By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In his opening remarks at the Sustainable Development Goal 4 High-Level Steering Committee’s Plenary Summit in Paris, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio who also doubles as the Co-Chair of the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, has on the 29th June 2022, called on all Heads of State and Government to invest and transform education as the clearest pathway to their shared goals of peace, prosperity, sustainability, and building resilience.
President Bio intimated that education is a driving force for sustainable development and a powerful lever for responding to some of the most pressing challenges faced by humanity including climate change, migration, youth unemployment, healthcare, and peaceful and just societies.
He acknowledged that the most vulnerable, most marginalized, and most disadvantaged learners count on them to deliver on implementing SDG 4 by 2030 adding that, it is their collective responsibility to call for immediate and bold action towards that end.
President Bio furthered that education is also a cross-cutting accelerator for the advancement of all the other SDGs. He, therefore, urged that an integrated, holistic, multi-sectoral approach to sustainable development must include education.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic and the current global economic crises have further amplified the severe education funding gap. He also urged all and sundry to use the Pre-Summit strategically to rally all forces behind the call for inclusive quality education and lifelong learning for all.
“We do so because education is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right. We collectively advocate that education is not a cost but an investment in the sustainable future of our societies, children, and the planet. The cost of inaction is simply not acceptable. We must therefore assume collective responsibility for taking resolute action for education”, he said.
President Bio encouraged Heads of State to stay focused on using the opportunity offered by the Transforming Education Summit to position education at the top of the political agenda of member states. He said they can do so with concrete commitments supported by strong political will at the highest levels.
He concluded by counting on the full support of every member of the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, and also assured all that the Steering Committee stands ready to fully support, monitor, and carry forward the impetus created by the Summit.
