UN forum on sustainable development: Focussing on climate change and inequalities

At today's ministerial segment of the UN forum on sustainable development in New York, Germany called for a stronger focus on social inequalities and climate change. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Development Ministry, and Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, represent the German government jointly at the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF). Each year, the forum reviews progress on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The forum takes place this year from 9 to 18 July in New York.

Parliamentary State Secretary Flachsbarth commented: "Because of our global social and ecological footprint, Germany bears part of the shared responsibility for growing inequality in developing countries and emerging economies. The German government is strengthening resilience and active economic participation in partner countries, including among the poor and vulnerable, with instruments like climate risk insurance and social safeguard systems."

Parliamentary State Secretary Schwarzelühr-Sutter remarked: "The fights against climate change and poverty are closely interlinked. Tackling both challenges requires joint action. The long overdue change of course to greenhouse gas neutrality and more sustainable lifestyles will be more successful the more it benefits people – in particular those whose economic situation is already very strained. In September, we will use the UN summits on climate and sustainability in New York to marshal broad support for these goals."

Climate change and increasing social inequalities are troubling global trends. Preliminary excerpts from the first Global Sustainable Development Report, which was presented at the forum, underscore that these trends can put sustainable development at serious risk.

The UN forum on sustainable development, where high-level government and civil society representatives of the UN member states meet, is held under the title "Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality". The event is dedicated to topics including education, decent work and sustainable economic growth, inequalities, climate action, peace, justice and robust institutions.

The need for swifter, more ambitious implementation of the 2030 Agenda is evident. Despite many efforts and much progress, current projections show that very few of the SDGs will be met by 2030. The trends in climate change, biodiversity and inequality give particular reason for concern. This is why the German government favours the creation of international action programmes for the SDGs that are furthest behind and not covered by existing international processes.

The German delegation to the HLPF is comprised, as last year, of governmental representatives, nine members of the German Bundestag (from all party groups) and non-governmental representatives (of civil society, the private sector, unions, young people, the federal states and municipalities).