Note to Correspondents: Secretary-General appoints Sustainable Development Goals Advocates to support promotion of new Sustainable Development Goals
Notes to correspondents
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of a group of eminent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates to help promote action to achieve the SDGs adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015.
The SDGs represent a commitment by all nations to work together to end poverty, achieve shared prosperity, build peace, and secure a life of dignity and a healthy planet for present and future generations.
The Advocates will build on their unique standing and leadership to promote the SDGs as part of an ambitious and transformative global development agenda. They are to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
The SDG Advocates will promote the universal character of the SDGs, including their commitment to leave no one behind; to promote the engagement of new stakeholders in the implementation and financing of the SDGs; to encourage partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector to share knowledge and resources; and to raise awareness for the integrated nature of the SDGs.
The Advocates include:
Co-Chairs
His Excellency Mr. John Dramani Mahama President of the Republic of Ghana
Her Excellency Ms. Erna Solberg Prime Minister of Norway Members:
Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Co-Founder Qatar Foundation
Mr. Richard Curtis Screenwriter, Producer and Film Director
Ambassador Dho Young-Shim Chairperson, United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty Foundation
Ms. Leymah Gbowee Director Gbowee Peace Foundation
Mr. Jack Ma Founder and Executive Chairman Alibaba Group
Mrs. Graça Machel President Foundation for Community Development
Mr. Leo Messi World Renowned Footballer UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Ms. Alaa Murabit Founder The Voice of Libyan Women
Mr. Paul Polman Chief Executive Officer Unilever
Professor Jeffrey Sachs Director Earth Institute at Colombia University
Ms. Shakira Mebarak Artist, Advocate and Founder, Pies Descalzos Foundation UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Mr. Forest Whitaker Founder and CEO, Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation
Professor Muhammad Yunus Founder Grameen Bank