Mit „mutigen, ehrgeizigen, beschleunigten, gerechten und transformativen Maßnahmen“ wollen die UN-Mitgliedstaaten dafür sorgen, dass die Nachhaltigkeitsziele der Agenda 2030 doch noch bis zum Ende des Jahrzehnts erreicht werden. So ist es in der politischen Erklärung zum New Yorker Nachhaltigkeitsgipfel zu lesen, der am Dienstag zu Ende ging. Die Erklärung soll ein Signal des Aufbruchs und des Zusammenhalts der Weltgemeinschaft in Zeiten der vielen Krisen und großer Zerwürfnisse sein.
Criticism came from non-governmental organizations: „We do not need any more politically watered-down statements of intent, we need concrete political decisions and the responsibility to implement them,“ said Georg Schwede, Europe representative of Campaign for Nature. Welthungerhilfe and Misereor lamented that it is not an encouraging sign if the future federal budget plans to allocate 15 percent less for development cooperation.
Vage Pläne, wie man das Ziel erreichen will
The explanation for the Sustainability Summit is the response to a concerning mid-term assessment by the UN on the Agenda 2030. According to a UN report, only 15 percent of the 17 sustainability goals show sufficient progress. In the majority of cases, there is a significant lack of progress or even regression compared to 2015 when the Agenda 2030 was adopted. Nowadays, 745 million more people suffer from hunger compared to eight years ago.
„The realization of the Sustainable Development Goals is at risk,“ as acknowledged in the political declaration jointly prepared by Ireland and Qatar. A success recognized by the German government is that the signatory states reaffirm their determination to uphold the goals. „We remain committed to ending poverty and hunger everywhere by 2030,“ assure the signatory states. However, it remains vague how this goal will be achieved within the given timeframe. The mention is made of „national plans for transformative and accelerated actions“ that the states should now develop. Conflicting goals also need to be better addressed. On one hand, the aim is to „ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources,“ while also creating sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
Von der Leyen fordert Reform der multilateralen Entwicklungsbanken
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed being „very encouraged“, particularly by the commitment of the signatory states to grant improved access to financial resources for developing countries in order to achieve progress towards the sustainability goals. Guterres interpreted the declaration as „clear support“ for his demand to establish an effective debt relief mechanism and provide 500 billion euros annually for financing the sustainability goals.
However, the statement does not contain any specific financial commitments, but only the assurance to push forward the Secretary-General’s proposal „promptly“. „However, public funds alone are not sufficient,“ emphasized EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New York. „We must utilize all conceivable options to ensure that new capital flows into developing countries. The reform of multilateral development banks must be the top priority.“
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasized in his speech at the Sustainability Summit that the international financial architecture needs to be reformed. This is also being urged by development aid and environmental organizations. If implemented consistently, according to Schwede from Campaign for Nature, this would not only achieve concrete progress in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, but also in combating poverty, hunger, and other global challenges addressed by the Agenda 2030.