Didier Reynders and Alexander De Croo welcome the appointment of HM Queen Mathilde as advocate of the Sustainable Development Goals

HM the Queen is now part of a group of about 15 eminent personalities appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. They will help the United Nations in mobilizing the international community for the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. This is an important recognition of the international role of HM the Queen and of our country in the fight against poverty, injustice and the consequences of climate change.

The Agenda 2030 containing the 17 SDGs was adopted in September 2015 in New York by all countries and includes all most important global challenges. The agenda focusses on the very close connection between people, the planet, peace and prosperity. Therefore the agenda is indivisible and universal. It demands an inclusive approach. The realization of this ambitious sustainable development agenda requires the cooperation of governments, the private sector and the entire civil society.

Our country played an important role in the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, and fully subscribes to them. The Belgian international development policy now prioritizes support to the least developed countries (LDCs). The goal is to allocate at least 50% of our official development aid to the LDCs. The private sector and the possible leverage effect of digitalization on development will play a central role.

The Agenda 2030 will clearly be at the center of the major global debates and Belgium will as always take its responsibility in these debates. This shows our commitment to play an active and constructive role in the UN in facing the big challenges that people and the planet are now confronted with.