GEOPOLITICS and structural imbalances are adding to the global mix of crises, necessitating urgency in action to meet Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs, adopte

GEOPOLITICS and structural imbalances are adding to the global mix of crises, necessitating urgency in action to meet Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs, adopted in 2015, are a set of 17 goals that provide a blueprint for achieving equality, reducing poverty, and seeking universal human rights for all by 2030.

All 191 UN member states have agreed to try and achieve the 169 targets by 2030. While the self-consciously ambitious SDGs have achieved some success, there is a high risk that most of the goals designed for people, prosperity, the planet, peace, and partnerships will remain unmet.

The $2.5 trillion annual SDG investment gap will affect vulnerable countries more acutely. By all estimates, at the current rate of investment, it will be impossible to meet the SDGs by 2030. 

The goals set eight years ago, with a view to addressing the urgent environmental, political, and economic challenges facing our planet are in dire straits. 

For Pakistan, trapped in economic low growth, high inflation, unemployment, falling investments, excessive fiscal deficits, and deteriorating external balancing position, the inability to meet targets will plunge the country into a deeper crisis.

The demographic distribution of the population with four per cent falling in the over 65-year age bracket and 60pc belonging to the 15-64-year age cohort, adds to the volatile mix of high youth expectation and low country capacity to deliver. 

One major challenge with the SDGs is that they are often seen as a top-down approach with governments, organizations, and corporations making SDG implementation decisions without necessarily involving the communities they are meant to benefit. 

This dilutes understanding and decreases buy-in from communities, resulting in imp­lementation that does not suit local needs. 

Local communities must be involved in making decisions.

Pakistan joined the OGP at the OGP summit in Paris in 2016, but no action has been taken since to formalize the agreement. 

The citizen-centric approach of OGP can promote participation in the development and implementation of government policies and programs, aligning action with achievement, monitoring progress, and setting realistic goals for scaling ambition.

This approach is well suited for localizing SDGs and enhancing collaboration with civil society organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders in developing innovative solutions to complex development challenges.

The SDGs are linked closely to climate commitments. Achieving both is important for a safe future. Democratizing SDGs will optimize their full potential and ensure that governments are accountable to citizens and that their actions are in line with the SDGs. 

Meeting the SDGs will pave the way for a more equitable future. Missing them will fast-track our descent into disarray. 

This Article is written by Aisha Khan who is the Chief Executive of the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change. 

Democratizing SDGs and Pakistan

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