Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
58. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of Ireland's role as a co-facilitator of the upcoming SDG summit; the specific actions his Department is taking to ensure the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, both domestically and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19891/23]
View answerIreland has adopted a whole-of-government approach to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Every Minister in government has responsibility for implementing relevant SDG targets. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government.
The Department of Foreign Affairs leads Ireland's international efforts toward the SDGs. The Government's international development policy, A Better World , fully integrates the SDGs. It prioritises reducing humanitarian need, supporting climate action, promoting gender equality and strengthening governance, with the overarching ambition to reach the furthest behind first.
Ireland will present our second Voluntary National Review of progress towards the SDGs at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York in July. The Review report will include a high-level data section and a more detailed appendix reporting on progress towards achieving the individual goals and targets.
In September, world leaders will meet at the SDG Summit in New York to review progress on the SDGs. The Summit is an opportunity to rebuild momentum towards the Goals. The Permanent Representatives of Ireland and Qatar to the UN are co-facilitating negotiations on the Political Declaration to be adopted at the Summit. The role of co-facilitator is to ensure the Declaration reflects a broad consensus among Member States.
Consultations began earlier this year, aiming to reach consensus on a final draft of the Declaration over the summer. The co-facilitators are working in a transparent and inclusive manner with UN member states, civil society and young people, academia and the private sector. Some common themes have emerged, including the importance of ensuring universality, leaving no one behind, the interconnectedness and indivisibility of the Goals, inclusiveness, and partnerships.
We are determined that the Declaration will give a clear statement of direction, galvanizing a shift from crisis response towards sustainable development. A strong outcome will also reaffirm the central role of multilateralism in finding solutions to the challenges our world is facing.
