Discussion on SDGs tops High-Level Forum in New York

Our Parliament needs good data in order to discuss Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) progresses and there’s a need to ensure we maintain constant focus on such goals.

These were the words of the Speaker Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni while addressing the 2018 United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals yesterday.

Hon. Dr Luveni said Fiji had participated in the forum with eagerness and made firm commitments towards the SDGs.

“Within one year of acceptance by the General Assembly of the Global Goals, we have used the SDGs as the framework to define our country’s vision,” she said.

“Fiji’s making sustained progress across all the SDGs. We are confident that we will meet all SDGs by 2030. But in getting there, along with many other countries, we do face hurdles and challenges.”

Beyond finances, Hon. Dr Luveni said the UN needed to work with urgency on reducing risks to the SDGs.

“Climate Change poses an existential threat to Fiji and many island states. We are at the forefront against climate change. The adverse impacts of severe weather, frequent flooding destroy out agriculture and livelihoods,” she said.

“We need to speed up progress. Innovations in financing, new technologies, domestic and global partnerships are needed more than ever before.

“To ensure that we maintain sustained focus on the SDGs – our parliaments have a pivotal role to play. They need good data in order to discuss progress. They need to engage fully with the SDGs.

“Fiji warmly welcomes and looks forward to supporting our declaration and its call for stepping up our efforts through bold actions to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”

Ends.