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16.07.2024

EAEU’s contribution to achieving the SDGs discussed at the UN headquarters

The Eurasian Economic Commission organized a side-event named "Regional Partnership in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Experience of the EAEU and Other Regional Initiatives in Eurasia" within the framework of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on July 15 in New York.

"The role of regional integration groupings in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is now greater than ever. As Eurasian integration interaction develops, the EAEU's contribution to this global initiative is becoming more and more significant," said Sergey Glazyev, Minister in charge for Integration and Macroeconomics of the EEC, who delivered the keynote speech.

He emphasized the EAEU countries' focusing on working together to achieve the SDGs, which is also reflected in the Declaration "Eurasian Economic Way", signed by the heads of state of the Union in December 2023.

The EEC Minister noted that the advanced level of integration cooperation in the EAEU opens additional opportunities for Member States to implement the UN 2030 Agenda, and gave concrete examples of how integration measures and mechanisms are interlinked with the implementation by EAEU countries of SDG 1 "Zero Poverty", SDG 2 "Zero Hunger", SDG 3 "Good Health and Well Being" and SDG 17 "Partnership for the Sustainable Development".

For example, regarding the implementation of SDG 2, a high level of food self-sufficiency in the EAEU - 93%, as well as a serious volume of export supplies of mineral fertilizers for growing wheat and vegetables to the world market by the countries of the Union was emphasised. SDG 17 outlines the expanding geography of the EAEU's international contacts with third countries and regional associations.

The panellists noted the importance of collective efforts by state authorities and regional groupings to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

"Eurasian economic integration is an effective and flexible mechanism to counter the escalation of global problems: degradation of the world economy, poverty, climate change and scarcity of resources, including food, water and energy. Its further harmonious development, modernization of economies and ensuring macroeconomic stability could solve the problem of inequality, promote social integration and improve living standards," said Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Ambrazevich.

Vasily Nebenzya, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, called regional economic integration one of the most important tools that helps a wide range of countries diversify their trade ties, reduce trade barriers, benefit from expanding consumer markets and strengthen industrial cooperation.

According to Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN, the EAEU has become an important integration mechanism in a relatively short period of time, which provides Member States with a platform for cooperation on economic initiatives consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The contribution of the regions to achieve the UN 2030 Agenda was outlined by UN Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima 

"Today, with only 17% of SDG targets being satisfied, knowledge sharing and increased interconnectivity between regional alliances can help regions gain the most effective tools to achieve the SDGs. I hope that the EAEU will continue to make its significant contribution to this important task," said Rabab Fatima.

Kairat Sarybay, Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Sohail Khan, Deputy Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), representatives of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), and the PRC shared their wide economic experience.

A broadcast of the event is available on UN Web TV's digital platform.

The high-level political forum on sustainable development under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) kicked off on July 8, 2024. It focuses on making recommendations to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda at global, regional and national levels.

The Side Event was organized with the assistance of the Permanent Missions of Belarus and Russia to the UN.

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution “Transforming Our World. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". The Sustainable Development Agenda includes 17 goals and 169 targets that are comprehensive and balance the three pillars of sustainable development – ​​economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

In 2017, the EEC prepared and presented the report "Achieving the UN SDGs in the EAEU region" to the ECOSOC forum.

On September 18, 2023, Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, presented a joint statement of the EAEU states on the impact of Eurasian economic integration on the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.