Pledging support for a sustainable future
SUNWAY City saw the gathering of 8,165 individuals, who came together to commemorate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), with Sunway University taking centrestage, to mark the third UNSDG anniversary since its launch on Sept 25, 2015.
Representing the distance — in nautical miles — between Sunway University and the UN headquarters in New York, the 8,165-strong crowd were spread around Sunway City’s key locations, including Monash University, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Hotel and Sunway Pyramid, and held hands in support of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The event began at Sunway University with 17 speakers going on stage for a one-minute address each about one SDG. Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah spoke about “Goal 1: No Poverty”.
“Poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision making,” he said.
“Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality. Social protection systems need to be implemented to alleviate the suffering of disaster-prone countries and provide support in the face of great economic risks. These systems will help to end extreme poverty in the most impoverished areas.”
Malaysian singer-songwriter Reshmonu spoke about “Goal 2: Zero Hunger”; International SOS managing director and British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce deputy chairman David Ng spoke on “Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing”, while Sunway Education Group senior executive director Dr Elizabeth Lee spoke on “Goal 4: Quality Education”, among others.
A countdown then ensued, ending with the UNSDG anthem being played, with SEA Games athletes and Sunway University scholars waving 17 colourful giant flags representing each SDG.
Celebrities, ambassadors, government leaders, representatives from corporations and people from all walks of life joined in and swayed to the music, symbolising their pledge to support the UNSDG, and their commitment towards creating a better world for the current and future generations.
“It is our hope that this public display of support, the sheer magnitude of the event and the thousands taking part will ensure that our message will echo across the nation — that we are in this together, and we must act now for our future,” said Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah.
Lee echoed his statement by saying: “Three years ago, leaders around the world gathered at a special United Nations summit in New York to adopt the 17 UNSDG, which include providing a holistic framework, growing economies, protecting the environment, advancing peace as well as promoting good governance in both national and international levels.”
“It is now our turn to carry on their mission; and to be the difference we want to create for the world,” she said.
The event then continued on to performances by various artistes and groups, including opera singer Solomon Chong, who wowed the crowd with his impressive vocal range, a dance troupe comprising 40 young performers and the Malaysian Military Band.
World-class illusionist and seven-time Merlin award winner Mahdi Moudini astounded the crowd with a performance dubbed “The Magical Illusion Show”.
All 8,165 participants were presented with a certificate of participation and SDG badges, as a memento from the event.