Sustainable Development Goals are the framework for the national policy in Ukraine. And the initiated reforms and transformations on the way to European integration will contribute to the achievement of the Global Goals.
The Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna emphasized in a video address during the presentation of the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine, developed by the State Statistics Service of Ukraine with the support of UNICEF in Ukraine.
"Sustainable Development Goals are also called Global. A very accurate name, because the inequality of some of them calls into question the "institutions of equality" of others. Just as climate change affects each of us. Today, the Sustainable Development Goals are integrated into the public policy on the basis of "leaving none aside". After all, the globality of goals presupposes the improvement of the living conditions of every citizen," said Olha Stefanishyna.
The official also reminded that a wide range of experts had been involved in the development of the first Voluntary National Review of Ukraine's progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, leading experts of public authorities, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Office of the UN System Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, UNICEF in Ukraine, UN Women, experts from think tanks, experts of international and national scale. In addition, for the first time in the history of Ukraine, young people were involved in the development of a state document of this level.
"None should stand aside - this is the slogan of the Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses public attention in any country on the protection of children's rights. In Ukraine, children make up 18% of the population. Those who grow up in poor families are often more vulnerable and have limited access to basic services due to the economic status of their families. That is why it is critical to focus on children when talking about the Sustainable Development Goals and national planning," said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine.
"It is today's youth who will have to live and work in the world we seek to preserve or shape through the Sustainable Development Goals. And young people will also have to correct the mistakes that, unfortunately, previous generations have already made," said Olha Stefanishyna.
The Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine also added that the open discussion of these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would improve their further monitoring and achievement. In particular, it is planned to continue work on optimizing the set of SDG indicators.
With the support of UNDP, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister continues to work on combating climate change (one of the SDGs) and Ukraine's "green transformation". The interdepartmental working group on climate change in the framework of the European Commission's European Green Course initiative ensures coordination of the efforts of ministries in this area and prioritization of it in the Government's activities. In particular, the focus is on the following issues: Ukraine's second national contribution under the Paris Agreement, the transformation of coal regions, the development of hydrogen energy and improving the energy efficiency of the economy.
Background
In September 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Summit took place in New York. As a result, 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, were approved. It is a general call for action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all people in the world. Among the 17 goals are as follows: overcoming poverty and hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and proper sanitary conditions, and more.
Monitoring report "Sustainable Development Goals. Ukraine, 2020" was developed by the State Statistics Service of Ukraine with the support of UNICEF in Ukraine using data from state statistical surveys conducted by the State Statistics Service and information from public authorities - administrators of administrative data, as well as scientific institutions and international organizations.