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Why multi-stakeholder partnerships matter

The last of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) acts as the engine for the entire framework: It is only though revitalizing the global partnership for development that the means of implementation for the other 16 goals can be strengthened. To ensure the Goals are met globally by 2030, all countries must work together to implement them.

Governments are called upon to implement SDGs in national plans, policies, and laws, while ensuring equitable participation of all concerned stakeholder groups. For individuals, community work and getting involved with aid organizations is a great way to start. Just like the public sector and civil society, the private sector plays a crucial role. Businesses have massive potential and an ongoing responsibility to create lasting change. Sustainability at a corporate level has become a strategic priority for companies to seize opportunities, reduce cost, and build competitive edge while driving impactful action for people and planet.

Global targets and progress

The scope of SDG 17 is vast. It includes financial aspects like resource mobilization including ODA and FDI with a focus on least developed countries, policies related to long-term debt sustainability of low-income countries (through financing, relief and restructuring of debt), and the reduction of trade tensions and barriers. Bridging the digital divide and strengthening monitoring and evaluation capacities to secure crucial data are equally important.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships will be vital to leverage the inter-linkages between the SDGs, enhancing their effectiveness and impact and accelerating progress in achieving the Goals.

UAE demonstrates strong performance

The UAE is leading in SDG 17, having fully achieved the goal according to SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2018. In 2016 and 2017 respectively, the UAE contributed 0.36% and 0.28% of its GNI as Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Least Developed Countries, thus excelling on the respective UN’s target that typically ranges from 0.15% to 0.20%. In 2018, the UAE maintained its rank as the world’s largest donor of ODA for the fifth consecutive year. Further, to mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation set up a solutions-driven dialogue with key actors from the UAE private sector and development community to mobilize resources for women’s empowerment.

The way forward

In light of the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that strengthening multilateralism and global partnerships are more important than ever to recover from the pandemic’s multidimensional consequences. The SDGs remain the framework for “building back better”. It is crucial that all sectors come together: governments, civil society, scientists, academia, and the private sector – to ensure countries have the means to achieve the SDGs.

The need for impactful business action

2021 marks the onset of the UN “Decade of Action” to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. At Goumbook we embrace a hopeful vision that the transformation of the world imagined in the SDGs can be achieved, and that the justification for doing so now is stronger than ever before. Now is the right time to launch our Global Goals Partnership program which supports committed organizations to channel their power to act on the Goals – and inspire others to do the same. The program focuses on awareness, action, and collaboration in support of SDGs and is open to all corporate entities regardless of their progress along the sustainability journey. Contact us for more information on ask@goumbook.com.