Acting Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, made a bold promise to the people of Samoa.
“Looking ahead, I want to see a more resilient country,” he declared.
“I want to see every man, woman and child in Samoa enjoy a prosperous life by 2030."
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“If we each step up, we can achieve it. So let future generations look back and say that they inherited a better world because - at this critical moment - we did not shrink from our responsibilities."
“Let them say that we rose to the challenge, that we kept our promise.”
Fonotoe made the promise during the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (S.D.Gs) and the 2030 Agenda at the United Nations headquarters in Samoa at Matautu.
The S.D.Gs and the 2030 Agenda is a plan of action, which targets prosperity for close to eight billion people in the world – including more than 180,000 Samoans living in Samoa.
The plan was adopted by the United Nations in New York during the weekend. It was done so by the 193 Member States of the United Nations – including Samoa - at the start of a three-day Summit held at the UN Headquarters. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, is attending the meeting.
Titled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the agenda includes seventeen goals that will help to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and fix climate change over 15 years.
“The Government of Samoa warmly welcomes the Sustainable Development Goals,” Fonotoe said yesterday.
“The agreed outcome of the International Conference on S.I.D.S last year, the S.A.M.O.A Pathway, categorically affirmed the commitment of our nation to sustainable development.
“Hence, is a privilege to be here today to reaffirm this commitment and political will in promoting the vision of the S.D.Gs and moving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development forward.”
According to the Acting Prime Minister, with 17 goals and 169 targets, the numbers can be daunting.
“But the good news is that the S.D.Gs build on the gains and lessons we have accrued from the M.D.Gs. And the Millennium Development Goals (M.D.Gs) have shown us how the world can come together around shared aims.
“It now remains on us to draw inspiration from what we have achieved, and continue to forge ahead to realize the grand blueprint we have laid out to building a more peaceful, inclusive and just world.”
So how can this be achieved?
Fonotoe called for a broad alliance.
"People, the Governments, the United Nations, civil society and the private sector need to work together,” he said.
“It is with the support of all stakeholders and through durable and meaningful partnerships that we will be able to address vulnerability and advance in the implementation of this very comprehensive agenda. No sector acting alone can achieve the goals for humanity.
“Today marks and historic turning point for the world and the Sustainable Development Goals should become a priority for everyone, for each person and every organisation present in this room.”
“In this new era of development, our country has a very significant role to play.”
“Samoa and Fiji are the only two Pacific country members of the United Nations Inter Agency expert group that is developing global indicators that will measure the progress of the SDGs.”
“We are expected to submit their report by March next year.”
“Lastly, I can confirm that the Samoan Government will continue to hold to its commitments and support the positive and transformative vision of the Sustainable Development Goals with consistent, prompt and long term action, particularly on climate change.”
The new Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms] everywhere.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages.
4. Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Conserve and sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
15. Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
16. Promote just, peaceful and inclusive socieites
17. Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.
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