Eurasian contribution to U.N. Agenda 2030 ‘becoming more and more significant’: EAEU
The contribution of the EAEU to the achievement of the SDGs was discussed at the UN headquarters
The Eurasian Economic Commission organized a side event "Regional Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the experience of the EAEU and other regional initiatives in Eurasia" within the framework of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on July 15 in New York.
"The role of regional integration associations in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is higher today than ever. And as the Eurasian integration cooperation develops, the contribution of the EAEU to this global initiative is becoming more and more significant," said the Minister for Integration and Macroeconomics of the EEC Sergey Glazyev, who made a key report.
He stressed the focus of the EAEU countries on joint work to achieve the SDGs, which is also reflected in the "Eurasian Economic Route" Declaration signed by the heads of state of the Union in December 2023.
The EEC Minister noted that the advanced level of integration cooperation in the EAEU opens up additional opportunities for member states to implement the UN 2030 Agenda, and gave specific examples of the relationship between integration measures and mechanisms with the implementation of the EAEU countries SDGs № 1 "Poverty Eradication", SDGs № 2 "Elimination of Hunger", SDGs № 3 "Good Health and Well-being" and SDGs № 17 "Partnership for Sustainable Development".
For example, with regard to the implementation of SDGs № 2, there was a high level of food self-sufficiency of the EAEU - 93%, as well as a serious volume of exports to the world market by the countries of the Union of mineral fertilizers for growing wheat and vegetables. According to SDG № 17, the expanding geography of international contacts of the EAEU with third countries and regional associations is emphasized.
Participants in the discussion noted the importance of collective efforts of states and regional associations to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
"Eurasian economic integration is an effective and flexible mechanism to counter the escalation of global problems: degradation of the world economy, poverty, climate change and lack of resources, including food, water and energy. Its further harmonious development, modernization of economies and ensuring macroeconomic stability could solve the problem of inequality, promote social integration and improve living standards," said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Ambrazevich.
Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia named regional economic integration as one of the most important tools that helps a wide number of countries diversify their trade ties, reduce trade barriers, benefit from the expansion of the consumer market and strengthen industrial cooperation.
According to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Kairat Umarov, in a relatively short period of time the EAEU has become an important integration mechanism that provides member states with a platform for cooperation on economic initiatives consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The contribution of the regions to the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda was outlined by UN Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima.
"Today, when only 17% of the SDG objectives are being met, knowledge sharing and strengthening the relationship between regional associations can help regions get the most effective tools to achieve the SDGs. I hope that the EAEU will continue to make its significant contribution to this important task," said Rabab Fatima.
Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Kairat Sarybai, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Sohail Khan, representatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), as well as the People's Republic of China shared their experience.
The broadcast of the event is available on the UN Web TV digital platform.
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) started on July 8, 2024. It is devoted to making recommendations to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda at the global, regional and national levels.
The side event is organized with the assistance of the Permanent Missions of Belarus and Russia to the UN.
In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution "Transforming the World. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." The sustainable development agenda includes 17 goals and 169 objectives that are integrated and balance the three components of sustainable development - economic growth, social integration and environmental sustainability.
In 2017, the EEC prepared and presented the report "Achievement of the UN SDGs in the EAEU region" within the framework of the ECOSOC FESF.
On September 18, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk presented a joint statement of the EAEU states on the impact of Eurasian economic integration on the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: https://eec.eaeunion.org/news/vklad-eaes-v-dostizhenie-tsur-obsudili-v-shtab-kvartire-oon/