The 2022 SDG Moment highlights partnerships that are scaling up solutions for people and for the planet
Held annually, the SDG Moment is an opportunity to spotlight the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focus on our progress and show us the path to keep the promise of the 2030 Agenda. The 2022 SDG Moment featured world leaders, activists, philanthropists, business leaders, and artists calling for urgent action to tackle the world’s challenges, end poverty and hunger, reduce inequalities, and take climate action.
Nature’s inspiration, our innovation:
To kick off the SDG Moment, audiences in-person and online witnessed immersive projections from the creative partners behind Expo2020 Dubai. The visuals illustrated the wonders of people and planet, and called for the urgent need to act as united forces of nature to create a better future. There is no time to waste.
Solidarity to overcome crises
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Priyanka Chopra Jonas hosted the SDG Moment. In the past year alone we have witnessed conflict, climate catastrophes, division, discrimination, rising costs of living, massive displacement and the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “These crises did not happen by chance but they can be fixed with a plan. We have that plan: the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a To-Do List for the world,” said Chopra Jonas.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on the Member States and all those tuning in online to get back on track to building a better world that leaves no one behind. “The perils we face are no match for a world united. Let’s get to work,” said Guterres.
Stocktaking the SDGs: Where are we now?
We have 8 years left in the Decade of Action. In order to move forward with the 2030 Agenda, we must look back at the visible and invisible gaps affecting humanity and the environment. The UN, together with the ACNE creative team at Deloitte, produced a film showing the truthful state of our world and inspiring new ways to flip orthodoxies and invest in our collective futures. Watch the film, narrated by actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Nomzamo Mbatha:
The World’s To-Do List
The Co-Chairs of the SDG Advocates, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau brought to light the essential roles we all have in getting the World’s To-Do List done and making the world a better place.
“We want you my friends, the children of this world, to hold us, the governments accountable. And to recognize that we do have choice and leaders can make decisions, and leaders are not constrained in the decisions that we make. And that not everything depends on financing–although it is absolutely critical,” said Mottley.
Finding solutions to inequalities
The SDG Moment highlighted innovative solutions through discussions between UN leaders, civil society members, business leaders, and youth. Panelists expressed how all the SDGs are interconnected and investing in women and girls is key to accelerating the SDGs i.
“Women are force multipliers. When they have their full decision-making authority, they have their bodily autonomy and they fully participate in society–everything gets better,” said Melinda Gates. Business as usual no longer works. Keeping the promise of the 2030 Agenda requires solidarity, commitments, global partnerships, representation and leadership.
Poet and activist Amanda Gorman created an original poem with themes on the human condition, resilience, hope, and unity. She challenged all those watching to do good so the world might be great. Watch Gorman deliver the powerful poem, “An Ode We Owe” at the SDG Moment here.
Climate action now
We are experiencing a triple environmental crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution right now. Young people have been sounding the alarm and leading on the front lines to mobilize for our planet.
“The climate crisis is getting worse. There isn’t a single moment to lose.” SDG Advocates BLACKPINK shared their journey of learning and invited fans around the world to join them. Watch their call for climate action here.
Climate catastrophes are wake up calls for us to speed up the shift to renewables and cut global emissions. Experts at the SDG Moment discussed a new era of implementing commitments made in the Paris Agreement and financing to build a sustainable planet.
The path to transforming the future
Despite the difficulties we face in our world today, speakers and performers at the SDG Moment showed us that each individual has the agency to help deliver the SDGs. We have the resources and the solutions to transform our future.
Watch the full 2022 SDG Moment, concluding with a special musical performance by Judith Hill and film on the World’s To-Do List from Project Everyone:
About the United Nations Office for Partnerships
Established in 1998 as the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships, UN Partnerships catalyzes and co-creates collaborations for the UN system that accelerate solutions to deliver the SDGs. The Office serves as the integrated gateway for public and private collaboration on sustainable development, consistent with the sovereignty of UN Member States and provisions of the UN Charter.
Working at the local, national, regional and global levels to provide space for collective action and delivery, its goal is to strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation and enhance coordination between the UN and actors from all sectors.
For more information, follow @UN_Partnerships on Twitter and visit our website at unpartnerships.un.org.