UN celebrates 71/17 at SM Mall of Asia

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nations recently celebrated 71/17 – its 71st anniversary as well its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – at the SM Mall of Asia.

A partnership between the United Nations Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and SM, the day-long event showcased the progress the UN has made in the past 71 years through an exhibit on its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and a celebration of the long partnership between the UN and the Philippines.

The exhibit on the Sustainable Development Goals was launched at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium to create more awareness about the 17 SDGs, officially known as “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Eleven life-size standees of well-known personalities promoting each of the Sustainable Development Goals highlighted the event. These included CNN Hero 2009 Efren Peñaflorida to End Poverty; actress and national ambassador against hunger of the UN World Food Program KC Concepcion to End Hunger and Achieve Food Security; public school teacher Sabrina Ongkiko for Quality Education; musician Noel Cabangon for Gender Equality; and actress Anne Curtis for Clean Water and Sanitation.

Other SDG stalwarts: environmental activist Yeb Saño promoted Affordable and Clean Energy; TV host Daphne Oseña-Paez stood for Reducing Inequality; TV host Paolo Abrera for Responsible Consumption and Production; TV personality Dingdong Dantes for Climate Action; and singer Gary Valenciano for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

No less than United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon advocated the partnerships for the SDGs.

The United Nation’s 71st anniversary festivities were celebrated later in the day at the SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall with Ola Almgren, UN resident coordinator and UN Development Program country representative, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. leading the way.

Almgren and Yasay led the symbolic football kick-off with Philippine Azkals members Aly Borromeo, Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband as guests. DFA and UN officials, members of the diplomatic corps and celebrities enjoyed an evening of friendship and fun.

The United Nations 71/17 Celebration is one of the many exciting cultural events at SM Mall of Asia.