IBADAT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD
Sustainable Development Goals
History of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, including the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Collaboratively conceptualize flexible best practices via cooperative methodologies. Assertively negotiate an expanded array of alignments with 24/365 “outside the box” thinking. Assertively enable fully researched vortals rather than alternative niche markets.
- In June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment.
- Member States unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration at the Millennium Summit in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York. The Summit led to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015.
- The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation, adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa in 2002, reaffirmed the global community’s commitments to poverty eradication and the environment, and built on Agenda 21 and the Millennium Declaration by including more emphasis on multilateral partnerships.
- At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012, Member States adopted the outcome document “The Future We Want” in which they decided, inter alia, to launch a process to develop a set of SDGs to build upon the MDGs and to establish the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The Rio +20 outcome also contained other measures for implementing sustainable development, including mandates for future programmes of work in development financing, small island developing states and more.
- In 2013, the General Assembly set up a 30-member Open Working Group to develop a proposal on the SDGs.
- In January 2015, the General Assembly began the negotiation process on the post-2015 development agenda. The process culminated in the subsequent adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 SDGs at its core, at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015.
- 2015 was a landmark year for multilateralism and international policy shaping, with the adoption of several major agreements:
- Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (March 2015).
- Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (July 2015).
- Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 SDGs was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015.
- Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December 2015).
- Now, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
Today, the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) provides substantive support and capacity-building for the SDGs and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and Small Island Developing States. DSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN system wide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. In order to make the 2030 Agenda a reality, broad ownership of the SDGs must translate into a strong commitment by all stakeholders to implement the global goals. DSDG aims to help facilitate this engagement.
Source: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
SDGs and Pakistan
Pakistan has prioritized the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will enable us to join the league of upper middle-class countries by 2030. Pakistan was the first country to adopt SDGs 2030 agenda through a unanimous resolution of the Parliament of Pakistan.
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. Which recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will implement this plan.
We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets which we are announcing today demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda. They seek to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what these did not achieve. They seek to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. They are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.
The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet:
People
We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
Planet
We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
Prosperity
We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.
Peace
We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
Partnership
We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.
The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better.
The government of Pakistan conducted discussions on the post-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with all stakeholders for coordinating and strengthening efforts at federal and provincial levels to achieve Pakistan’s sustainable development and poverty reduction targets. The consultation process emphasized the need for national categorization of SDGs, improved data collection and enforcement of monitoring mechanisms.
The seven pillars of Vision-2025 are fully aligned with the SDGs, providing a comprehensive long-term strategy for achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development.
SDGs Section, Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives (MoP&SI) :
A dedicated SDGs Section has been formed at the federal level in the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoP&SI) to monitor and to coordinate as a national coordinating entity.
With the aim of implementing SDGs with Mainstream, Accelerate and Policy Support approach, MoP&SI and the Provincial Planning & Development Departments partnered with UNDP under this 5-years project to establish SDG Support Units at federal and provincial levels for early institutionalization of Agenda 2030.
Our Vision
The University of Lahore (UOL) is committed to contribute towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs) through research, quality education, sustainable growth, social activities and community services. Being the largest private university of Pakistan, UOL considers its primary responsibility to support socially and environmentally sustainable world and imparts its impact to the maximum communities. The top management of The University of Lahore has a vision to transform the university in to a SDG sensitive university over the time.
Office of Sustainability
The University of Lahore (UOL) has already chalked out short term and long term plans and strategies to monitor the periodical performances against SDGs goals. It’s part of our strategic plan. We aim to partner with national and international governments and organizations in the effective implementation of strategies to address challenges related to the sustainability. For this purpose, the university has established a dedicated department ‘Office of Sustainability’. A team of dedicated professionals under this office are working tirelessly to turn this dream in to reality. The Office of Sustainability is also managing a devoted website sdgs.uol.edu.pk which showcase all the activities and achievements, and archive relevant policies and reports of the university related to SDGs.
The Office of Sustainability in coordination with other departments of the University has taken several initiatives to promote the culture of sustainability through focusing on four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
The university has been successfully excelling as a research based institution by prioritizing scholarly excellence at the core of its mission. During the academic year 2023, the University had published around 2000 research papers in national and international renowned journals till-to-date. Among these 2000 publications, over 1200 papers were published in collaboration with various foreign authors who are pioneers in their respective domains. The research publications adhere to the international Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promulgated by the United Nations Organization. The topics covered range from industry innovation and infrastructure to the sustainability of our economy and health. There are several initiatives taken to inculcate SDGs into the research. Due to the large magnitude of quality research at UOL, it will have a strong impact in addressing SDGs related challenges through innovation solutions.
In the same way, the university offers 200+ degree programs through 11 faculties. We are already in the process of aligning significant part of curricula with SDGs. It will not only promote SDGs through teaching, but it will also produce the future leaders in the field of sustainability.
The Clubs & Societies of The University of Lahore is in another league because of its engagement in “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs). It comprises 50+ clubs & societies that aims not only to entertain students but also to improve their skills. Most of the societies works under the same platform to encourage activities that promote and spread awareness regarding SDGs. These societies include Environmental Society – S.A.F.E. Society, Pakistan Children Heart Foundation (PCHF) UOL Chapter, Character Building Society, Volunteer Force against Hepatitis Transmission – VFAHT, Society of Health and Nutrition, Society of International Affairs, VCAN, Society of Life Sciences, etc. These societies frequently organize different events, seminars and competitions to promote SDGs and spread social awareness among people through different campaigns.
The University is extensively involved in contributing towards the society through different outreach activities both at department and University level. The comprehensive eye care program is a best example where The University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH) has been working in collaboration with Al-Baseer foundation. The medical camps are conducted in more than 25 countries with a special focus on African countries. It has exposed us to several effective approaches towards community development in the Least Developing Countries.
An important chapter of the University is UOL Relief. It works diligently to bring positive social change in society through active and enthusiastic participation of students. It has grown over the time, venturing into various cities in Pakistan, wherever educational, cultural, developmental or human aid is required.
The commitment of the university towards SDGs is also reflected in its rankings related to sustainability. The performance of UOL in SDGs related rankings has been very consistent over the time and we are eyeing to improve it further in the future.