Belize Recommits to Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations Member States have eight more years to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In 2015, member states adopted seventeen goals as part of the 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals are all integrated and they act as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.  Progress has been recorded in many countries, but there is a concern that actions are not yet advancing at a speed that will realize these goals by 2030. Today, the Government of Belize hosted an SDG Partnership Dialogue to increase its collaborative efforts with stakeholders and to identify and prioritize the country’s commitments ahead of the SDG summit this September in New York.

Orlando Habet

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“As we move forward let us reflect on a few guiding principles in paving the way forward and guide our actions, looking at inclusivity and equity, we pledge to ensure that the benefits of our progress reach all Belizeans, regardless of their background, location or circumstances. We will focus on reducing inequalities, empowering marginalized communities and creating opportunities for every citizen to thrive. The SDGs reminds us that no single entity, be it a government, business or civil society organization can address these complex challenges in isolation. The spirit of the 2030 Agenda calls for collaboration, innovation and a collective sense of responsibility. We must cultivate and ecosystem where partnerships flourish, where ideas and resources are shared and where diverse perspectives converge to drive change.”

Raul Salazar

Raul Salazar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Belize

“Only twelve percent of the assessable SDG targets are on track and there is a report on regression in the progress on an average of four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic itself. So, this raises the context of a challenge in all countries to see how we are going to accelerate the pace of the Sustainable Development Goals, how we are going to get to that target of 2030. One of the things that the Secretary General is calling is want to find ways to first to commit, or bring countries to commit in September in the SGD Summit, and Belize is going to be a participating country, the Prime Minister and also representatives from the ministries.”