Timely start for SDGs

National

PNG’s new approach to work towards implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is timely, Department of National Planning and Monitoring first assistant secretary Policy and Budget Christine Aisoli says.
Aisoli said during an awareness workshop on the SDGs last week that learning from the lessons of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), now in the SDG era PNG has made an early start.
“We’re taking a new approach, we’re starting early compared to the era of the MDG’s, it was endorsed in 2000 and PNG started late in 2004 and 2005,” she said.
“For now with SDGs we are starting right from the first year of implementation, after it was endorsed in Sept 2015.
“We have to work on these goals towards achieving them in the 15-year period, we have to report to the UN every five years.”
The 17 SDGs include: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the goals.
Aisoli said the first day of the workshop was with the government agencies who will be working closely with the department in setting the framework.
In order to implement the SDGs, they need partners which is where the private sector, civil society organisations and the churches to come in.
“The next step is to look at the recommendations and data and work on the framework before we call the partners for a mapping exercise,” she said.