President John Dramani Mahama has been appointed a Co-Chair of a group of sixteen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates.

The Prime Minister of Norway, Ms. Erna Solberg is the other Chair of the group which will support the Secretary-General, Ban Ki- moon in his efforts to generate momentum  to achieve the SDGs by 2030. 

The SDGs adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015 represents a commitment by all nations to work together to end poverty, achieve shared prosperity, build peace, and secure a life of dignity and a healthy planet for present and future generations.

 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who announced the appointment in New York today said the “16 Advocates will leverage their unique standing and leadership to promote the SDGs as part of an ambitious and transformative global agenda.”

Working as champions of advocacy, the SDG Advocates will promote the universal character of the SDGs, including their commitment to leave no one behind; promote the engagement of new stakeholders in the implementation and financing of the SDGs; encourage partnerships with governments, civil society and private sector to share knowledge and resources; and raise awareness for the integrated nature of the SDGs.

Below is a list of members of the group and the Co- Chairs

Co-Chairs

His Excellency

Mr. John Dramani Mahama - President of the Republic of Ghana

Her Excellency Ms. Erna Solberg - Prime Minister of Norway

 

Members:

Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium

 

Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

 

Mr. Richard Curtis, Screenwriter, Producer and Film Director

 

Ambassador Dho Young-Shim, Chairperson, United Nations World Tourism Organization’s

Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty Foundation

 

Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Director Gbowee Peace Foundation

 

Mr. Jack Ma - Founder and Executive Chairman

Alibaba Group

 

Mrs. Graça Machel - President

Foundation of Community Development and the

UNESCO National Commission in Mozambique

 

 Ms. Alaa Murabit - Founder

The Voice of Libyan Women

 

Mr. Paul Polman - Chief Executive Officer

Unilever

 

Professor Jeffrey Sachs - Director

Earth Institute at Colombia University

 

Ms. Shakira Mebarak - Artist/Singer Songwriter/Advocate

 

Mr. Forest Whitaker - Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative

 

Professor Muhammad Yunus, Founder

Grameen Bank