Sustainable Development Takes Center Stage at the United Nations
from The Internationalist and International Institutions and Global Governance Program

Sustainable Development Takes Center Stage at the United Nations

As the United States abdicates leadership in sustainable development, subnational actors and the world's youth are taking the reins in addressing global challenges.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on the Malizia II racing yacht as she nears the completion of her transatlantic crossing in order to attend the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, on August 28, 2019.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on the Malizia II racing yacht as she nears the completion of her transatlantic crossing in order to attend the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, on August 28, 2019. Mike Segar/Reuters

In my weekly column for World Politics Review, I assess the state of global sustainable development in anticipation of next week's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development meeting during the UN General Assembly.

In September 2015, the member states of the United Nations unanimously endorsed a blueprint to guide global development efforts through 2030, known as the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Next week, world leaders will evaluate progress on the guidelines, together known as the “2030 Agenda,” when they convene in New York for the annual opening of the UN General Assembly.

Their assessment will be bleak. No country is on track to achieve all of the SDGs, and the United States, a traditional leader on global development, has abdicated this role under President Donald Trump. Those seeking inspiration will need to look beyond—and below—sovereign governments, to global cities and the world’s youth.

More on:

Development

Sustainable Development Goals (UN)

United Nations

Global Governance

Nongovernmental Organizations

Read the full World Politics Review article here.
 

More on:

Development

Sustainable Development Goals (UN)

United Nations

Global Governance

Nongovernmental Organizations

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