SDG Forum 2020

28 October 2020

As SDG advocate for the United Nations, Queen Mathilde gave the (virtual) opening address at the SDG Forum 2020.

Mathilde's message in Dutch, French and English was recorded at her home, the Castle of Laeken.

" De Duurzame Ontwikkelingsdoelstellingen van de Verenigde Naties werden vijf jaar geleden unaniem aanvaard. Tegen 2030 zouden ze gerealiseerd moeten zijn. Maar zelfs vóór de uitbraak van de wereldwijde COVID-crisis, verliep de geboekte vooruitgang van een aantal doelstellingen ongelijk en zaten sommige doelstellingen zelfs niet op schema.

Aujourd’hui, notamment en raison de la pandémie, c’est le sentiment d’urgence qui semble s’être perdu. Nous devons le ranimer.

We need a new narrative. We have to involve young people, with their energy and creativity. We have to educate children to play their role as concerned citizens of tomorrow."

 "The most vulnerable have been hit disproportionately - the most destitute, women and girls, people with a handicap or with mental issues."

"I am pleased to be able to address your virtual assembly. Today, we need people who are capable of looking beyond the horizon in a variety of ways. People who are willing to think, to exchange knowledge and to work together in order to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, for the wellbeing of the people and our planet."