UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said Wednesday that inclusive sustainable development, rooted in respect for and protection of human rights, is paramount.
"It is the foundation for universal prosperity and well-being," said Mohammed at the special meeting of "Towards Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Societies through Participation of All" of the UN Economic and Social Council.
"The 2030 Agenda is an agenda of the people, by the people and for the people," she said, noting that "it is an agenda to be achieved with the people."
"The success of our collective journey to 2030 will greatly depend on how we involve governments, parliaments, local authorities, indigenous peoples, civil society, the scientific and academic community and the private sector," she said.
"It is therefore our collective responsibility," Mohammed noted.
The UN deputy chief pointed out that the transformation promised will only be achieved "by engaging all actors right across society."
"As intolerance, marginalization and xenophobia grow in some countries, we must redouble our efforts to engage and listen to the full spectrum of views in society," she noted.
To better bring about the transformation, Mohammed expressed the wish that efforts be made to create an environment for participation -- "one that supports tolerance towards differing views and public participation in its many forms."
She also called for more participation of women and young people.
"We must go further and ensure that women and girls are centrally involved in all our efforts, especially at the country level, to realize the SDGs," she said.
Speaking of young people, the UN deputy chief noted that "we cannot achieve the change we need at the speed and scale we need without their engagement, their ideas and their leadership."
Mohammed also encouraged people to view "climate action not only as central to our achievement of 2030 Agenda, but also as a catalyst of greater participation."
"Climate action can unlock vast potential economic growth in all regions and for all people. Investing in the green economy, resilience and technology can create jobs and improve disaster risk reduction for the most vulnerable," she said.
She also called for attention be paid to the processes around SDG implementation.
"From the preparation of national implementation plans to reviews conducted in line with the High Level Political Forum, it is essential that these be open and inclusive, that they help expand learning and understanding around the SDGs and that they hear, very clearly, the views of the most vulnerable," said Mohammed.
The meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development in 2018 convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council will be held from July 9 to July 18, including the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum from July 16 to July 18.
