Media Advisory
Upcoming SDG Summit to pivot world from confluence of crises to a more equal, resilient and prosperous future
Press briefing
15 September 2023, 10:00 am EDT
Live on UN WebTV
The SDG Summit on 18 to 19 September will be a defining moment for Heads of State and Government to deliver the bold commitments needed to urgently put the world back on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, an agreed plan of action adopted by the international community in 2015 to achieve a fair, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
With only seven years remaining for the implementation of the Goals, only 15 per cent of SDG targets are on track to being achieved. Against this sobering backdrop, the Summit will be an opportunity for all sectors of society to accelerate action on the SDGs.
World leaders are expected to make national commitments to SDG transformation, which includes setting benchmarks to reduce poverty and inequality by 2027. In addition to these national commitments, Heads of State and Government are also encouraged to deliver global commitments that would strengthen international cooperation and support for developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable countries.
A robust, negotiated political declaration, to be adopted at the opening of the Summit, will provide clear guidance on the transformative, accelerated actions necessary to achieve a more sustainable world by 2030.
The opening of the Summit will also feature statements by the President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the Economic and Social Council Paula Narvaéz.
Press briefing
Who
- Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General
- Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP)
- Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action
Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
What: Preview of the SDG Summit and the High-Level Week of 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78)
When: 15 September 2023, 10:00 am EDT
Where: SDG Pavilion, United Nations HQ, North Lawn or follow live on UN WebTV
OTHER KEY EVENTS
SDG Action Weekend, 16-17 September
As a precursor to the SDG Summit, an SDG Action Weekend on 16 to 17 September will seek to deepen the engagement of all stakeholders in driving SDG transformation between now and 2030. The SDG Mobilization Day on Saturday 16 September will be an opportunity to mobilise all sectors of society to make meaningful contributions to SDG implementation. The SDG Acceleration Day on 17 September will focus on UN High-Impact Initiatives across 12 key areas. These initiatives, spearheaded by the UN System, will demonstrate that transformative progress is possible despite ongoing global challenges. The full two-day programme, including many side events, may be found here.
SDG Media Zone, 18-22 September, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (ET)
The SDG Media Zone is a key feature of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week, bringing together world leaders, influencers, activists, experts, content creators and media partners to highlight actions and solutions in support of the SDGs. Organised by the UN Department of Global Communications, in collaboration with the PVBLIC Foundation, the Zone takes the conversation on advancing the 2030 Agenda out of the policy sphere and into the public discourse through impactful in-depth interviews and conversations on global issues that matter to people everywhere. All sessions will livestream on UN WebTV.
The SDG Pavilion, 18-22 September, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (ET)
The UN Office for Partnerships, supported by Project Everyone, presents the SDG Pavilion, a unique convening space and art installation on the United Nations North Lawn and the home of a full week of talks and performances in support of their SDG Halftime Campaign to accelerate action for people and planet. All events will livestream on UN WebTV.
HIGH-LEVEL EVENTS
General Debate, 19-23 September and 26 September
As part of the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly, world leaders will gather at UN Headquarters in New York to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Rebuilding trust and igniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.” Heads of State and Government explore solutions to the intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security and sustainable development.
High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, 20 September
The High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development, taking place on the heels of the SDG Summit, will provide political leadership and guidance on the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda – a UN framework for mobilizing resources to achieve the SDGs – as well as identify progress and emerging challenges and mobilize further action.
Climate Ambition Summit, 20 September
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene the Climate Ambition Summit, asking governments, business, finance, local authorities and civil society to present credible, bold, new and ambitious steps that will accelerate action and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis.
High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, 20 September
The President of the General Assembly, in collaboration with WHO, will lead a one-day meeting of Heads of State and Government. At this High-Level meeting, a political declaration will be adopted, fostering political will worldwide at the national, regional and global level for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Preparatory ministerial meeting for the Summit of the Future, 21 September
A ministerial meeting will precede the 2024 Summit of the Future, a rare chance to boost worldwide cooperation, address key issues, bridge governance gaps, reaffirm commitments to the SDGs and UN Charter, and improve the multilateral system’s impact on people’s well-being.
High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, 21 September
This High-Level meeting presents an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to accelerate progress towards comprehensive health. This will serve as a basis for implementing policies and ensuring responsibility for strengthening health systems for the future.
High-Level Meeting on the Fight against Tuberculosis, 22 September
The UN General Assembly will host its second high-level meeting on the Fight against Tuberculosis focusing on advancing science, finance and innovation for equitable global access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care.
SOCIAL MEDIA
#ActNow Challenge
Ahead of the SDG Summit, the UN Department of Global Communications has launched an #ActNow challenge to mobilize 100K actions for the SDGS. Already on track to exceed this number, the challenge will run until 17 September. Each week will focus on one of the four ActNow action areas: Actions for a healthy planet, Actions for a world working together, Actions for a better economy, Actions for a just society. Download the app.
Please follow us on the SDG Summit, using the main hashtags: #GlobalGoals and #SDGs.
On Facebook: United Nations, Global GoalsUN, DESA, Sustainable Development
On Twitter: @UN, @GlobalGoalsUN, @UNDESA, @SustDev
For more information, please visit:
The SDG Summit 2023 website & The SDG Summit Programme
The SDG Summit Media Corner
The SDG Action Weekend
The Sustainable Development Goals
Follow key events live on UN WebTV
Media contacts (interviews available upon request):
Francyne Harrigan, UN Department of Global Communications, harriganf@un.org
Sharon Birch, UN Department of Global Communications, birchs@un.org
