United Nations Zambia to host SDGs Run in Lusaka to mark UN Day

The United Nations in Zambia will on Saturday 28 October 2023 hold a 5km and 10km awareness run dubbed ‘Run for the SDGs’ to create awareness about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are fully embedded in Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan and inspire action in support of these development goals. The event, which will take place at the Agricultural Showgrounds in Lusaka, shall be open to the public with no participation fee required.

Speaking during a media briefing held this morning at the UN House, UNICEF Zambia Representative and Co-Chair of the UN Communication Group (UNCG), Ms Penelope Campbell, called for concerted efforts in the attainment of the SDGs.

“We want to inspire individual, family and community action in support of the SDGs in Zambia through any kind of action, no matter how small. Together we can make a difference as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires a whole of society approach. It is not just a responsibility of government, the UN, or NGOs. It is a responsibility of all of us to be aware of and to make a difference,” said Campbell.

Ms Campbell added the importance of accelerating actions for the SDGs.

“Since we are at mid-point to the year 2030 with only seven more years to go, we need to accelerate actions at all levels across society. Achievement of the SDGs has been hampered but there is hope that we can rescue the SDGs by 2030,” she said.

And UNESCO Zambia Team Leader Alice Saili who is also Co-Chair of the UNCG said that the 2023 UN Day commemorations will include educational outreach to colleges and universities.

“Apart from a Social Media campaign and different sports and activities by UN staff and partners, we will also have dialogues with students in colleges and universities. Young people are very resourceful in terms of the actions to be taken around the SDGs. Young people need to be involved and allowed to bring their energy, innovation and creativity to support the Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Ms Saili.

United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. The UN in Zambia commemorates this day through various activities to share key messages about the work of the UN and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided UN work for the past 77 years.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States (including Zambia) in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Take part and learn more by registering for the “Run for the SDGs”, which is open at: https://www.unzambiarun4sdgs.com/

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