–Jagdeo tells Sustainable Development Forum

FORMER President Bharat Jagdeo has said that there is need for broader awareness and action involving not only governments, but also the private sector in building climate resilience, adapting to climate change, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Academia and civil society need to be involved as well,” said Jagdeo in his capacity as Patron-in-Chief at the World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF), recently.
According to a press statement from the leader of the opposition’s office, he pointed out that there is no single approach for all countries, especially developing countries, where support is needed to assist them for both climate adaptation and mitigation.

Jagdeo in his remarks indicated that WSDF is being convened at a time when there is loss of political momentum from the high note of Paris 2015.
“We need to push for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to raise both the level of ambition and financing to support implementation,” he said.

Jagdeo pointed out that the discussion is shifting from one of cost of implementation to one of opportunity; and where there is a significant role for the private sector.
The forum which convened in Mexico City over the period February 1-2, 2018, brought together leading luminaries and global personalities in the area of climate change and sustainable development.

Among those making presentations were former Prime Minister of Portugal and former President of the European Union, Jose Manuel Barrosa; Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, former Prime Minister of Malta; and Yukio Hatoyama , former Prime Minister of Japan, along with representatives from the Government of Mexico.

Leading Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and representatives from business, academia and civil society were also part of the two-day event, which saw presentations from former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hollywood actor and climate change advocate Leonardo Di Caprio.
Also present were representatives of international organisations, including the United Nations.

The forum, which was hosted by Mexico’s capital city and with sponsorship from the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation and the United States Energy Association among others, focused on critical issues such as ambition and the Paris Agreement; energy transformation; the leadership challenge on climate change and sustainable development and the role of key stakeholders, such as businesses and civil society.

WSDF is expected to be an annual event to help raise awareness and push for action on climate change and sustainable development.