About: SDGs
Europe needs a new governance mechanism for sustainability
The European Union unveiled a strategy last week to become the world's first climate neutral economy by 2050, generating a positive momentum ahead of the COP24 in Katowice, writes Luca Jahier.
A new political momentum on water diplomacy in the EU?
The conclusions agreed by EU foreign ministers on the importance of water in foreign policy are welcome but must be backed by actions, says Sophie Aujean.
European Parliament sounds the alarm over developing world debt crisis
The number of poor countries facing major debt crises has doubled since 2013, and only 1 in 5 are now considered to be at low risk of crisis. With some countries in the midst of crisis and others on the brink, meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a pipe dream, writes Mark Perera.
Another environmental catastrophe is looming in Central Asia
The EU as a soft power should convince other donors to make the funds available to decontaminate old uranium mines in Central Asia, writes Adrian De Meer.
Africa’s young people need inspirational leaders, not old autocrats
Investing in youth is essential for Africa’s future, but what's even more essential is to let inspirational and transformational leaders to come forth, writes Shada Islam.
Circular economy success needs more than ambitious policies
Voluntary agreements are hardly a new concept but industry action on this front can drive real progress, particularly when it comes to the circular economy, writes MEP Martina Dlabajová.
All fish sold in the EU must be of high standard
The European Commission needs to work out more effective rules to ensure that only fish meeting high social and environmental standards can enter the EU market, as well as a better implementation of the EU control regime in general, argue Linnéa Engström and Javier Garat.
SDGs can be a test for European public-private partnerships
Sustainable Development Goals pose a considerable test for governments and EU institutions. Yet in a world in which the corporate sector is likely to enjoy greater agency, there is a concomitant opportunity to use the SDG process as a trial for European diplomacy, argue Jan Melissen and Ries Kamphof.
Taking stock of 2030 Agenda: Are we making progress with integrated implementation?
There is no planet B. Humanity needs to acknowledge this and work together to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, in a relatively short space of time, write Hannah Janetschek and Imme Scholz.
EXPO 2017 in Astana will contribute to global sustainable development
Staging such an important exhibition as EXPO 2017 in Kazakhstan will accelerate our transition to a modern and sustainable economy, writes Kairat Abdrakhamanov. EXPO 2017 taking place from 10 June to 10 September 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Its theme is "Future Energy".
EU takes the helm in a year of ocean mobilisation
2017 will be remembered as the turning point in how the international community works together to protect the ocean, write Karmenu Vella and Isabella Lövin.
The EU must forge a European strategy for sustainable development
The UN's 2030 Agenda is absent from the White Paper on the Future of Europe. The Commission should lead by example and mainstream sustainable development across all EU programmes, policies and financial instruments, writes Luca Jahier.
Health leadership in a multipolar world: A view from Europe
Europe is still the most powerful international player in global health. But in an increasingly multipolar world, where differences between the developing and developed health worlds are dissolving, the way we look at global health is outdated, writes Johanna Ralston.
Germany’s plan for development effectiveness
The goal of Germany’s Marshall Plan for Africa is sustainable development on the continent within the scope of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Plan should take development to the next level, write Alexandra Rudolph and Sarah Holzapfel.
Time for everyone to sign up for strong ocean governance
There is currently no legal mechanism for creating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the high seas. A proposed agreement by the UN looks to rectify that, writes Sophie Mirgaux.
UN development goals should be put at heart of the European project
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals address all the issues that are all-important to EU citizens. But the clock is rapidly ticking down to the 2030 deadline. That is why Céline Charveriat is calling for a European SDG roadmap.
Linking aid effectiveness with the 2030 Agenda: Three steps
As a common framework between industrialised, emerging and developing countries, the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) offer an opportunity to revitalise the aid effectiveness agenda, write Sarah Holzapfel and Alexandra Rudolph.
EU’s New Consensus on Development needs support
With national discourse becoming increasingly insular, few politicians are brave enough to make the case for multilateralism on the domestic stage. But the need for multilateral action and effective support of development and growth outside Europe has never been greater, argues Werner Hoyer.
The EU must take the lead in linking agricultural trade to the SDGs
Trade in agriculture and agricultural products is back in the political spotlight as the WTO's 2013 Trade Facilitation Agreement, the first multilateral trade agreement of this century, enters into force,, writes Jonathan Peel.
EU must tackle homelessness to achieve SDGs
In order to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, Europe has to leave homelessness – not homeless people – behind, writes Ruth Owen.
Commission’s Sustainable Development Package must be taken further
The EU will not meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals without rethinking its approach to individual targets. So far, this has not happened, writes Damien Demailly.
Agenda for Sustainable Development: What are the EU’s ambitions?
How the EU intends to respond to global challenges and reform its own policies under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains tellingly unclear, write Christine Hackenesch and Niels Keijzer.
Europe has the potential to end HIV and AIDS by 2030
On World AIDS Day, many are hopeful that it will be possible to eliminate a killer disease that is set to affect more than one billion people by 2030, writes Cecile Vernant.