The Geneva SDG Day, on October 28, co-organized by the Geneva Graduate Institute, SDG Lab, and UNDP, featured, among different activities, a ‘hot seat’ intergenerational dialogue between youth leaders and leaders from International Geneva to reflect on advancing SDG commitments.
Titled "Keeping Commitments for a Sustainable Future: The Road to 2030 and Beyond", discussants were invited to answer questions that students from Swiss universities posed regarding the pressing challenges associated with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The event covered a wide range of topics, from the hurdles faced by vulnerable countries and their governments in achieving the SDGs, to the role of the private sector and policy decisions.
Assisting governments facing internal challenges came at the top of the list. As highlighted by the Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Ambassador Matthew Wilson, governments grappling with internal hurdles may feel unable to make meaningful progress towards the SDGs, fostering a sense of powerlessness. A more localized approach to the SDGs is needed to assist them. Moreover, a shift towards prioritizing results over strategies should be achieved.
On the same note, Ambassador Wilson, also noted that while citizens of large economies may embrace the degrowth concept, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are unable to adopt such a growth approach. Instead, he argued that the SIDS would benefit more from policies that promote inclusivity and sustainability in production, consumption, and living. The growth path of each country should be linked to its particularities and achieved status if fairness is to be maintained.
Mitigating climate change effects through SDGs was also a central theme of the discussion. Climate change has had dire consequences, especially for Small Island Developing States. Ambassador Wilson noted how the SDGs provide a platform for SIDS to advocate for their unique challenges and achieve progress. Through the lens of the SDGs, the stories of vulnerable states are amplified, creating awareness of the urgent need for action. Furthermore, he argued that the focus should be on adaptation, rather than mitigation.
As far as promoting sustainable innovations is concerned, the Director of Fongit, Mr. Antonio Gambardella, stated that companies and start-ups addressing the SDGs currently find themselves in an advantageous position, both in terms of investor preference and long-term success. The SDGs represent a "mega trend," and therefore start-ups and businesses should align with them, as investors are inclined to support the SDGs.
Regarding efforts to deter 'SDG washing', Ms. Özge Aydoğan, the Director of the SDG Lab, emphasized the importance of accountability mechanisms to ensure genuine contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Finally, the Director of the UNDP Office in Geneva, Ms. Agi Veres, touched upon the subject of encouraging private sector engagement in the SDGs. She underscored that a major challenge regarding SDG investments that needs to be overcome is monitoring and measuring the impact of such investments. Standardized metrics and transparency would ensure that investments genuinely contribute to the desired goals. Nevertheless, one should be cautious about imposing global standards, as this may exclude developing countries from benefiting from investments.
The distinguished guests who participated in the discussion about the future and the challenges of the SDGs included:
- Aydoğan Özge, Director, SDG Lab
- Burhan Haore, master's student in International and Development Studies at the Geneva Graduate Institute
- Faura Rosendo Mañas, master's student in Microengineering at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Gambardella Antonio, Director, Fongit
- Veres Agi, Director, UNDP Representation Office Geneva
- Wilson Matthew Anthony, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations Office at Geneva
- Wyden Ines Morales, Double Degree master's student in European Affairs and International Affairs at Sciences Po Paris and the University of St. Gallen,
The conversation was moderated by Monique Beerli, Senior Lecturer at the University of Geneva.