By Barbara Nwaiwu
United Nations (UN) officials on Thursday, called for increased investment in resilient infrastructure, stronger cross-sector partnerships and greater regional connectivity to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, said the SDGs were “far off course” from being achieved, with only 36% of targets on track or making moderate progress and 15% in decline.
Ojiambo made the remarks while addressing the Second Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment to Accelerate the SDGs in Singapore.
She said companies worldwide were navigating infrastructure challenges intensified by climate change, technological disruption, shifting supply chains, resource constraints and growing scrutiny from investors and consumers.
“The majority of the SDG targets rely on infrastructure investment,” Ojiambo said.
She urged companies to view development challenges as investment opportunities, saying investment in green energy could create demand for clean power while providing predictable financial returns.
Ojiambo also said investment in resilient infrastructure could support innovation and growth, strengthen competitive advantage and reduce billions of dollars in repair and recovery costs.
She called for stronger partnerships across sectors and industries, highlighting cooperation among companies and partners from China, Singapore, Indonesia and across the Asia-Pacific region.
“It is particularly encouraging to see growing cooperation among companies and partners from China, Singapore, Indonesia and across the Asia-Pacific region. These connections are not only building smarter infrastructure, but also trust, knowledge and shared prosperity,” she said.
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, called for greater regional connectivity to advance the SDGs.
Alisjahbana highlighted smart transport systems, clean energy sources, more efficient trade and information and communications technology connectivity as areas requiring stronger regional links.
On transport, she said sustainable transport development involved challenges that cut across sectors, dimensions and national boundaries, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, which accounts for the largest share of global freight and passenger transport flows.
On energy, Alisjahbana said cross-border power-grid connectivity was a key strategy for increasing the share of renewable energy across Asia-Pacific, given the region’s complementary renewable energy resources and differing demand profiles.
She said both exporting and importing countries could benefit from such connectivity.
The summit was organised by the UN Global Compact Action Platform on Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs and the UN Global Compact China Office.
