Abu Dhabi - MENA Herald: Emirates Diplomatic Academy, the leading integrated foreign policy, academic and research centre in the region, hosted a public lecture by Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, renowned economist and senior United Nations advisor, on the topic ‘Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Goals’ at the Academy on January 28, 2016.
On the occasion, Bernardino León, Director General of EDA, said: “We welcome Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs to the Emirates Diplomatic Academy and thank him for supporting the Academy’s efforts to strengthen the UAE’s policy direction in sustainable development dialogue. The public lecture by Professor Sachs on ‘Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Goals’ highlights EDA’s key position as a centre of policy research and thought leadership on contemporary regional and global issues for policy and decisions makers.”
“The UAE has been at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change by emphasising the country’s involvement in the dialogue on global climate change. EDA is keen to strengthen the UAE’s capabilities in achieving the UAE leadership’s vision by providing current and aspiring diplomats with the knowledge, skills and network to serve their country on a global stage.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs said: “Finding solutions to meet the challenges posed by sustainable development must align economic development with environment realities. We need more concerted action at every level to create practical solutions in addressing the major environmental and social problems, which have serious consequences on international relations.”
He added: “The UAE has become a model nation in this area and the wise leadership of the country has encouraged the process of dialogue as the most practical approach to achieving success in global negotiations on climate change. EDA must be commended for supporting sustainable goals and identifying the issue of sustainable development as a critical aspect of better international relations and a high priority area of diplomacy.”
A leader in sustainable development, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs is Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Millennium Development Goals. Dr. Sachs is also known as a bestselling author, and syndicated columnist whose monthly newspaper columns appear in more than 100 countries. He has twice been named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential world leaders.
