World Health Organization
Department of Health 
(Note: This is an opinion piece by Egypt F. del Rosario, a Graduate School student from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.)
Since the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program was launched in 2015, a lot has been done to attain the targets by 2030. However, roughly five years later, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unexpectedly pops up in the scenario and poses a global threat to the attainment of these lofty goals of the UN.
The following are the 17 SDGs that all aim to provide a peaceful and livable planet for all and most importantly contribute to the attainment of the first goal–the eradication of poverty.
GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Although this pandemic challenges Goal #3 a lot, that doesn’t mean that the burden is exclusive only for the attainment of “Good Health and Well-being.” The present problem affects all the other goals as this pandemic is causing some people to lose their jobs (Goal #8) which means they won’t have the capacity to buy food to eat (Goal #2), causing some of the children to drop from school (Goal #4) that would eventually trigger the increase of inequalities especially in vulnerable communities (Goal #10), and worsening the vicious cycle of poverty (Goal #1).
Fanning the Hope: Hospitality and Tourism students of PHINMA COC paint a water drum with their creative representation of the SDG #12 or the Responsible Consumption and Production. Supplied photo.
Nonetheless, while the pandemic is exposing the inequalities and weaknesses of different societies around the globe, the UN is full of optimism that the world will get through this challenge. They see this situation as an opportunity for the communities to act in solidarity and take advantage of this crisis to realize the goals.
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, assures that the organization’s offices around the globe will extend help to all governments to make sure that the global economy and the stakeholders of the program will become stronger despite the present situation.
Here in Region X, it is important to keep the communication lines open for possible collaboration among the government, non-government organizations, and the private sector to bridge the gap caused by COVID-19. The concerted effort should be fueled by a mix of feasible short-term and long-term solutions that will address the primary needs of the people at the onset of the new normal. Encourage collective participation. Who knows, the global transformation that we have been aiming for would come from the creative minds in the City of Cagayan de Oro, the youth sector for example.
SOURCE:
UN working to fight COVID-19 and achieve Global Goals https://www.un.org/en/un-coronavirus-communications-team/un-working-fight-covid-19-and-achieve-global-goals
