By Sirak Gebrehiwot
His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, delivered a compelling lecture at the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the multifaceted challenges hindering their achievement. Highlighting the necessity for collaboration and innovation, Mr. Kallon proposed structured investment pathways, known as the Six Transitions, to expedite progress toward the SDGs and emphasize the UN’s critical role supporting Member States through its Cooperation Framework initiatives at country level.
Since their establishment in 2015, the 17 SDGs have provided a comprehensive framework addressing urgent global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace. Each goal, ranging from “Ending Poverty” to “Partnerships for the Goals,” serves as a collective guide to lead nations toward a sustainable future by 2030. Their significance lies in their universal relevance across various economic and social conditions.
Mr. Kallon acknowledged that while Zimbabwe has made progress in certain areas, it faces significant obstacles that demand immediate attention and strategies for strong partnerships to mobilize requisite resources. He identified several key challenges that impede SDG fulfillment:
• Geopolitical Conflicts: Ongoing tensions, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, unrest in the Middle East, and civil wars in DRC, Ethiopia, and Sudan divert development financing to responding humanitarian crisis and exacerbate food security issues, notably affecting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Climate Change: As a “threat multiplier,” climate change intensifies vulnerabilities impacting SDGs related to health (SDG 3), clean water (SDG 6), and sustainable cities (SDG 11). Zimbabwe has encountered severe climate-induced disasters, including droughts and flooding.
• Economic Instability: Domestic social and economic challenges complicate the effective implementation of the SDGs in Zimbabwe.
• Inequity in Resource Distribution: The uneven impact on marginalized communities slows progress toward inclusivity as outlined in SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).Addressing these challenges requires substantial financial commitments and nuanced policies that tackle the interconnected nature of these issues.
The Six Transitions: Strategic Pathways to Investment
To propel progress on the SDGs, Mr. Kallon introduced the Six Transitions—strategic investment pathways identified by the UN for the next six years:
1. Food Systems: Transforming food production to promote sustainability and improve food security (SDG 2, SDG 13).
2. Education Transformation: Ensuring inclusive, accessible education promotes a workforce committed to sustainable practices (SDG 4).
3. Accessible and Affordable Energy: Investing in renewable energy solutions supports economic growth while addressing environmental concerns (SDG 7).
4. Digital Connectivity: Expanding digital infrastructure enhances educational and economic opportunities, fostering gender equality (SDG 5).
5. Jobs and Social Protection: Creating inclusive job opportunities boosts economic resilience and contributes to ending poverty.
6. Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Pollution: Integrating environmental concerns into policies is essential for sustainability (SDG 13).
These transitions advocate for a holistic approach, emphasizing interconnectedness among the SDGs and the necessity for coordinated investment to maximize impact.
Mr. Kallon asserted the UN’s vital role in mobilizing partnerships to achieve the SDGs, anchored by the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework that supports Member States. In Zimbabwe, this framework targets mobilization of US$ 2.8 billion, with over US$ 1.2 billion already delivered in various development programmes and projects.
Through initiatives like the Pact for the Future, the UN champions innovative, evidence-based policies prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity.
As the 2030 deadline approaches, Mr. Kallon’s lecture highlighted the urgent need for immediate and collaborative action to tackle the challenges hindering Member States in achieving the SDGs.
*Sirak Gebrehiwot is UN Partnerships and Development Finance Advisor at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Zimbabwe
