In 2015, 193 member countries of the United Nations agreed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), to be achieved by 2030. The SDGs are meant to be a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity by improving health and education, reducing inequality, and spurring economic growth – all while tackling climate change and preserving our environment. Now that it’s 2023, the clock is ticking, and the road to 2030 is at its halfway point.

That raises the question: are these goals still within reach? Or is this an impossible dream?

A Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) delegation comprising of four Canadian youth made it their mission to answer this question when they attended the annual High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, which is the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs. In just a moment, you will hear from these YDC delegates as they chat about where Canada’s progress is with the 2030 SDGs, what it’s like to participate in a UN conference of this magnitude, and some of the key trends to look out for as the clock to 2030 counts down.