Welcome to the United Nations
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Since Singapore’s first Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2018, the world has become more volatile and uncertain. COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on all countries, geopolitical tensions have come into sharper relief, and the impact of climate change has exacerbated threats to global food, water, and energy security. Consequently, global progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has stagnated, and in some cases, regressed.
As a small, low-lying island state, climate change is an existential threat to Singapore. We expect significant increase in sea levels, temperatures, and extreme weather patterns by the end of this century. The unpredictability of external shocks compounds the challenges we face in achieving the 2030 Agenda, and could derail the progress we have made if we do not act decisively. Amidst this turbulence, Singapore remains steadfast in our commitment to sustainable development and we have taken concrete measures to pursue this, by balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social inclusion.
Our second VNR highlights the significant progress we have made while acknowledging our constraints and challenges. We raised our climate ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, are making good progress with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, and are diversifying our sustainability agenda across multiple domains, ranging from urban greenery to economic transformation. Our sustainability plans will continue to evolve over the years, to address new challenges and ensure Singapore remains a green, liveable, and climate-resilient home.
There is opportunity in every crisis. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we accelerated our digitalisation efforts to empower our citizens and bridge the digital divide. We continue to champion connectivity across various platforms – within our communities, between our natural and urban landscapes, and in the digital space. We believe in education as a social leveller and are committed to providing quality and accessible education for everyone. In doing so, we aim to build an inclusive society with equal opportunities for all – a fundamental principle of Singapore’s governance.
Singapore’s Whole-of-Nation approach underpins our efforts to achieve sustainable development in an inclusive manner. We engage our people, community, and the private sector extensively through consultations and dialogues, and seek to facilitate partnerships across sectors to co-deliver on our SDGs.
Our sustainability efforts stretch far beyond our shores. There is much that countries can share and learn from one another in our common pursuit of sustainable development. This spirit of international cooperation is reflected in our practices, from convening and hosting sustainability-focused events such as the biennial Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), to sharing our experiences with fellow developing countries through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) – our flagship capacity-building platform. Singapore firmly supports a strong multilateral system which enables the international community to work together to deliver effective solutions.
Singapore’s VNR at the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development captures our progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda since 2018, and charts our sustainability blueprint for the future. It serves as a useful checkpoint to remind us that sustainable development is a continuous journey that requires the commitment and partnership of all stakeholders across different sectors and countries. Singapore continues to adopt a forward-looking approach to meet the needs of the present without compromising our future generations, as we progress towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda and beyond.
