COVID-19, which was first detected in China in late 2019 and has since been declared a pandemic, poses both a serious threat to vulnerable populations and a daunting challenge to the global economy. As confirmed cases of COVID-19 spread, it has the potential to take lives, overwhelm health systems, deplete the value of assets, and trigger lasting geopolitical change. Around the world, desperate efforts are underway to contain what has become a profoundly disruptive outbreak. A successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society. These inclusive partnerships built upon principles and values, a shared vision, and shared goals that place people and the planet at the centre, are needed at the global, regional, national and local level. COVID-19 has presented a unique challenge for government and multimillion corporations have experience responding to natural disasters, because it continues to evolve, and a lot of the more obvious steps you see after a natural disaster aren’t so obvious yet. Urgent action is needed to mobilize, redirect and unlock the transformative power of trillions of dollars of private resources to deliver on sustainable development objectives. Goal 3 clearly refers to health: “to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages” and more relevantly “fighting communicable diseases and pandemic; and preventing and treating non-communicable diseases.” Goal 17 clearly stated that Multilateral Organizations, national governments, the private sector and philanthropies must work together to slow the pace of the outbreak, help countries protect their most vulnerable citizens and accelerate the development of the tools to bring this pandemic under control. As we fight this pandemic together, governments, businesses, civil society and citizens require great resilience and adaptability. With an approach that includes the whole society, together we can and will fight this coronavirus pandemic.
Disclaimer : Views are short opinion pieces by the author to encourage the exchange of ideas on current issues. He may not necessarily represent the official views of Urbanice Malaysia. All errors remain the author’s own. This view was prepared by Azmizam Abdul Rashid, researcher from Urbanice Malaysia. Author’s email address: azmizam.urbanicemalaysia@gmail.com. Attribution – Please cite the work as follows: Azmizam Abdul Rashid. 2020. SDG 17: The Partnerships of Governments and Private Companies to Combat COVID-19. Translations – If you create a translation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This translation was not created and should not be considered an official Urbanice Malaysia and shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.
