New York - Global Goals Week (18-26 September, plus an expanded calendar throughout September and early October) will take place virtually this year, focusing on making this a turning point to recover better for people and planet. It is designed to bring together people from leaders to citizens to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - also known as the Global Goals - as COVID-19 threatens to reverse decades of progress.

The United Nations (UN) will bring together world leaders through a mix of virtual and in-person representation, for the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. This year’s historic General Assembly will not only mark the 75th anniversary of the UN but five years since the Global Goals were agreed to by 193 countries.

Organisers announced the 2020 Global Goals Week following UN reports highlighting the devastating impact that COVID-19 is having on SDG progress - particularly on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for renewed ambition, mobilization, leadership and collective action: to beat COVID-19 and recover better together in order to create more inclusive and equitable societies everywhere.

The week will include Global Goals Day on September 25 - the anniversary of the day the Goals were agreed. This will take place under the theme of ‘Factivism’ drawing attention to the state of the Goals’ progress and the actions needed from everyone during this Decade of Action to deliver the Goals by 2030. COVID-19 has underlined both the importance of timely data and the importance of consolidated action. ‘Factivists’ all over the world will shine a spotlight on critical data points.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said: “COVID-19 has wreaked havoc around the world, threatening peoples’ lives and livelihoods. People everywhere are rising in solidarity to demand the end to systemic inequalities, redesign broken economic models and urgent climate action. Our world has the expertise, tools, resources and young people to build on the gains of the past decade and to strive to achieve the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Global Goals Week can leverage the momentum of the UN General Assembly week through the SDG Moment and the SDG Action Zone, to deliver the Decade for the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030." 

SDG Advocate Edward Ndopu said: “The Goals include a commitment to leave no one behind, but we know that around the world too many people are being forgotten. Marginalised communities have been hit hard by the pandemic, climate change and inequality. This could be the most inclusive Global Goals Week yet, an opportunity to hear from and engage with people all around the world about how we can work together to turn around the world’s trajectory. Global Goals Week must be an opportunity for everyone - leaders, citizens and businesses - to commit to put the Goals at the center of the recovery.”

A number of events and activations will take place across September including the UN’s SDG Action Zone, the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit, a Global Week of Action coordinated by Action for Sustainable Development and the SDG Action Campaign, and Climate Week NYC. The first ‘SDG’ moment, as agreed by Member States in 2019, will also take place, putting a spotlight on the solutions needed to accelerate progress on the Goals. 

One hundred partners are now part of Global Goals Week, which began with just a dozen organizations in 2016 when it was launched by founding partners Project Everyone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Foundation.

For a full schedule and more information including how to participate in Global Goals Week, visit globalgoalsweek.org. The events listings will be updated as new events come online. Join the conversation and showcase your action to #TurnItAround for the #GlobalGoals.

About the UN and SDGs

The 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted the bold, forward looking and ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015. The Agenda, which includes 17 transformative Sustainable Development Goals, calls on all countries - poor, rich and middle-income - to promote prosperity and social well-being while protecting the planet. The Goals recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and threats to biodiversity. The Goals demand that everyone must benefit and that no one must be left behind. In an effort to create awareness and inspire action on the Goals, the UN Secretariat, UNDP and other parts of the UN system collaborate with a range of partners, including creative agencies, the entertainment industry, media organizations and businesses who are committed to advancing the agenda. www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment

About Project Everyone

Project Everyone seeks to put the power of great communications behind the Global Goals, accelerating the creation of a fairer world by 2030, where extreme poverty has been eradicated, climate change is properly addressed and injustice and inequality are unacceptable. For more information see www.project-everyone.org

About the United Nations Foundation

The UN Foundation brings together ideas, people, and resources to help the United Nations drive global progress and tackle urgent problems. Our hallmark is to collaborate for lasting change and innovate to address humanity’s greatest challenges. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org

About the United Nations Development Programme

UNDP works in some 170 countries to help governments and society to power and accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy lasting peace and prosperity . UNDP knows from experience that incremental change is not enough. Tackling drought is not just about water. Fighting poverty is not just about income. Preventing drought and famine will consolidate peace and security. Fighting poverty will improve people’s health. In short, one well-designed, positive change leads to many others.  Learn more at www.undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

Media Contacts

Project Everyone 

Anna Templeton | 07849091646 | anna.templeton@freuds.com

United Nations Foundation 

Megan Rabbitt | +1 202.887-9040 | mrabbitt@unfoundation.org

UNDP

Carl Mercer | +1 347.652.5933 | carl.mercer@undp.org