On 24 September Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks flies New York for the UN Sustainable Development Summit. The meeting of heads of state and government, which takes place from 25 to 27 September 2015, aims to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The German government was actively involved in drafting the document, under the lead responsibility of the Federal Environment Ministry and Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. At events in New York Minister Hendricks will speak on the main points of the 2030 Agenda, in particular climate action and more sustainable economic practices.
"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a milestone on the road to climate-friendly and environmentally sound economic activity," says Hendricks. "It is a major boost for the fight against poverty and for global environmental protection. Throughout the world we need to put in place economic systems that maintain social cohesion and our foundations of life."
The Agenda is entitled "Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". It sets out the first globally applicable catalogue of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The international community wants to achieve these 17 SDGs, which replace the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), by 2030.
"Good environmental policy is a solid foundation for successful economies, in poorer countries too," continued Hendricks. "One thing is already clear today: the global implementation of the Agenda's 17 SDGs will be the litmus test for our willingness to ensure that future generations can live a decent life in dignity on this planet. This will only be possible if we have the courage to change course."
Germany played an instrumental role in the negotiations, particularly with regard to the catalogue of goals, the review mechanism and the preamble.