Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Ghassan Hasbani called for the dissemination of Saudi Vision 2030 to the rest of the Arab countries to improve access to the 17 UN sustainable development goals by 2030, as a means to mitigate conflicts in the region. He also urged further measures to diversify Arab economies, including the use of renewable energy sources.
Hasbani delivered the ESCWA speech at the United Nations High Level Political Forum on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 in New York, where he presented the decisions of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2018 hosted by Beirut and organized by ESCWA, in cooperation with the League of Arab States and United Nations organizations In the Arab region.
Hasbani told Asharq Al-Awsat that he presented to the delegations in New York the results of the ESCWA Forum held in Beirut. He pointed out that the most important recommendations included what he described as the transformation and diversification of the Arab economies for sustainable development and social and economic stability.
“Expanding the use of sustainable energy and alternative energy has been the subject of considerable debate, because it is a key objective of the United Nations development agenda by 2030,” he said. He also emphasized that the participation of the youth and women in economic development achieved the sustainability of the sector.
“Capacities vary in the Arab world according to the development paths and strategic plans adopted by each country,” he said, adding that the biggest challenge was the need for greater cooperation among Arab countries to bring these capacities closer and develop sustainable development goals.
As for promising results in the Arab world, Hasbani said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shown a great ability to collect information and develop an advanced database compared to other countries in the Arab world. The UAE also has extensive statistical and administrative information,” noting that the field was open for development and improvement.
He stressed the presence of important databases in Lebanon, but distributed among ministries and government institutions, and not located in one center.
The UN 17 objectives of sustainable development include combating poverty and hunger, developing health, securing affordable clean energy and new jobs, ensuring equality in society, building cities and sustainable communities, promoting the responsible use of resources, caring for the climate and nature sustainability, providing peace and justice, and strengthening partnerships at the local and global levels.
