Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott addressing the opening of the UN’s Private Sector Dialogue on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at UN House today. (S.Pilé/BGIS)

Partnership between government, private sector, labour, and other key groups in society is critical for Barbados to achieve the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, made this assertion during the opening of the UN’s Private Sector Dialogue on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at UN House today.

The SDGs are 17 global targets which UN Member States agreed to achieve by 2030 in order to create a better and more sustainable future for all. 

They include ensuring equitable quality education; promoting good health and well-being; building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation; and ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Minister Walcott suggested the best way the island could achieve sustainable development was through the creation of partnerships, as opposed to government working on its own.

“These goals are integrated and indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. They are all very worthy in their own right and of course, should be aspired to by all countries.  But their achievement calls for the investment of significant resources, human, technical, and financial.  It is not possible for government to do it all alone. Undertaking them will necessitate actions on the part of all stakeholders – civil society, academia, unions, community/social groups, business leaders, and the private sector, to name a few, acting in collaborative partnership to implement a holistic sustainable development plan,” he explained.

The SDGs are 17 global targets which UN Member States agreed to achieve by 2030 in order to create a better and more sustainable future for all.

The Minister pointed out that through the Social Partnership of Barbados, government, labour and the private sector already have “free and frank discussion” on issues of importance to the country.

He said Government was cognizant the island needed to develop in a sustainable manner which would not only improve the lives of Barbadians now but also the future generations who will inherit the nation.

He urged the private sector to get on board. “We believe that it is not enough today for the private sector to focus solely on profits.  They must seek to contribute to the development priorities of Barbados and the region, and to uplift and improve the lives of Caribbean people by incorporating the SDGs into their operations.”

Dr. Walcott recommended several areas for enhanced development efforts, such as improving water supply methods; developing alternative energy sources; investing in healthcare and retirement institutions; providing scholarships and supporting curriculum development, as well as vocational and entrepreneurial training.

Chairman of the Barbados of the Private Sector Association (BPSA), Edward Clarke, speaking at the UN Private Sector Dialogue on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at UN House today. (S.Pilé/BGIS)

Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), Edward Clarke, admitted that the private sector has not always given specific focus to the 17 SDGs. Nonetheless, he said the BPSA welcomed the intervention by the UN to have dialogue and indicated they would be willing participants.

However, Mr. Clarke cautioned that the country needed to look at the SDGs and prioritize where to focus, adding that the private sector was prepared to facilitate government to achieve these goals locally and regionally.

He pointed out financing would be a challenge and suggested multilateral funding could help in getting the private sector and the country on track.

The Chairman noted renewable energy was “a low hanging fruit” that could present opportunities, and proposed that policies should be put in place for the private sector to assist with food security and agriculture. He further recommended focus be given to the SDGs related to health and education.

Also speaking was UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq; he too stressed the SDGs were not Government’s responsibility alone and noted the private sector was crucial to accelerating progress.  

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest