IN 2015, the United Nations (UN) set forward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 global goals aimed at improving the planet and the quality of human life around the world by 2030.The aim of the SDGs is to transform the world, and they are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy good health, justice and prosperity.
Zambia, being a member of the UN, has been making strides towards meeting the SDGs, just like other countries.
To ensure that the country is on track in terms of making progress towards attaining the SDGs, there has been in place the Voluntary National Review (VNR).
Yesterday, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning launched the second VNR report in collaboration with the UN.
Crucial among recommendations of the latest VNR report is the use of technology to fast-track progress towards meeting the SDGs by 2030.
Zambia launched the second VNR report with assistance from the UN, which provided US$60,000 towards its preparation.
According to Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary for planning and administration Prudence Kaoma, the VNR is testament of Zambia’s commitment to attaining the SDGs.
To this effect, Government has embarked on a rigorous process of data collection, analysis and consultation, and has assessed progress in various key areas.
These areas include education, healthcare, gender equality, economic growth, environmental sustainability and partnerships.
However, the pace at which Zambia has been moving to meet SDGs – as is the case with several other UN member countries – has not been at a desired level with just about six years remaining before the 2030 deadline.
Therefore, the recommendation of the second VNR report for Zambia to use technology to push for attainment of the SDGs is timely.
We welcome this recommendation and urge those responsible for pushing for progress towards meeting the SDGs to take the endorsement seriously.
This is because digital technologies can significantly contribute to fulfilment of every SDG, including SDG one of no poverty.
More than two billion people in the world do not have bank accounts, but access to digital financial services has been proven to help lift them out of poverty.
For sustainable economic growth, technology can help improve operational processes of institutions and open the horizon for new jobs, for instance.
On the other hand, environmental sustainability may help preserve natural resources and ensure their continuity for future generations, and technology can be harnessed.
Technology can facilitate attainment of sustainable development. To achieve this, sustainable development is based on three inseparable axes: the economy, the environment, and the social sphere.
Technology has positive and negative impacts in each of these spheres. Digital advances can support and accelerate achievement of each of the 17 SDGs.
Cutting-edge technologies can enable emerging countries to achieve their growth and sustainable development objectives.
Technology improves life and work in different ways; from increasing access to information to improving healthcare and education, as global challenges grow like never before. Technology can contribute to building a more sustainable future. It is, therefore, important for Zambia to use technology to speed up attainment of SDGs because of technology’s potential as an enabler of sustainable development.
Technology vital for SDGs attainment
IN 2015, the United Nations (UN) set forward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 global goals aimed at improving the planet and the quality of human life around the world by 2030.The aim of the SDGs is to transform the world, and they are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy good health, justice and prosperity.
Zambia, being a member of the UN, has been making strides towards meeting the SDGs, just like other countries.
To ensure that the country is on track in terms of making progress towards attaining the SDGs, there has been in place the Voluntary National Review (VNR).
Yesterday, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning launched the second VNR report in collaboration with the UN.
Crucial among recommendations of the latest VNR report is the use of technology to fast-track progress towards meeting the SDGs by 2030.
Zambia launched the second VNR report with assistance from the UN, which provided US$60,000 towards its preparation.
According to Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary for planning and administration Prudence Kaoma, the VNR is testament of Zambia’s commitment to attaining the SDGs.
To this effect, Government has embarked on a rigorous process of data collection, analysis and consultation, and has assessed progress in various key areas.
These areas include education, healthcare, gender equality, economic growth, environmental sustainability and partnerships.
However, the pace at which Zambia has been moving to meet SDGs – as is the case with several other UN member countries – has not been at a desired level with just about six years remaining before the 2030 deadline.
Therefore, the recommendation of the second VNR report for Zambia to use technology to push for attainment of the SDGs is timely.
We welcome this recommendation and urge those responsible for pushing for progress towards meeting the SDGs to take the endorsement seriously.
This is because digital technologies can significantly contribute to fulfilment of every SDG, including SDG one of no poverty.
More than two billion people in the world do not have bank accounts, but access to digital financial services has been proven to help lift them out of poverty.
For sustainable economic growth, technology can help improve operational processes of institutions and open the horizon for new jobs, for instance.
On the other hand, environmental sustainability may help preserve natural resources and ensure their continuity for future generations, and technology can be harnessed.
Technology can facilitate attainment of sustainable development. To achieve this, sustainable development is based on three inseparable axes: the economy, the environment, and the social sphere.
Technology has positive and negative impacts in each of these spheres. Digital advances can support and accelerate achievement of each of the 17 SDGs.
Cutting-edge technologies can enable emerging countries to achieve their growth and sustainable development objectives.
Technology improves life and work in different ways; from increasing access to information to improving healthcare and education, as global challenges grow like never before. Technology can contribute to building a more sustainable future. It is, therefore, important for Zambia to use technology to speed up attainment of SDGs because of technology’s potential as an enabler of sustainable development.