Cape Town: Finance Deputy Minister Ashor Sarupen expressed disappointment over the global community’s struggle to advance the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty, protect the environment, and ensure global peace and prosperity by 2030.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Deputy Minister addressed the 91st session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) policy commission in Cape Town, highlighting the 2024 Annual SDG report card released in June. The report indicates that nearly half of the 17 targets show minimal or moderate progress, with over one-third stalled or receding since their adoption by UN Member States in 2015. Sarupen emphasized the critical impact on developing countries, as three quarters of the WCO’s 186 members come from these nations.
Sarupen stressed the importance of trade facilitation in Customs administrations, noting that it is essential for economic growth, hunger and poverty eradication, investment in education
, job creation, and promoting a dignified life-all resonating with the SDGs. The WCO, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), represents 186 Customs administrations worldwide, processing about 98% of global trade.
The Deputy Minister underscored that no single country, jurisdiction, or organization can achieve the SDGs alone, calling for global solidarity and universal commitment to meet these goals. Sarupen highlighted the necessity of Customs in improving global citizens’ lives and advocated for a whole-of-government cooperative approach to tackle transnational crimes and address poverty and inequality.
Sarupen urged the WCO to avoid complacency and not shift focus to new priorities without thoroughly analyzing its past work and effectiveness. While commending the WCO for its achievements, he challenged the organization to do more and address existing gaps to better serve its members and fulfill its mandate.