Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide his response to a report (details supplied) concerning Ireland's implementation of the sustainable development goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30769/23]
View answerI am aware of this report which builds on a chapter that Coalition 2030 were invited to contribute to Ireland’s 2023 Voluntary National Review (VNR) which I look forward to delivering at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July.
Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out a bold vision for a safer, fairer, more prosperous and sustainable world by 2030. Ireland’s theme for the VNR is Building Back Better, while Leaving No One Behind, to reach the furthest behind first.
We have adopted a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to implementing the SDGs, by embedding a framework into national and local government work to ensure a coherent system-wide approach, as well as greater dialogue and joined-up thinking between policy makers across sectors.
Ireland’s first National Implementation Plan provided a framework for Ireland to work towards implementing the SDGs, including through the support of national policies which contribute to meeting the Goals, and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder participation.
The timing of this VNR coincides with Ireland’s second National Implementation Plan 2022 - 2024 for the SDGs building on the structures and mechanisms from the first Plan, developing and integrating additional approaches in areas identified through review and consultation that require further action.
As we enter the third Decade of Action for the SDGs, I recognise the urgency of moving into the next phase of implementation and the actions identified in the new Plan are essential to this transition.
