17 Sep 2023

United Nations has proposed a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) stimulus that will provide US$5 billion annually for sustainable development and climate action in developing countries.

UN secretary general Mr Antonio Guterres revealed this in his address at the G77+China Summit in Havana, Cuba on Friday, where he further appealed to leaders from the G77 developing countries and China to fight for a world that worked for all.

“The world needs climate justice more than it needs financial justice,” he said. As such, Mr Guterres was optimistic that the upcoming UN Summit would be able to bring hope towards addressing climate challenges.

He applauded efforts that were made to support the global south in the international arena.

Mr Guterres also said the UN had developed a Global Digital Compact aimed at securing a just transition to a digital economy and ensuring that everyone benefited in the new technological era.

Mr Guterres said it was important to focus on the scientific and technological divide between  rich and poor countries and how it impacted on the development agenda.

He urged all to champion a system rooted in equality and ready to reverse the injustice and neglect of centuries. 

Although having been able to lift millions out of dire poverty, Mr Guterres said they were now faced with a myriad of challenges as well as rising poverty, hunger, and climatic challenges.

He told G77 member states that despite having been failed by the world, developing countries must act for change for the attainment of sustainable development goals.

Reflecting on the theme of the summit, he said science, technology and innovation could work in promoting solidarity, bringing solutions to common problems and helping in achieving SDGs.

Mr Guterres also stated that many of the developing countries were unable to achieve what they aspired for due to financial challenges, which were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He added that the situation resulted in some developing countries failing to settle their debts.

Giving the welcome remarks, Cuba President Mr Miguel Diaz-Canel said statistics had shown that 84 million children were at risk of being out of school by the end of 2023 and that over 660 million people in the world were without electricity.

Mr Diaz-Canel said the challenges were worsened by the advancing digital technology. 

“Science, technology and innovation have reached the unimaginable and therefore in conditions of greater equality and justice they can ensure more dignified and comfortable lives for the population on the entire planet,” he said.

Mr Diaz-Canel said science and technology played a transcendental role in promoting productivity and efficiency, creating added value, humanising working conditions, promoting wellbeing and guaranteeing development. ENDS