7 Reasons to Feel Good About the World, Thanks to the Recent U.N. Summit
Over the weekend, 193 world leaders met at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit to adopt a new agenda that will eradicate poverty and hunger, fight inequality, and tackle climate change. Known as the Sustainable Development Goals, which will replace the Millennium Development Goals, the new list sets the bar high for global progress by 2030.
The three-day summit was full of monetary commitments, music acts, inspirational speeches, and more. International pop stars and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Shakira and Angélique Kidjo performed, major funding announcements were made, and new partnerships were created. Here are seven highlights from one of the most important weekends for global development.
1. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals Were Presented
The United Nations Secretariat Building in New York was illuminated with projections of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals on Friday evening as a special way to kick off the summit and visually share the goals, which include quality education, gender equality, and zero hunger, with the public.
2. Pope Francis Addressed the United Nations
As part of the opening on Friday evening, Pope Francis delivered a speech with an emphasis on the environment and climate change, income inequality, and ending human suffering. “We human beings are part of the environment,” the pope said. “Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm to humanity.”
3. Malala Yousafzai Emphasized the Importance of Unity
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist for female education Malala Yousafzai, along with 193 young people standing behind her, stressed the importance of everyone coming together to create change. “It’s me, it’s you, it’s all of us who have to bring the change,” she said, as the youths behind her held lanterns displaying the number of countries represented at the summit.
RELATED: Malala Yousafzai and Ben Affleck Tell Global Leaders: Get It Together
4. $25 Billion Was Pledged for the Well-Being of Women and Children
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the launch of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, which will commit at least $25 billion to help end preventable deaths of women and children and to ensure their well-being. “[The strategy], which I am proud to launch today, will help to build resilient and healthy societies. We have shown that our partnership can yield concrete results. I, and the entire U.N. system, remain dedicated to saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable amongst us,” said Ban.
5. U.S. to Invest $500 Million for AIDS Prevention
The Obama administration announced that almost $500 million will be invested in AIDS prevention among girls and women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries.
6. New Partnership Will Support Better Health Care Data Around the World
A new partnership was announced in support of improving health conditions around the world. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with the World Bank and the World Health Organization, will focus on strengthening the monitoring, tracking, and sharing of performance measurements by primary health care providers. Though many developing countries consider primary health care a major priority, many lack the data to show where they are suffering. By improving their measurement methods, countries will better understand their weaknesses and make informed decisions.
7. World Bank Commits $15 Billion to Support Clean Water and Sanitation
At the "Global Citizen" concert on Saturday, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim announced a commitment of $15 billion in support of Global Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all. Over the next five years, this funding will go toward water and sanitation programs and is expected to reach 150 million people.
After a successful three days of goal setting, commitments, and Global Goal selfies, what’s next? In March 2016, countries will come together to agree on indicators for monitoring the progress on the 17 Global Goals.
Related stories on TakePart:
• Michelle Obama Wants Your Next Selfie to Support Girls’ Education
• Pope Schools Congress on What It Means to Be ‘for the People’
Original article from TakePart
