Welcoming Remarks at the event "Bridging the SDG Data Gap – What is the role of Academia?"

Vice Chancellor of Maldives National University, and Host for Today’s event Dr. Mohamed Shareef

Vice Chancellor of Islamic University of Maldives, Dr. Ibrahim Zakariyya

Rector of Villa College, Dr. Ahmed Anwar

Senior management and participants of partner universities

UN Agency Representatives and teams. 

Assalam Alaikum and a very good morning to you all.

It is a great pleasure to see you all at the second annual forum of the academic institutions and the UN in Maldives.

In September 2022, we convened the first UN-academic event. We often look back and recall things as more positive than they are!

But in this case, I recall that we walked away from that first of its kind event with enthusiasm and positive imagination of what could be achieved together. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange and enhancement of peer networks.

And we have seen the results of our collective efforts.

Since our last forum, we have joined up on areas such as changing demographics, decent work, and climate change.

And so, I am pleased that we are back together again to see how we can further consolidate and plan ahead.

Last year, I opined the crucial role to played by academia in strengthening support to long-term national development, and globally as a key partner to accelerate achievement of the 2030 Agenda. As we are now half-way through the 15-year timeline, we need to dig deep to our commitment, as well as our resources, to deliver on the difficult asks that the SDGs present to us both globally, and here at home in the Maldives.  

The special report of the Secretary-General on Progress towards the SDGs demonstrated that just 12 percent of the assessable SDG targets are on track. In Asia Pacific, it would take until 2047 presuming we maintained our current pace.

That is simply not enough.

This is why in the SDG Summit (in September 2023), UN Member States committed to united efforts, political will and concrete actions to fulfill the vision of the 2030 Agenda.

Around the world, many countries have announced national and global commitments that will help drive SDG transformation for inclusion and sustainability in the years ahead.

So, we gather this year to further strengthen our collaboration, pave the way for new partnerships, and to create a platform where the results from our efforts both contribute to accelerating progress on the SDGs with our knowledge and intellectual strength of our separate endeavours.

Last year, the UN Maldives shared an overview of the UN’s agreed sustainable development framework with the Government of Maldives and partners. This year, we turn to academia to share how the three institutions are contributing to achieving the SDGs in the Maldives.

The 2023 Voluntary National Review Report of SDG progress by the Maldives, highlights that data continues to be a major gap.  As a result, the conclusions drawn on SDG progress for the Maldives is based on limited or weak data, with a mechanism needed to measure some critical goals.

I hope that today’s discussion will open new paths for collaboration and contribution towards research and statistical systems that can address the data gaps for SDGs.

I also take this opportunity to call on our academic partners to support the practical  operationalization of our engagement. Specifically, establishing a Joint Working Group comprising representatives from the academic institutions, UN and key stakeholders can be our engine room for driving our partnership, and areas for future collaboration.

While many of us will change our roles soon, I am certain the foundations that have been built, together with our joint commitment to supporting the Maldives to achieve sustainable development will ensure that our work not only continues but grows even further.

On behalf of the UN team, I express sincere appreciation to the Maldives National University, Islamic University of Maldives and Villa College for excellent collaboration in organizing this event.

We look forward to working closely to accelerate the 2030 Agenda and leaving no one behind.

Shukkuriya