For ‘lasting results’

Across the globe, world leaders are getting ready to adopt the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are essentially an agreed vision to put people and planet on a sustainable path by 2030.

This will form the bedrock of a new development agenda that can set the world on a course of action to end poverty, transform lives and protect the planet.

In Jordan, we are looking forward to embarking with our government, civil society, private sector and community partners, supported by our development partners, on projects that will contribute to achieving the SDGs.

The goals spell out how we work together to promote dignity, equality, justice, shared prosperity and well-being for all, while protecting the environment.

We are the first generation that can end poverty and the last one that can avoid the worst effects of climate change.

I have learned from my work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that setting goals and targets works.

For example, in Tafileh we supported over 3,000 youth to gain access to employment support services. 

Also, 10,000 people benefited from income-generating activities in the entire Kingdom in the past three years. We look forward to continuing our work in the years to come.

Globally, millions of people’s lives have improved due to concerted efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which serve as the foundation for the next global development agenda.

MDG targets of reducing poverty, increasing access to improved drinking water sources, improving the lives of slum dwellers and achieving gender parity in primary school have already been met.

In Jordan, there have been accomplishments across the board and for all goals: to eradicate poverty and hunger, to achieve universal basic education, to promote gender equality, to improve child and maternal health, to ensure environmental sustainability and to build partnerships for development.

Jordan has effectively achieved MDG2 — ensuring that all children enrol in basic school, through provision of basic education opportunities to all school-age children.

Jordan has made significant achievements in combating poverty and hunger not only per the international standard of $1 a day per capita, but also in relation to the national poverty lines. The percentage of population below the abject poverty line was reduced by more than half between 1992 and 2008, from 6.6 per cent to less than 1 per cent.

Over the past 20 years, the likelihood of a child dying before age five has been cut nearly in half. 

Globally, the maternal mortality ratio dropped by nearly half.

Enormous progress has been made, showing the value of a unifying agenda underpinned by goals and targets. Yet despite this progress, the indignity of poverty has not been ended for all.

That is why these 17 new goals will continue this journey towards progress for everyone that aims to go even farther to focus on ending poverty, hunger and major health problems, as well as break new ground by setting goals and targets on inequalities, economic growth, decent jobs, energy, climate change, and peace and justice, among others.

UNDP together with the rest of the UN system is poised to support countries and partner with all stakeholders to make significant progress on the new SDGs in Jordan.

I believe we will achieve substantial results by taking on the many interconnected challenges we face together.

Taking action to achieve the global goals and building greater shared prosperity is in everybody’s best interest and provides enormous investment opportunities that will benefit all peoples and the planet.

Success in this new ambitious agenda for global action will be driven by leaders, governments and people, especially at local levels. The goals should matter to all of us, and we all have a shared responsibility for our future.

Let us focus on our shared problems and work on overcoming the common problems all countries face. With new, interconnected SDGs that apply to all, we can go much further to end all forms of poverty, ensure that no one is left behind, tackle unsustainable practices and chart a dignified future for all peoples in all countries.

UNDP is a natural partner for landing the SDGs at the country level that plans to take the lessons learned from the MDGs and apply and adapt them to the SDGs.

UNDP stands ready to support Jordan as it develops its plans for making the SDGs a reality.

We will work closely with the government, our development partners and donors, the private sector, the civil society and many other partners in Jordan to strive to achieve lasting results for peoples and the planet.

The writer is United Nations Development Programme country director. She contributed this article to The Jordan Times.