"Everyone has a voice, use it!": Democracy fundamental to achieving SDGs, says Deputy Secretary-General
In powerful and inspiring remarks to close the SDG Action Zone, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, highlighted the crucial role of democratic practices in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and underscored the significance of inclusivity, collaboration, and collective action, as the world strives to realize these global objectives.
鈥淓veryone has a voice: use it鈥�, was Ms. Mohammed鈥檚 simple yet profound message, urging people worldwide to recognize their power as citizens. This call for active participation resonated with the idea that the SDGs are not just the responsibility of governments but require the collective efforts of all members of the society.
The Deputy Secretary-General stressed that civic space closes quickly when the voice of the individual has lost its volume, and that we must find the resources to fund civil society and bring them into rooms where they would not ordinarily be present.
In addition, Ms. Mohammed pointed to the importance of strong institutions, without which the social contract breaks down, and people鈥檚 rights and aspirations are not upheld.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Ms. Mohammed expressed the need to deepen democracies and shared her optimism about the progress made in pursuit of the SDGs. She remarked that there is a need to 鈥渉old people accountable for delivering on our constitutional rights鈥�, recognizing and building upon the achievements made so far, whilst maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement.
