Munich – The Heads of the consular representations in the Free State of Bavaria accepted the invitation to the traditional New Year’s reception held in the dome hall of the Bavarian State Chancellery. The event was hosted by Dr. Florian Herrmann, MdL, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and State Minister for Federal Affairs and Media, and Eric Beißwenger, MdL, Bavarian State Minister for European Affairs and International Relations. The two State Ministers welcomed almost all Heads of Consulates accredited in Bavaria and emphasized the important role of the consular corps in fostering Bavaria’s international relations. A welcoming address was delivered by Consul General Gábor Tordai-Lejkó, Doyen of the Consular Corps. The event was accompanied musically by the flute ensemble Flute Symphony. Among the guests was also Michael Häckel, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Panama and Secretary General of UNASDG.

Why the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Have Not Been Implemented yet as Planned The United Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals (UnASDG IGO), acting under its established international legal personality, observes with increasing concern that global progress toward the 2030 Agenda remains critically delayed. Although 193 Heads of State collectively endorsed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), implementation remains uneven, fragile, and insufficient across most regions. This assessment identifies the central structural, financial, institutional, and socio-political factors that have hindered SDG realization. It also outlines why existing transformative solutions have not been adopted at a scale adequate to meet the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda. The Structural Funding Gap: The Primary Barrier A severe and persistent lack of accessible, scalable funding remains the principal obstacle to SDG implementation. Many states lack the fiscal space to invest in sustainable development, climate adaptation, digital infrastructure, education, health systems, and resilience-building. Key challenges include: High public debt restricting national budgets Insufficient domestic revenues for long-term projects Structural financial dependencies limiting autonomous planning Inconsistent or politically conditional donor funding Traditional multilateral instruments unable to meet the required scale or speed As a result, national SDG strategies often remain conceptual, lacking the financial mechanisms necessary for real-world implementation. Macroeconomic Instability and National Vulnerabilities Even governments with strong political will face serious macroeconomic constraints: Currency depreciation and inflation Fragile or undercapitalized banking sectors High debt service burdens Limited administrative and regulatory capacities These conditions force governments to prioritize short-term fiscal survival over long-term transformation agendas such as the SDGs. The Digital Transformation Gap A global paradigm shift is underway—driven by digital finance, electronic money, distributed ledgers, AI, and real-time data governance. However, many countries are not sufficiently prepared to integrate these technologies into national development strategies. Factors include: Outdated legal frameworks that do not recognize modern digital and monetary systems Absence of regulatory pathways for electronic money or supranational settlement infrastructures Limited capacity to design or operate digital public infrastructure Insufficient funding to develop national expertise Technological overwhelm caused by rapid global advancement This readiness gap significantly inhibits effective SDG implementation. Political Cycles and Institutional Reluctance Human dynamics inside governments often hinder long-term progress: Short electoral cycles discourage long-horizon planning High-risk reforms are often avoided due to political vulnerability Responsibility shifts between ministries and administrations Projects lose continuity after each political transition This creates a cycle of fragmentation that weakens multi-decade SDG strategies. Resistance to Innovation and Lack of Shared Responsibility Despite the availability of innovative solutions, institutional resistance remains widespread: Fear of political or public backlash Dependence on legacy systems even when they are ineffective Institutional inertia and risk aversion Reluctance to engage with supranational innovations or partnerships These factors obstruct meaningful implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals . Consequences of Inaction: A Deepening Crisis The cumulative result of these impediments is visible across many regions: Rising national debt and fiscal instability Declining economic productivity and insolvencies Increasing unemployment Food insecurity and declining public services Loss of skilled professionals Rising social tensions and political fragmentation Without timely intervention, these dynamics risk escalating into widespread instability.This raises a decisive question: Why are viable solutions not implemented before societies reach systemic breaking points? History illustrates that unresolved structural crises can lead to conflict—yet peaceful, proactive alternatives are available and must be adopted. Conclusion: Renewing the Commitment to Partnership (SDG 17) Humanity possesses the knowledge, technology, and financial models required to deliver the SDGs. What remains insufficient is global willingness to cooperate, innovate, and transcend institutional boundaries. The UnASDG IGO emphasizes: Sustainable development is indispensable for global stability. SDG 17—Partnership—is not symbolic; it is the operational key for progress. Modern challenges cannot be solved using outdated systems. The cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of transformation. The UnASDG IGO stands ready to support all nations committed to collaborative, forward-looking solutions for a dignified, stable, and sustainable future. Contact United Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals (UnASDG IGO) Office of the President – Media Relations Phone: +1 202 960 6950 Email: media@unasdg.com Web: www.unasdg.org

UNASDG thanks for the trust and the great motivation and warmly welcomes Prime Minister Dr. Louis-Georges Tin, 1st Vice Prime Minister Ms. Keturah Amoako as well as 2nd Vice Prime Minister Mr. Hugh Johnson as Honorary Ambassadors of UNASDG. In the same breath we thank SOAD for the nominations of our President Senator Patrick Meyer, our Vice President Senator Hans Pflanz as well as our UNGSII Board Member Senator Roland Schatz as roving Ambassadors in the State of the African Diaspora. It is an honor for us now to work even closer together and to stand up for the same goals. Hand in hand, UNASDG and SOAD will work on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Projects like SDG Medical Cities as SDG 3 Health hub in different cities around the world or SDG Cities like the Peninsula City Project are part of our common tasks. We are looking forward to a long-term and fruitful collaboration.

UnASDG sends Salutations and heartiest Congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Queen Raha Zarith Sofiah. We are wishing His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, New King of Malaysia and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia all the best and a successful Government period, to achieve all set goals. All the best and heartiest Congratulations from the entire UnASDG-Team. Pat Meyer, President.

Lilongwe – The Republic of Malawi has officially become a ratified founding member of the United Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals Intergovernmental Organization (UnASDG IGO). This significant step follows extensive preparations and a careful selection of focus areas and roles for bilateral cooperation. Sen. Rajiv Goel, Head Director UnASDG Council of foreign Affairs and Hon. Mrs. Colleen Zamba, Secretary to the President and Cabinet With this strategic partnership, the Republic of Malawi aims to advance its national development agenda in a sustainable and impactful manner. Key priorities include ensuring long-term implementation of national development programs and securing social protection for the Malawian population. A central pillar of this collaboration is the close cooperation with UnASDG IGO’s affiliated Monetary Authority, USD Mint Inc. Together, the parties aim to foster economic stability and promote sustainable economic growth within Malawi.

On Monday, 30 June 2025, Honorary Consul Michael Häckel, Secretary-General of the Interconsular Council of Diplomatic Affairs (ICCDA) and the United Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals (UnASDG IGO), was a distinguished guest at the GM Summer Summit & Innovation Award in Munich—one of the most significant networking events of the German Mittelstand. Held under the theme "Inspiration. Innovation. Network.", the summit gathered leading thinkers, entrepreneurs, digital experts, and policymakers atop the rooftop venue of 1000 Satellites SOHO Munich. Event Highlights Start: 18:30 (Admission from 17:45) Location: Koppstraße 12, 81379 Munich Dress Code: Business Casual Catering: Food & Drinks by LaBurrita & Big Green Egg Key Moments from the Programme: Welcome Address by State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt Presentation of New Members & Initiatives – Werner Theiner, Ingolf F. Brauner (German Mittelstand Consulting) Inspiration & Panel Talks: Luise Goldi Schöneberg, Ludwig Erhard Foundation – "Perspectives of the U30 Generation" Vera Cornette, Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs – "Fake News in Business" Greetings from Sebastian Roloff, Member of the German Bundestag, Economic Policy Spokesperson of the SPD Presentation of the GM Innovation Award 2025 Followed by Chat & Connect sessions with a view over Munich’s skyline Reflections from Secretary-General Michael Häckel “I had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with innovative and forward-thinking enterprises. The atmosphere was vibrant and inspiring—set in a remarkable location with excellent hospitality. The German Mittelstand continues to prove that innovation and international partnership go hand in hand.” Background & Diplomatic Mission The participation of Secretary-General Häckel was part of the initiative "Panama meets German Mittelstand", aimed at fostering international cooperation in the fields of sustainable development, innovation, and cultural diplomacy.

Establishment of a training concept within the framework of the Cities not Camps - Lab for the education of skilled workers for multilateral exchanges resolved. Training of international skilled workers with the support of the UAE Government During this year's SDG Lab in Davos, the participants of the UNGSII Cities - not Camps sessions agreed to establish an SDG4 Education Fund for dual training of nurses, electricians, etc. in 4 preferred countries to work with 2 cities in Germany: Arnsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia and Cottbus in Brandenburg. The Covid crisis has made it clear to everyone that the global shortage of 18 million nurses by 2030 has implications such as closures in Europe and around the world because education systems have not planned enough in advance to create a stable base for qualified and internationally recognized dual training. The skills shortage in medicine is comparable to that in other industries. That is why UNGSII, UNASDG and the BHG, with a selected group of mayors as part of its 25+5 SDG Cities Leadership Platform, has decided to create a globally unique platform for training and housing skilled workers, both home and host. For example, if Hanoi needs an additional 500 nurses starting in 2024 and the two German cities of Arnsberg and Cottbus also need 500, the Investment Facility would cover the training, set-up costs, etc. for all 1000 nurses who would be trained in the home country and have a permanent place to stay during their training and nice little apartments afterwards. UNASDG is mandated to negotiate with other partner countries a similar solution as UNGSII has developed in Romania with its partner, the city of Brasov: while UNGSII and its partners guarantee the training of the nurses, the accommodation during the training phase as well as the subsequent free transfer of apartments for the nurses after their return from Germany after 5 years, the city provides the land for the construction of the nursing homes during the training as well as the land for the construction of the 2-room apartments after their return from Germany. The UAE government will implement SDG4 on a 1:1 basis and guarantees tax exemption to all investors for the first 66 years.

The 2023 SDG Summit will take place on 18-19 September 2023 in New York. It will mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals with high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to 2030. General Assembly | PHOTO: UN Photo / Manuel Elias Convened by the President of the General Assembly, the Summit will mark the half-way point to the deadline set for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It will be the centerpiece of the High-level Week of the General Assembly. It will respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world and is expected to reignite a sense of hope, optimism, and enthusiasm for the 2030 Agenda.

UNASDG has participated at the 2nd Session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya from June 5- June 7. Ambassador Geoffrey W. Oguna from UNASDG Kenya Branch met UNGSII CEO & Founder Mr. Roland Schatz and UN-Habitat Inter-Regional Advisor Dyfed Aubrey, responsible for technical policy advice on a broad range of urban issues including forced displacement in cities. He coordinates the global flagship initiative SDG Cities. They discussed with government representatives different SDG Cities Initiatives and the multiple funding- and security programs with UNASDG and affiliated structures to the UN. Most important topics have been the 44-cities-initiative in Tunisia, where they met Mr. Ayed Belgacen (Chairman of the General Committee for Sector and Regional Development) and Mr. Nejib Snoussi (General Director of Housing) and the collaboration between the UN Habitat, UNGSII, Deloitte and UNASDG. UNASDG has provided the draft treaty and related documents to Tunisia for further proceedings. The 1st hearing for the SDG Cities Certification Program initiated by UN Habitat, UNGSII, UNASDG and Deloitte is planned for 7th November 2023 in Kronberg, Germany.

On 7 November 2023, the first hearing for the test phase of the SDG city certification took place at the Kronberg Academy in Germany. The second hearing will take place in early December in Dubai during the COP and the final session will take place during next year's SDG Lab in Davos from 14 to 18 January 2024. As the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reached its half term, the UN recognises that the world is far from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – some targets have even regressed. During the SDG Lab hosted in Davos early this year in Davos the teams from UNASDG, UNGSII and UN Habitat draftet a proposal underlining the key role Cities play. To accelerate the achievement of SDGs, they need inclusive, evidence based planning, accountable governance with effective equitable service delivery, and access to finance. The 36 member states, forming the UN Habitat Executive Board, accepted the design developed in Davos and gave green light to move forward and test the concept together with the experts from Deloitte working towards something like a “SDG Cities Certification”. This guides and recognizes effective processes to accelerate SDGs in cities as well as impact, but must answer the following questions: a) Does SDG assurance increase opportunities for cities to access finance for sustainable development priorities? b) Can this be undertaken beyond the 10 test countries, like in Brazil with its 5000 communities? UNGSII, UN Habitat and UNASDG invited now experts as well as city adminitrations to discuss the design during the first hearing at the Kronberg Academy Nov 7 2023 in Germany. The second hearing will take place early december in Dubai during COP and the closing session will be during next years SDG Lab in Davos Jan 14-18. The overall design will then be tested in 20 countries within 80 cities in total with 4 size levels: up to 100.000 inhabitants, up to 250.000, 500.000 and 1 Mio. Results will be shared December 2024. For more impressions of the event watch the video below:

Ukraine, climate change and working together in a fragmented world were the big topics this year. 2700 political and business representatives from 130 countries met again this year in Davos to clarify the most important issues and jointly agree on a constructive strategy. The SDG Lab once again discussed specific strategies to achieve the goals. These include, among others, the implementation of the 44 Cities Initiative in Tunisia, which was launched by UN-Habitat and shall be implemented with experienced representatives of an individual expert panel. The main measures include affordable housing, waste disposal and recycling, electricity generation, water supply and much more.

At halftime of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations states that the world risks missing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Casals Forum and Schlosshotel Kronberg In order to achieve the 17 SDGs as agreed by December 2030, it is necessary to overcome silo thinking. Cities play a crucial role in this. They are seen as drivers of sustainable development if they are well planned and managed. To accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, they need inclusive, evidence-based planning, accountable governance with effective, equitable service delivery and access to finance. At this year’s UN Habitat General Assembly, the 36 member states that make up the UN Habitat Executive Board gave the green light to the development and piloting of the SDG City Certification concept. This concept provides guidance and recognition of effective processes to accelerate the SDGs in cities and focuses on implementation and tangible, concrete impacts. Panel 1 Moving towards a SDG Certification process for Cities to fasttrack SDG Implementation • Dyfed Aubrey (Global Head SDG Cities UN Habitat, Nairobi) • Prof. Reinhold Lang (Universität Linz) • Monica Palumbo (Partner Deloitte Sustainability Service, Italy) • Prof. Martin Nkafu Nkemnkia (Vatikan University) Panel 2 Conclusions and the way forward based on the Global SDG Financing Barometer 2023 • Mattia Morara (Senior Manager, Deloitte Financial Services Sustainable Finance, Italy) Moderation: Hans-Jürgen Walter (Global Head Sustainable Finance, Deloitte)