TACKLING GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Ms. Gita Sabharwal, Thailand’s United Nations Resident Coordinator, delivered an inspiring address at the 11th University Scholars Leadership Symposium. Her address deeply resonated with the audience, invoking a profound connection with their hearts and intellects.

In her esteemed capacity, Gita Sabharwal acknowledged the younger generation’s pivotal role in steering our world towards a greener transformation. She underscored their profound responsibility, emphasising the need to curtail emission levels, champion social and economic inclusion, and steadfastly pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gita passionately affirmed, “Every contribution makes a difference, and you can lead the world to a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.”

Gita’s address also illuminated the harsh realities of our times. The world grapples with multiple crises, including climate change, economic fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions, all of which have far-reaching repercussions, disproportionately affecting the least developed nations.

Furthermore, Gita Sabharwal presented the SDGs as a beacon of hope. She emphasised their potential to yield positive outcomes for people, the planet, and the global economy. Gita masterfully illustrated their interconnectedness, underscoring the guiding principles of rights, justice, equality, and inclusion that underpin this transformative agenda.

Through Thailand’s journey toward achieving the SDGs, Gita revealed a complex landscape. While approximately 40% of the goals were on track, she noted that another 25% were experiencing regression, signalling a pressing need for focused efforts. She urged an acceleration of progress through impactful initiatives.

Gita Sabharwal highlighted the UN’s deep engagement with young minds. She unveiled a dedicated youth panel at the core of their strategy, serving as a platform to inspire participants to dream big, translate those dreams into concrete actions through volunteerism, and harness the potent force of digital solutions to expedite progress.

Engaging in a dynamic exchange with the young minds present, Gita surveyed their connections with the SDGs, revealing that quality education, gender equality, and climate action resonated most deeply with them. She challenged the delegates to consider which SDGs they believed to be the easiest to achieve, with “Partnerships for the Goals” and “Responsible Production and Consumption” emerging as prominent choices.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Thailand instilled an unwavering sense of purpose in the emerging world leaders. She illuminated the indispensable role of every individual, with a particular focus on the youth, in charting a course toward a future characterised by prosperity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Her resonant words echoed in the hearts of those present, igniting an impassioned commitment to embark on the ambitious journey toward sustainable development.