2021 and the Global Goals

January 1, 2021 was a big milestone for the Global Goals. This day signified the beginning of the ‘second trimester’ of the 2030 Agenda. Commencing on January 1, 2016, the goals were given 15 years to be achieved, officially ending on December 31, 2030. The first five years are done. We have only 10 years left to achieve the world’s most ambitious development agenda in history.

If there was any time to have a decade of action, it would be now.

The goals regressed in many ways in 2020. As the world saw the first major global pandemic in a century, many governments, businesses, organisations and individuals struggled to keep up with the changing landscape of our economy, our society and our environment.

Last year, we heard the words “unprecedented times” used over and over until we became immune to the shock and fear that these words would normally incite.

This year, we have a better understanding of the fragility of our society and the importance of sustainability. It is no longer enough to create a healthy, flourishing, peaceful and environmentally secure world; we must create a world in which our economy, society and environment are protected from unusual circumstances and occurrences.

Two of the 169 targets outlined in the 2030 agenda centre around preparing for disasters. These are as follows: