UN chief announces new sustainable development initiative

UNITED NATIONS—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday announced the launch of a new independent global network of research centers, universities and technical institutions to help find solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental, social and economic problems.

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) will work with a wide range of stakeholders, including business, civil society, UN agencies and other international organizations to identify and share the best solutions to achieve sustainable development.

This initiative is part of the work undertaken in response to the mandate on post-2015 and the outcome of the Rio+20 Conference.

The new project will begin work immediately, as the international community initiates preparations for a new development framework.

The Solutions Network will be directed by Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Millennium Development Goals, and will operate in close coordination with the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda announced by the UN last week.

“The post-2015 objectives will help the world to focus on the vital challenges of sustainable development,” said Ban, “and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network will be an innovative way to draw upon worldwide expertise in the campuses, universities, scientific research centers and business technology divisions around the world.”

With the world at 7 billion people, and current annual gross domestic product (GDP) at $70 trillion, human impacts on the environment have already reached dangerous levels, according to the United Nations.

As the world population is estimated to rise to 9 billion by 2050 and global GDP to more than $250 trillion, the world urgently needs a framework for sustainable development that addresses the challenges of ending poverty, increasing social inclusion and sustaining the planet.

Under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, the network will provide an independent global, open and inclusive process to support and scale up problem solving at local, national and global levels.

“In the 20 years since the first Rio Earth Summit, the world has largely failed to address some of the most serious environmental and social problems pressing in on us,” Sachs said. “We can’t afford business as usual. We need to engage the academic and scientific community, and tap into worldwide technological know-how in the private sector and civil society, in order to develop and implement practical solutions.”

Ted Turner, global business leader, philanthropist and founder of CNN and the United Nations Foundation, will work together with other leaders in sustainable development to help guide and advise the network.

“We need development solutions based in science, and we need them now. The future of the planet and its people is at stake. The new Sustainable Development Solutions Network aims to promote smart and effective action—before it’s too late,” said Turner.

Substantial emphasis will be placed on collaboration across countries to analyze common problems and learn from each other’s experiences. The global network will accelerate joint learning and help to overcome the compartmentalization of technical and policy work by promoting integrated “systems” approaches to addressing the complex economic, social and environmental challenges confronting governments.

As part of this network, businesses, particularly those operating with cutting-edge technologies, will work alongside scientists, policy analysts and community leaders to understand and anticipate new technological opportunities to address economic, social and environmental constraints. –IPS