Commemorating United Nations Day: Accelerating Progress at SDG Halftime

COLOMBO, 24 OCTOBER 2023: At its commemoration of UN Day in Colombo on Tuesday, the United Nations in Sri Lanka emphasized the pressing need for accelerated action toward realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.

United Nations Day, celebrated annually, marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, the United Nations officially came into being.

As the cornerstone of the organization, the charter reflects a global commitment to peace, cooperation, human rights and development. Today, this commitment is embodied by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which together present a universal blueprint for a just, equitable, and sustainable future.

This year's theme, 'Accelerating Progress at SDG Halftime', highlighted the global urgency for transformative action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. With less than 15 per cent of the goals on track globally, it is a pivotal moment for the international community to recalibrate, refocus, and reinvigorate efforts towards our commitments outlined in the 2030 Agenda.

In Sri Lanka, multiple crises have resulted in regressions of several SDGs. The poverty rate has nearly doubled since the start of the economic crisis. Results from Sri Lanka’s first National Citizen Survey, launched by UNDP this year, suggest that more than half of the population is multidimensionally vulnerable.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche emphasized the role of the United Nations as a platform dialogue and international, cross-sectoral cooperation: “The United Nations or the international community cannot resolve Sri Lanka’s challenges. Sri Lankan authorities, leaders, civil society, and businesses have significant assets, knowledge, experience and resources to do so. However, the United Nations can serve as a strong platform for dialogue and cooperation and accompany these efforts. We can facilitate multilateral solutions that involve a wide range of stakeholders driving positive change.”

Acting State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya was present at the commemoration and took part in the ceremonial hoisting of the United Nations flag together with the Resident Coordinator. “United Nations Day provides an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Sri Lanka stands ready to work with the international community and the United Nations to overcome the challenges of our time”.

In his remarks, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe highlighted the long-standing partnership between the United Nations and Sri Lanka. “The United Nations has been a valued partner to Sri Lanka for decades, providing technical and financial support for our development initiatives. We deeply value this partnership and appreciate the continued efforts of the United Nations and its member states”, he said.

The State Minister of Finance also referenced the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which articulates the collective vision and contribution of the United Nations system to support Sri Lanka to accelerate actions towards the achievement of the SDGs. It is anchored in a rights-based approach and is underpinned by the principle of leaving no one behind as the country makes progress on all three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.

The United Nations Day event, featured an 'SDG Marketplace', showcasing various UN-supported projects and small businesses that are driving positive change in Sri Lanka. The projects serve as examples of combined efforts accelerating sustainable development in Sri Lanka.

With partners from various parts of Sri Lanka present, the projects reflected the possibilities of impactful collaboration between the United Nations, the Government of Sri Lanka, civil society, and the private sector.

With the 2030 deadline in sight, the United Nations Day commemoration in Colombo underlined the importance of cross-cutting efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.