The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed 17 influential public figures, among them five Africans, as advocates of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The five are Ghanian president Nana Akufo-Addo, Emir of Nigeria’s Kano state Muhammadu Sanusi II, Chadian activist Hindou Ibrahim, former Mozambican first lady Graça Machel and South African Edward Ndopu.
President Akufo-Addo will co-chair the SDG Advocates group with Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway.
The 17 are tasked with driving action, building ambition, and solidifying global political will to accomplish the SDGs by 2030.
Meet @antonioguterres' newest advocates for people, planet and prosperity. They'll be working around the world to raise awareness, inspire greater ambition & push for more action on the #GlobalGoals https://t.co/DUz2GgcwrR pic.twitter.com/saM6KLge8k
— United Nations (@UN) May 9, 2019
The UN describes the advocates as individuals committed to raising awareness, inspiring greater ambition, and pushing for faster action on the SDGs.
The UN says the advocates represent the universal character of the SDGs, hailing from governments, entertainment, academia, sport, business and activist organizations around the world.
The UN adds that the advocates will leverage and build bridges between their unique audiences, and work together to drive progress.
“We have the tools to answer the questions posed by climate change, environmental pressure, poverty and inequality. They lie in the great agreements of 2015. But tools are no use if you don’t use them. So, today, and every day, my appeal is clear and simple. We need action, ambition and political will. More action, more ambition and more political will,” Guterres said in a statement.
The other advocates are Jack Ma (China), Queen Mathilde (Belgium), Sheikha Moza bint Nasser (Qatar), Richard Curtis (Britain), Dia Mirza (India), Alaa Murabit (Canada), Nadia Murad (Iraq), Paul Polman (Netherlands), Jeffrey Sachs (USA), Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil) and Forest Whitaker (USA).
