ENIL is attending a global event at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the Sustainable Development Goals Every year, the United Nations host the High-Level Political Forum. This is a moment to discuss progress made on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, which are often referred to as the 2030 Agenda, aim to stimulate global action through 17 Goals and 169 targets for people, planet, and prosperity. While disability rights are not the main focus of the SDGs, their achievement could greatly improve disabled people’s lives – if only we make sure that they are included in all actions.
This year, between 10th and 14th July, the High-Level Political Forum will take place, and review in depth a few SDGs. For this occasion, the selected SDGs are SDG6 on clean water and sanitation; SDG7 on affordable and clean energy; SDG9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure; SDG11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG17 on partnerships for the Goals.
After these discussions, the High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council will follow, between 17th and 20th July. At this time, 40 countries will undergo their voluntary national reviews, where progress on the SDGs at national level will be examined. Some European countries that will be reviewed this year include Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia. The European Union will also present its voluntary national review. On Thursday 20th July, there will also be discussions among world leaders.
Representing ENIL, Esma Gumberidze, member of ENIL’s Youth Network, will be attending the High-Level Political Forum. She will be present during the discussions and other events taking place this week, hoping to bring the views of youth with disabilities within the independent living movement.
And to further influence the outcomes of this event, ENIL submitted a written statement to inform the High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council. In our statement, we highlight the impact of COVID-19 on disabled people, calling attention to recovery efforts after the pandemic that financed segregation instead of inclusion. You can read our statement here.
For more information, please contact rita.crespo-fernandez@enil.eu
