The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were unanimously adopted by the 193 United Nations member states one year ago at a historic summit of the world’s leaders in New York. The ambitious new 2030 agenda calls on countries to begin efforts now to achieve these goals over the next 15 years. Sustainability is about addressing the fundamental needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Today we need to work even harder to address the challenges of poverty, hunger, diminishing natural resources, water scarcity, social inequality, environmental degradation, disease, corruption, racism and xenophobia.

S&D MEP and chair of the European Parliament's development committee Linda McAvan said:

"The SDGs were negotiated and adopted by all the world’s countries with the aim of ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. The question now is to what extent governments both inside and outside Europe are prepared to align their policies, plans and budgets with the Agenda and its goals. The record levels of refugees and migration flows in the world should remind us of the value of addressing the root causes of inequality.  We need to build on the momentum and not lose our focus on eradicating poverty."

S&D MEP and shadow rapporteur on this issue Elly Schlein said:

"A year on, the S&D Group is more committed than ever to the full implementation of the Agenda through our work, as well as to the follow-up and monitoring processes ensuring that no one is left behind."

Today is also the international day of peace. The S&D Group will be working hard to build global partnerships that bring together supporters of peaceful, just and inclusive societies, in order to address transnational drivers of conflict such as poverty, illicit financial flows and corruption.

In this respect the S&D vice-president and standing European Parliament rapporteur for humanitarian aid Enrique Guerrero Salom MEP said:

"We are facing a sharp increase in armed conflicts in recent years, pushing the number of deaths, displacements, migrants and refugees to the highest levels. Furthermore, 62% of those in extreme poverty are estimated to be living in countries at risk from high levels of violence. The S&Ds will be monitoring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda’s goals at national and global level, especially those which focus on conflict prevention, in order to ensure meaningful responses for people living under violence and insecurity. In that respect the link between security, humanitarian aid and development is undeniable."