The Embassy of the Netherlands, together with the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka, marked International Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Flag Day with a flag-hoisting ceremony in Colombo on Thursday (24).

Netherlands Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wiebe de Boer, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche and Secretary to the President and Chairman of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake jointly raised the SDG flag at the Netherlands Embassy premises.

Colombo-based diplomats and representatives of civil society involved in Sri Lanka’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals also attended the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador de Boer stressed the importance of continuing efforts towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.

“By raising the SDG flag together we draw attention to the enormous importance to continue striving for the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

The Ambassador noted that the SDG flag is being raised at buildings, companies, educational institutions, libraries and municipalities in countries around the world to highlight the importance of implementing the goals towards 2030.

UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of the Sustainable Development framework at a time when multilateralism is facing challenges.

“When multilateralism is under threat, a shared framework like the Sustainable Development matters more, not less,” he said, adding that it provides the government, civil society, private sector and development partners with common metrics to transparently track progress.

Franche also said the framework supports planning that extends beyond electoral cycles and helps connect domestic efforts with international support at a time when fiscal space is constrained.

The flag-hoisting ceremony was followed by a discussion involving members of the diplomatic community and civil society representatives on Sri Lanka’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The discussion focused on the progress Sri Lanka has made so far, the challenges that remain and opportunities available under Agenda 2030.

Agenda 2030 is the global action plan adopted by all 193 United Nations member states in September 2015 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. (Newswire)

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Only 15% of goals are on track with regard to the global Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, Sri Lanka cricketing legend Mahela Jayawardena said. 

In a video message, the former cricketer pointed out that with seven years left to 2030,  the world has reached the halfway mark, but it is yet to achieve its target of 17 goals. 

Drawing parallels to the second innings of a cricket match, Mahela Jayawardene emphasized that this is the time for the world to regroup, re-energize, recommit, and get ready to go out there and achieve its goals. 

“Just like in cricket, we must unite, strategize, and bring our A-game to let leaders know that we are all determined to win,” he said, in the video message shared by the United Nations Office in Sri Lanka. 

Video : https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy0LbbzoREL/ (NewsWire)

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