EURACTIV PR

An easy way of publishing your relevant EU press releases.

SDG Watch Europe launch - civil society groups join forces to push for a sustainable future

Date

12 Oct 2016

Sections

Social Europe & Jobs
Sustainable Dev.
Brussels, 13/10/16. Seventy-five diverse civil society organisations have today joined forces to formally launch  SDG Watch  Europe. This broad  coalition  will work to  ensure that the European Union  and its Member States live up to their commitments, made when signing the Agenda 2030 agreement in New York last September, to enable a sustainable future at home and abroad.
 
A year ago, governments across  the  world agreed on  the  2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that calls for a bold transformation in policy and practice. Its17 ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aimed at ensuring  that  decisions by governments contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and equal future for all by 2030.  
 
The SDGs are based on the understanding that the challenges we face, such as poverty, environmental destruction, inequality, over-consumption, corruption and conflict, are all inter-connected and cannot be tackled alone. The goals are also universal in nature and will require collaboration and co-operation by all governments and across all sectors if they are to be successful. 
 
The European  Union,  as a signatory to the SDGs,  has an important role to play in making  the 2030 Agenda  for Sustainable Development  a reality. That is why the SDG Watch  Europe  coalition  will push the EU to keep its promises for a better tomorrow.
 
The EU faces a  multitude of challenges from migration to  climate change. However,  instead of firefighting to tackle the latest crisis, the EU should develop a strong and coherent strategy that includes a 
concrete implementation plan for achieving all of the SDGs. 
 
We need to tackle the root causes of the challenges we face and not just the symptoms
 
To ensure that this is the case, SDG Watch Europe is calling for civil society to be  included as  active partners in the entire SDG process, from planning to implementation and monitoring. Civil society has a vital role to play, bringing experience, expertise and diversity to the table. 
 
Together we can bring about fair, inclusive, open and sustainable development for  everyone, everywhere by 2030.
 
SDG  Watch  Europe  is  being  formally  launched  on  13  October  at  18.00–20.30  at  the  North  RhineWestphalia Representation  Rue Montoyer 47, Brussels  1000.  To attend the launch please contact Eva Izquierdo: eva.izquierdo@eeb.org. For more information please visit www.SDGWatcheurope.org  or find us on Twitter: @SDGWatchEurope 
 
Press Contacts:
Leida Rijnhout, Friends of the Earth Europe: leida.rijnhout@foeeurope.org
Barbara Caracciolo, Solidar: Barbara.caracciolo@solidar.org
Ingo Ritz, GCAP : ingo.ritz@whiteband.org
Deirdre de Burca, World Vision: Deirdre_deBurca@wvi.org