International law

Passage (Questions number 6 to 10): World leaders have recently announced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets. The goals and targets are integrated and indivisible. Global leaders have pledged common action and endeavour for such a broad and universal policy agenda. They have decided to implement the Agenda for the full benefit of all. The world has reaffirmed the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international laws. The emphasis is given on the responsibilities of all states, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect, protect and promote human rights and ensuring fundamental freedom for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability, etc. The new goals and targets have come into effect on January 1, 2016 and will guide the decisions to be taken over the next fifteen years. It is necessary to respect the national policy space for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in particular for developing countries from Africa and Asia. People who are vulnerable must be empowered. Those whose needs are reflected in the development agenda include all children, youth, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees and internally displaced persons and migrants. The commitment is shown towards ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions by 2030. SDGs ensure the basic standard of living, end of hunger and achieving food security as a matter of high priority and to end all forms of malnutrition. To promote physical and mental health and well-being, and to extend life expectancy for all, we must achieve universal health coverage and availability of quality healthcare. It is essential to reduce new-born, child and maternal mortality by 2030. SDGs have promised universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education. The focus will be to accelerate the pace of progress made in fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, Ebola and other communicable diseases and epidemics. SDGs aim at building strong economic foundations for all countries. Inclusive and sustainable economic growth is essential for prosperity. It will be easy if wealth is distributed equally and income inequality is addressed. Nations must work to build dynamic, sustainable, innovative and people-centred economies, promoting youth employment and women's economic empowerment. All countries stand to benefit from having a healthy and well-educated workforce. The vast agenda of SDGs shows a certain direction of human progress in the next decade and a half. All the countries in the world must work relentlessly to ensure that most of the goals are attained and the quality of human life is improved all over the globe.