The International Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 are being successfully integrated into the National Budget process.
This was stated by the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela, responsible among others for sustainable development, during an online public discussion organised by MEUSAC in a week of activities to promote its services and bring citizens closer to the European Union. Member of Parliament Dr Miriam Dalli also participated in this discussion. The theme of the discussion was ‘Towards a Sustainable Economy’, which focused on the sustainable balance between the economy and the environment, with a focus on the European Green Pact, designed to boost economic growth with sustainable investments, while at the same time leading Europe to be the first climate-neutral continent by the year 2050.
The effects of the pandemic on the economy and society and how the plan ‘Next Generation EU’ for the recovery of the European Union can help the ecological transition and the resilience of economies have also been discussed. In his interventions, Minister Abela recalled the commitment of the Maltese government to integrate the Sustainable Development targets into the budget measures, which were announced in September 2019. He said that, since then, the government has continued to work on this process to ensure that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is entrenched into the national budget process.
He mentioned that this year the budget contains 377 measures, which are spread over various sectors. These measures have been integrated with the principles of sustainable development as set out in Malta’s Vision for Sustainable Development for 2050, as well as with the SDGs, objectives agreed by the United Nations that Malta, along with other countries, must implement by 2030. He said that this year the budget focused on the environment specifically, as our country continues to move towards an ecological transition and the green economy. He added that this means that economic and environmental development will continue to move together. In fact, 26% of the measures announced this year are environmental measures, while 25% of the measures address economic development. In his speech, he referred to the vital role of the social partners, the private sector and civil society.
He encouraged them to contribute in shaping up and achieving economic, social and environmental, sustainable development. In his conclusion, he said, “we want the economy and the environment to go hand in hand, so that while we create new job opportunities, this will be a cleaner job that will benefit both workers, employers and the country. In all this, it is important that we improve our education and awareness of this knowledge and that we are ready to change the mentality where necessary and to be able to adapt to these new developments.”
MEP Miriam Dalli said that the plan to achieve a non-polluting economy by 2050 must start today. She explained how it is in Malta and Gozo’s interest that our country be at the forefront of planning and preparing for this change, because in this way our country will have a competitive advantage over other countries. “Malta is in an excellent position to attract foreign direct investment in different sectors, even for those companies that want to test pilot projects related to renewable energy and new technologies. In addition, this means opportunities for economic growth and the creation of new quality jobs. Existing workers will also have the opportunity to improve their skills, with the result that their employment level will increase.”
Dr Dalli explained how the Mediterranean region is amongst the most affected by climate change. A long-term plan leads to opportunities to make this challenge the engine of job creation and a better quality of life.
Other participants who participated online with a panel of speakers were the Head of the Department for European Union Coordination and adviser to the Prime Minister for European Union Affairs Glenn Micallef, the President of the Chamber of Commerce Perit David Xuereb, the Chief Executive of NatureTrust Malta Vince Attard, and the International Youth Council Officer Nigel Caruana.
Photo: DOI
