NEW YORK (Enmaeya News) — September 23, 2025
The SDG Moment 2025 took place on Monday, September 22, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, bringing together world leaders, youth activists, civil society, and private sector representatives to reaffirm commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Held in the ECOSOC Chamber at the start of the 80th UN General Assembly’s high-level week, the townhall-style gathering drew a standing-room-only audience. Speakers called for urgent action to accelerate progress in the final five years before the 2030 deadline.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted progress, including record numbers of girls in school, lower child mortality, and wider access to electricity. He urged reforms to the global financial system, stronger climate action, preparation for technological change, and prioritizing peace.
UNGA President Annalena Baerbock said the shortfall in achieving the Goals stems from political will and resources rather than solutions. She called for honoring commitments on loss and damage, fair energy transitions, and ecosystem restoration.
A leaders’ panel discussion, moderated by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, featured President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands and Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland. Heine pressed for action on the high seas biodiversity treaty and ocean protection, while Martin emphasized lessons from Ireland’s peace process and the importance of defending multilateralism.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium, speaking as an SDG Advocate, underscored the importance of equality, poverty reduction, and climate action.
A multi-stakeholder panel brought in perspectives from youth, women, and business leaders. Youth activist Daphne Frias urged tackling root causes of global challenges, while Afghan entrepreneur Roya Mahboob called for expanding women’s access to digital tools and education.
ICC Secretary General John Denton highlighted private sector responsibility, and ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo stressed the role of social development. UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu described the SDGs as the strongest framework for collective progress.
Closing the event, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed emphasized the urgency of scaling up solutions and carrying momentum into the week’s upcoming summits.
The 2025 SDG Moment underscored global resolve to accelerate action on the 2030 Agenda, even as geopolitical challenges and resource gaps continue to threaten progress.
