May 08th 2024

SDG: Goal 17 Partnerships to achieve the goals

Company SDG

The successful implementation of the SDG: Goal 17 Partnerships to achieve the goals is essential for the well-being of our planet. A comprehensive financing basis is essential and goes far beyond official development assistance. In addition to public and private funds, politics also plays a decisive role in supporting these goals.

In July 2015, the international community agreed a new framework for financing and implementing sustainable development – the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. This agenda emphasizes the commitment of developed countries to provide 0.7 percent of their gross national income for official development assistance. At the same time, the mobilization of domestic resources will be strengthened in order to reduce dependence on foreign support.

Furthermore, international cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation will be strengthened to promote the development of sustainable solutions. A fair multilateral trade system is supported in order to create fair conditions for all countries. Promoting macroeconomic stability and policy coherence for sustainable development is also crucial.

What is to be achieved

The global challenges are urgent concerns that can only be addressed through the joint efforts of all nations. The structure of the international system, including the financial system, the global market and the transfer of knowledge and technology, must be designed to ensure that all people in all countries benefit equally and have equal access.

To achieve this, it is crucial to empower developing countries to achieve their development goals through their own financial resources and to track progress independently. Public spending in these countries should be sustainable in order to achieve long-term positive effects.

All donor countries should commit to providing 0.7 percent of their gross national income to poorer countries in order to ensure a fairer global distribution of resources. In addition, all societal actors, including business, academia, organized civil society and communities, should contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Migrants play an important role in society and should not be burdened with high fees when sending remittances to their families in countries of origin. It is also crucial to promote development partnerships with private companies to utilize their resources and expertise to support sustainable development projects.

Finally, countries and municipalities should make their national contribution to achieving the SDGs and fulfill their international responsibilities through professional exchange, partnership work and public relations. Only through joint efforts at local, national and global level can we achieve a sustainable and just future for all.

Strengthening global partnerships

Strengthening global partnerships is crucial to tackling the complex challenges we face around the world. It is essential to foster collaboration and partnerships between governments, businesses and civil society to jointly develop and implement sustainable solutions.

Governments, businesses and civil society each have a unique role to play in promoting change towards a sustainable future. Governments can create policy frameworks that support sustainable development, while businesses can drive innovation and mobilize resources. Civil society, in turn, brings important perspectives and helps to ensure that the interests and needs of the population are taken into account.

Through effective partnerships, we can work together to tackle challenges ranging from poverty and inequality to environmental degradation and climate change. By pooling resources, sharing expertise and pursuing common goals, we can develop effective solutions that have a long-term positive impact on society and the environment.

It is therefore crucial to further strengthen and promote cooperation and partnerships between governments, businesses and civil society. Only through joint efforts can we achieve a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Financing sustainable development

Financing sustainable development is a key component for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve the SDGs, it is crucial to increase investments and resources needed to realize these goals.

Sustainable development requires significant investment in areas such as clean energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure and poverty reduction. These investments not only help to improve people’s quality of life, but also to preserve the environment and promote social justice.

It is important that governments, companies and other stakeholders use their financial means and resources in a targeted manner to support the SDGs. This can be achieved by incentivizing sustainable investment, developing innovative financing instruments and fostering partnerships between public and private actors.

By increasing investment and resources for the implementation of the SDGs, together we can build a sustainable future that meets the needs of today’s generation without compromising the opportunities of future generations.

Technology transfer and knowledge sharing

Knowledge sharing and technology transfer are essential components for promoting development and progress, especially in the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of this goal is the exchange of knowledge, technology and innovations between countries and stakeholders.

Sharing knowledge enables countries and communities to learn from the experiences and best practices of others and to develop innovative solutions to common challenges. The transfer of technology is crucial to facilitate access to and promote the use of modern and sustainable technologies.

Through knowledge sharing and technology transfer, countries can make faster progress towards their development goals while addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality. It is therefore important to promote the exchange of knowledge, technology and innovation and ensure that it benefits all countries and communities, especially those that are most vulnerable.

The situation in Germany

Germany is one of the leading industrialized nations internationally committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Fair trade, social cohesion and the transfer of knowledge and technology are firmly anchored in the German sustainability strategy. In 2022, Germany was the world’s second largest donor of ODA funds.

ODA funds, which are used for financial and technical cooperation in developing and emerging countries, humanitarian aid and contributions for development cooperation, amounted to over 3.3 billion euros, which corresponds to 0.83% of gross national income. This clearly exceeds the international target of 0.7%.

Development cooperation plays a decisive role in reducing global poverty, securing peace and alleviating emergencies. It also helps to make globalization fairer and protect the environment. Germany recognizes the need for close and long-term cooperation and therefore works with various actors to promote sustainable projects and partnerships that jointly pursue and implement sustainable development goals.

And the international situation?

The realization of the Sustainable Development Goals worldwide is a crucial step towards a fairer and more sustainable future. Financial resources play a central role in this, especially for low-income countries facing major challenges. Many developing countries are struggling with record inflation, rising interest rates and a crushing debt burden, which severely restricts their financial room for maneuver. It is estimated that these countries will need a total of 3.9 trillion euros by 2030 to achieve the SDGs.

So far, apart from Germany, only Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway and Denmark have achieved the target of investing 0.7% of their annual gross national income in development financing. Achieving this target in all OECD countries would mean a doubling of funds compared to the current level and mobilize an additional USD 200 billion annually to finance the SDGs.

Another important component of Goal 17 is access to the internet. This is crucial for the further development of a country as it provides services, improves education and health services, creates transparency and has a positive impact on economic development. In 2022, an estimated 66% of the world’s population used the internet, which represents a significant increase compared to 2015 (40%). However, there is also a gender difference here: in 2022, there were 259 million more male internet users than female users. Globally, 69% of men use the internet, compared to 63% of women.

What we need to do now

Goal 17 is critical to the success of all other Sustainable Development Goals. Without sufficient funding, access to knowledge and technology, it is almost impossible to achieve the other 16 goals.

Unfortunately, governments often perform poorly in implementing SDG 17. The challenges, including the impact of Covid-19, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and climate change, have placed a heavy financial burden on many countries. This highlights the urgent need for joint action by all social forces.

At the end of 2020, the United Nations drew up a list of measures for Goal 17 to drive implementation forward:

1. strengthening public financial systems to finance the SDGs.
2. promoting trade and investment aligned with the SDGs for sustainable reconstruction
3. compliance with development funding commitments (0.7 percent of the gross national income of rich countries)
4. immediate reduction of remittance costs for migrants sending remittances to their home countries
5. investing in national data and statistical systems to improve data availability and quality.

It is crucial that these measures are implemented consistently to ensure that Goal 17 is achieved, thus enabling sustainable development for all people in the world.

Conclusion

Overall, it is imperative that Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Agenda is successfully implemented as it is the foundation for the success of all other goals. Without sufficient financial resources, access to knowledge and technology, and strong cooperation between all forces in society, we will not be able to tackle the pressing global challenges.

The current challenges, including the impact of Covid-19, conflicts such as the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the consequences of climate change, highlight the urgency of joint action at international level. It is crucial that governments, businesses, civil society and international organizations work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The United Nations has already developed concrete measures for Goal 17, including strengthening public financial systems, promoting sustainable trade and investment, meeting development finance commitments and reducing remittance costs for migrants. These measures must now be implemented consistently to ensure a sustainable future for all.

Overall, it is our collective responsibility to achieve Goal 17 and thus lay the foundations for a fairer, more resilient and sustainable world. Only through coordinated and concerted action can we overcome the challenges of our time and ensure a future worth living for generations to come.