There are seven years remaining to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG Summit in September 2023 is where world leaders will come together and ponder upon strategic steps to create an impetus for SDG. ASEAN has a significant role to play in the high-level discussion; as it is an opportunity for ASEAN to showcase its achievement in attaining the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 that complements the SDG and an occasion where ASEAN presents its voice on the right concerted actions that are impactful to the region.
This was shared by Permanent Secretary (Wawasan) at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad, as the Chair of Special National Coordinating Committee on SDG for Brunei Darussalam, when delivering the Sultanate’s statement on behalf of the government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the 2nd ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Accelerating Actions to Achieve SDG in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.
Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala emphasised on low-hanging fruits that ASEAN could explore to further strengthen the implementation towards achieving the 17 SDGs. On this note, SDG-related actions under the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 must be streamlined to understand the gaps that need to be addressed. With a holistic understanding, ASEAN would be in a stronger position to mobilise resources more effectively and efficiently.
A platform or mechanism to work with ASEAN Dialogue Partners and also non-governmental ASEAN entities was also touched upon. This is based on national experience and success stories of different networks of SDG partners especially the youth who work together to amplify progress to achieve SDG, fostering strong and inclusive partnerships which are needed for sustainable development.
ASEAN needs to explore how to complement and support the efforts of multiple stakeholders to monitor and evaluate SDG progress; share best practices to explore potential regional cooperation; and also to unlock potential financing for sustainable development, a crucial driver to stimulate more progress to achieve SDG.
In this regard, ASEAN needs to increase awareness and anticipation of new and emerging challenges by recognising the rising wave of unpredictable changes to manage threats and capture opportunities from the transition to sustainable development. Overall, more efforts are needed to apply future thinking and foresight, to address pressing global challenges over the next decades.
The dialogue session began with opening remarks by the co-chairs; Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand Anucha Nakasai and Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines Arsenio M Balisacan. This was followed by Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
Ministers, deputy ministers and senior officers from ASEAN member states also attended.
The dialogue considered the terms of reference of the AMDSDG as well as a joint statement underlining the discussion’s outcomes.
