Since 2019, schools, municipalities, organisations, businesses and governments around the world have been hoisting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) flag once a year as part of celebrations symbolising their support for the 2030 Agenda. Lugano was the nucleus of this year's Swiss celebrations, which culminated in an event that took place there on 17 October in collaboration with the #Luganosostenibile project of the city's Division of Social Affairs and in partnership with the Swiss Union of Cities. The event was kicked off by a video message from Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, highlighting Switzerland's key role in promoting sustainable development at national and global level. Held at the Asilo Ciani convention centre, the event was attended by Lugano Mayor Michele Foletti, Biel Mayor Glenda Gonzalez Bassi, Deputy Bern Mayor Alec von Graffenried, Zurich Urban Development Office Director Anna Schindler, and Basel-Stadt's Cantonal Strategy and Evidence Unit Director Barbara Alder. Also present were Claudio Zali, a member of Ticino's state council and head of its department of land and environmental management, Markus Reubi (FDFA) and Daniel Dubas (DETEC), the two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, and Monika Litscher, the head of the Swiss Union of Cities.
For the first time in Switzerland, Lugano hosted a major event fostering exchanges and dialogue between major cities on the progress of the 2030 Agenda. Mayors and their respective administrations shared best practice and experiences, discussing the challenges and opportunities related to urban transformation, as well as the benefits of participating actively in international networks. The City of Lugano also provided a tangible example of collaboration between science, business and civil society: experts' presentations demonstrated how the joint work of different actors can strengthen urban resilience and help to achieve the SDGs.
A highlight of the event came when, as the future generation, students of Lugano baccalaureate schools 1 and 3 shared their vision of the City 2030. The students presented to the delegates all the projects that emerged from the Urban Culture Workshops – Youth Mediation, with a final exhibition at the Asilo Ciani. One of the projects called ‘Summer Islands’ was implemented by the City of Lugano in cooperation with the baccalaureate schools 1 and 3 and the i2a institute, which was responsible for conducting the workshops together with the teachers of the two schools.
The first ten years of the 2030 Agenda – in the past
The 2030 Agenda is the framework for all actions aimed at solving major global challenges such as climate change, resource consumption, biodiversity conservation, health crises and poverty. It was adopted on 25 September 2015 by Switzerland together with all UN member states and sets out 17 SDGs to be achieved by 2030. Switzerland's national sustainability policy is geared towards these goals.
The 17 SDGs, which form the core of the 2030 Agenda, are divided into 169 targets. There are five SDG guiding principles or ‘pillars’ that serve as a framework: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. With these five pillars, the 2030 Agenda aims to ensure human well-being, economic development and environmental protection, addressing issues such as equal opportunities, the rule of law and good governance. SDG Flag Day is an initiative of the UN Global Compact; a global network of companies committed to the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Links
- Link Video: Instagram
- 2030 Agenda
- Link Comunicato stampa Lugano
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Publisher:
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
