Even with the current level of norm-smashing undertaken by the Trump administration, I was initially aghast to read that the US would not only reject but also “denounce” the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) as being “adverse to the rights and interests of Americans” as US representative Edward Heartney two weeks ago told the UN General Assembly (“Impact investors look to soften Trump aid blow”, Moral Money, FT.com, March 10).
However, my incredulity was shortlived. After all, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all UN member states 10 years ago, which launched the SDGs, was intended to provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet by acting in global partnership.
It also set out to recognise 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 the while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
To quote the US author Danielle Paige from her 2014 novel Dorothy Must Die: “Down is up, up is down. Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good. The times are changing. This is what Oz has come to.”
John P Gaffney
Adjunct Professor, School of Law
University College Cork, Ireland
