UN Chief Implores World Leaders to Invest in SDGs

UN Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed the need to transform support for the SDG Stimulus “into real investments in developing countries.”

Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day SDG Summit at UN Headquarters, he called for establishing a Leaders Group that will develop clear steps to get funds flowing before the end of 2024.

"Leaders must turn commitments made at the Summit into concrete policies, budgets, investment portfolios, and actions. Additionally, they should strengthen support for action across six key SDG areas, namely food, energy, digitalization, education, social protection and jobs, and biodiversity," the UN Chief stressed.

Moreover, he advised them to “start planning now for massive increases in investments in social protection”, and to “bring to life” a global initiative to ensure an additional four billion people are covered by 2030.

“As the political declaration makes clear, it’s high time for developed countries to meet their Official Development Assistance target of 0.7 percent of gross national income,” he added.