Artwork by Jordana Angus
The Government has just released a report on the progress made in Australia on implementation of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://bit.ly/2JV66Rj). Together the 17 constitute the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to which Australia is one of 193 signatories.
The first four SDGs are:
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-Being, and
- Quality Education.
Together, the 17 are described as a “global blueprint for a sustainable future for our planet, our communities, our families and our economies”.
The Report ( a “Voluntary National Review”) is a ‘whole of Australia’ document, providing evidence of what the business sector, civil society, academia, communities and individuals are contributing to achievement of the SDGs, as well as governments.
It is the result of a range of activity, including outreach events, expert analysis, case studies and the 2018 SDG Summit.
It lists the Departments that have had the lead responsibility for Commonwealth Government input to the Report relating to each SDG. So, for example, the Department of Health led on input about SDG 3, for which the tagline is “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.
What’s important now is to be assured that those lead Departments will continue to promote active engagement of governments and other entities in the SDG for which they have special responsibility. For further progress to be made, responsible departments and other entities need to give the SDGs priority as frameworks within which their ongoing policy development and program management activity will sit.
The Report makes the point that being faithful to two mantras that are of particular resonance in Australia – ‘Caring for Country’ and ‘A fair go for all’ – would result in good progress towards several of the Goals.
This progress can be assisted through a range of means, including businesses adopting the SDGs into their operations; supporting the work of volunteers, youth, community and business networks; and through application of the expertise of national organisations like universities, libraries and scientific institutions.
The recently-released Report will be presented at a United Nations Forum in New York in July.
The Report is at https://bit.ly/2JV66Rj
The website is Australia SDGs website
Enquiries can be directed to 2030Agenda@dfat.gov.au
