Advocates appointed to promote SDGs

A diverse group of individuals have been appointed to raise awareness about the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Known as the SDG Advocates, the group will be responsible for promoting the sustainable development agenda and encouraging others to partake in efforts to achieve the proposed goals. Among the 17 SDGs are ending hunger, reducing inequalities, advocating for responsible consumption and production, providing quality education, ensuring clean water and sanitation and promoting health and well-being for all.

The SDG Advocates features state and government officials, business and political leaders, academic personnel and artists. The group is co-chaired by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

Among those included as advocates are Queen Mathilde of Belgium, screenwriter Richard Curtis, Unilever CEO Paul Polman, Foundation for Community Development President Graca Machel, Colombia University's Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs, Grammy-winning Latin pop singer Shakira, Gbowee Peace Foundation Director Leymah Gbowee and actor Forest Whitaker.

The SDG Advocates were appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who hopes to achieve the SDGs by the year 2030.

“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people,” Ki-moon said. “They are a to-do list for people and planet and a blueprint for success.”