There is “no way” the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the core of sustainability efforts across the world will be attained by 2030, former UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon told the World Travel & Tourism Council summit in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Ki-moon, who presided over agreement on the 17 UN SDGs in 2015, said: “It is very disappointing. Can we fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030? I’m afraid not. It may be 2050 or even 2060.
“By 2030 there is no way the 17 UN SDGs will be implemented.”
He warned: “In 2023, there will be at least 1.9 billion people suffering from abject poverty or starvation.
“The UN will hold a summit in 2025 to discuss what to do with the SDGs. I hope it will discuss much stronger goals.”
Ki-moon argued: “We are in a critical situation. I am asking political leaders to raise the political level.”
He noted: “The UN security council is divided and should be reformed as soon as possible.”
The security council is split between the US, UK and France on one side and China and Russia on the other.
Patricia Espinosa, until recently executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), noted: “Reform of the security council has been discussed for decades and we don’t move forward.”
Referring to the recent COP27 climate conference in Egypt, Espinosa told the summit: “The discussion at COP27 was like nothing is happening.”
Ki-moon agreed: “Climate change is the most-serious crisis we’ve faced and is approaching faster than one might think. The loss and damage fund [for vulnerable nations announced at COP27] has taken 30 years. It was just agreed but there is no detail.
“We are at the centre of a variety of converging crises. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have impacts. Geopolitical tensions intensify between the US and China, and [with] the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. At the same time our planet is on fire.”
Ki-moon warned: “If we don’t act on climate change there will be no way to enjoy tourism. Travel and tourism can create a lot of resources. But it has a lot of implications with water and energy.”
He suggested: “Politicians are short-sighted and interested in being re-elected. [But] business communities can change the world by investing wisely in climate mitigation and adaptation.
“The responsibly is in the hands of business leaders with the support of legislation.”