Interview with Zakaria El Hamel, president of Youth for Peace – Morocco on the opinion.
1. The Importance of SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Effective Institutions: SDG 16 is a key part of the 2030 Agenda that aims to create a peaceful, just, and accountable world. It strives to end violence, ensure justice, and fight corruption. Peace is essential for sustainable development, as shown by the recent conflicts in Israel-Palestine and Ukraine, which affect the well-being of people and the planet.
2. Morocco’s Role in Promoting Peace: Morocco has been a leader in promoting peace and security in the world. King Mohamed VI has championed human rights, gender equality, freedom of expression, and religious freedom. The Kingdom also supports the Palestinian cause and peace in the Middle East. Morocco’s efforts for peace and justice are reflected in its ranking in various global indices.
3. The Need for Strong Partnerships for SDG-16: SDG-16 requires strong partnerships across political, security, and development sectors. The Sustainable Development Goals need collaboration at all levels and among all stakeholders to ensure that no one is left behind.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation of SDGs: Monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs are vital to improve the lives of people and the health of the planet. Evaluation involves building knowledge, using it for decision-making, and building capacity to achieve the goals. Evaluation is a dynamic and ongoing process that supports learning and improvement.
5. Geopolitical Impact of Resource Scarcity and Climate Change: Climate change is influencing geopolitics by adding new sources of conflict to the global geopolitical environment. Nations are adjusting their strategies to deal with the expected impacts of climate change. Comprehensive strategies are needed to manage climate-related security risks and geopolitical instability, fostering international cooperation to address new challenges.
6. Challenges and Opportunities in SDG Implementation: The path to achieving sustainable development is not easy, with challenges such as the need for effective leadership, coordinated partnerships, investments, implementation, and data collection. However, the SDGs also offer opportunities for long-term benefits, and each nation must adapt them to their National Plans of Action based on their specific circumstances and perspectives.
