Why we need urgent action now to save the Sustainable Development Goals
UN Trade and Development Podcast features Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign
Are we on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? As part of their 60th anniversary, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently featured a special episode with Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, on their podcast The Weekly Tradecast which explores how major economic events are affecting developing countries and the lives of billions of people.
Discover why transformative change is both necessary and possible, how the international financial system can be reformed, and why a shift in how we measure progress could reshape our future. Marina Ponti shares her optimistic vision for a world where hope drives action and where everyone has the chance to thrive. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion on how we can get back on track towards the SDGs.
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A Vision for the Future
In 2015, UN member states committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ending extreme poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all by 2030.
“The SDGs cover people’s aspirations. They represent the vision for a future which is sustainable, which is fair, and which is peaceful.” — Marina Ponti
Despite the clear roadmap, achieving these targets requires unprecedented levels of cooperation and significant financial investment.
Current Challenges and the Need for Change
The world is currently off track in meeting many of these goals. Conflicts, climate change, and growing inequalities present formidable obstacles. Ms. Ponti highlights the importance of restructuring our economic systems to prioritize people and the planet over profits.
“What’s happening now is that our economic system is not promoting people and the planet, but it’s actually undermining and exploiting them for economic return. We need to make sure that the economic system serves people and the planet, and not the other way around.” — Marina Ponti
One of the critical hurdles is the outdated international financial architecture, which Marina argues needs reform to ensure fairer distribution of resources and opportunities.
“The current international financial architecture, designed 80 years ago, is unfit to ensure a stable and fair system. We need to address this to give opportunity and a voice to everyone.” — Marina Ponti
The Power of People, Leadership and Hope
Marina is optimistic about the potential for change, citing the resilience and determination of individuals and communities as key drivers.
“I believe that power and change can come from people. This is all the [UN SDG Action Campaign] is about, to inspire people to choose to hope first and to choose to take action. Hope is not naive. Hope is brave. Hope makes us take an action, take choices, how we how we consume, what we say, how we include other, how we think of others.” — Marina Ponti
She stresses the importance of leadership from both powerful and less powerful countries working together to address root causes of inequality and to drive progress towards the SDGs.
Looking Ahead: The Summit of the Future
Marina also looks forward to the upcoming Summit of the Future in September, which will address essential reforms in the international financial system.
“The Summit of the Future is crucial for addressing the reform of the international financial architecture. We need to push governments to cooperate rather than compete, and to think of future generations.” — Marina Ponti
Marina Ponti shares a powerful reminder of the importance of the SDGs and the collective effort. Her call to action is clear: we all have a role to play in building a sustainable future.
Tune in to the full episode of The Weekly Tradecast to hear more from Marina Ponti and to learn how you can take action on the Sustainable Development Goals.
