UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) participated in the closing ceremony of the Yonsei Model United Nations (YMUN) 2019 to help conclude the three-day conference that took place from February 24^th to 26^th. Mr. Artemy Izmestiev, USPC’s Policy Specialist, emphasized the importance of global partnerships in advancing international development, and additionally highlighted the role played by UNDP and the Centre to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, came into effect in January 2016 and are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

This year’s YMUN brought together over 300 Korean middle school, high school, and college students to discuss and debate over specific agenda items regarding global issues. One of the key topics covered at the conference was international development cooperation, and how SDGs can support developing countries. As the lead UN development agency, UNDP is uniquely placed to help implement the goals through the organization’s work in some 170 countries and territories.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Artemy Izmestiev reiterated the conference’s theme on effective multilateralism by first introducing some of the challenges that UNDP and other UN entities face in implementing a multilateral agenda in the area of development. “Dialogue across sectors is very difficult and it is no easy task indeed, but an integrated approach to SDG implementation is one of the ways to start on the path,” said  Mr. Artemy Izmestiev.

Essentially, SDGs require the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike for successful implementation. Equally important is the engagement of youth and future generations. Mr. Artemy Izmestiev concluded the conference by stating, “As students and as young people, you have a natural inclination to take part in transformational change. The proud legacy of universities in the Republic of Korea shows that students can contribute to change in their own country. We will be happy to see students of today taking a lead on the social, economic and environmental transformation that the world needs.”

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre for Global Development Partnerships is part of the United Nations’ global development and knowledge network. The Policy Centre is central to supporting effective development cooperation through cutting edge development research, policy dialogue and knowledge sharing on key development issues.