The international community is at a crossroads of historical proportions. The world is experiencing extreme challenges, not only climate change, but many social and economic upheavals to which only ambitious and concerted efforts by all countries can provide appropriate responses.
The vision is clear. Our immediate and urgent obligation is to protect and improve our world for all its current inhabitants. We also have the responsibility as caretakers for future generations. Israel is fully committed to working in unison with others to turn the vision into a reality and the SDGs are our plan of action.
Israel’s first
Voluntary National Review is the result of a coordinated process by our the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environmental Protection with the contribution of many other bodies. The process has been significantly enriched by the expertise and experience of governmental agencies and non-governmental stakeholders.
This report surveys Israel’s path toward the realization of Agenda 2030 and its seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing an upto date view of where we are and in many cases how we plan to reach the 2030 Goals. It presents measures and activities carried out by various actors in Israel and elsewhere to implement the goals we collectively adopted in order to transform our world. The report presents many accomplishments in fields such as education, water, health and the economy. However, just as importantly, the report highlights those areas where more needs to be done to improve the lives of our citizens, communities and families as well as our economy while at the same time contributing to the sustainable future of people everywhere.
While the countries of the world are united in the common desire to achieve the SDGs, each country has a range of rich national characteristics and strengths which will make its path toward realization of the goals unique. Israel will continue to focus on innovative technologies and initiatives but through the prism of minimizing environmental degradation and enabling greater access to the benefits of technological advances and increased opportunities for all.
As a young country, we recently faced many of the difficulties currently encountered by many other countries. Moreover, our experience in overcoming resource scarcity is becoming more relevant to an ever-increasing circle of climate change affected areas of the world. Our cooperation with countries worldwide is given broad expression in our VNR, much of it carried out by Israel’s International Development Agency (MASHAV) which is dedicated to furthering partnerships to increase the scope and effectivity of capacity building. Agenda 2030 has been the catalyst for a fruitful process in Israel which will continue to develop and progress over time. We look forward to the work that lies ahead, both at home and overseas, and to the harnessing of the creativity,enthusiasm, and optimism which characterizes Israel to the benefit of people everywhere.
Our vision is to harness our innovation to addressing global challenges while being mindful that the benefits must reach all sectors, for inequality within countries is as much of a challenge as between countries. The vision of building a society which mends the world – Tikun Olam - and which leaves no one behind has ancient roots in our tradition.In describing the success and wealth of that wisest of sovereigns, King Solomon, the Bible describes, in Psalm 72, what is expected from the powerfulin return for their good fortune.
“For he will deliver the needy when he cries,The poor also, and him who has no helper…And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence.”
The SDGs give voice to the mutuality and interdependence of development. They highlight the need for concerted action on all three pillars– social, economic and environmental - by all countries at all stages of development and growth. Israel is proud to be an active player and contributor of this global undertaking.