UNITED NATIONS, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Six new influential public figures came on board as the official United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates on Thursday, committing themselves to the pursuit of the 17 goals.
"We have the tools to answer the questions posed by climate change, environmental pressure, poverty and inequality," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "They lie in the great agreements of 2015 - the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change."
"But tools are no use if you don't use them. So, today, and every day, my appeal is clear and simple. We need action, ambition and political will. More action, more ambition and more political will," said the UN chief.
The six new advocates include Dia Mirza, actress and film producer and UN Environment Program Goodwill Ambassador for India, and Marta Vieira da Silva, footballer of Orlando Pride and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
They are joining an overall group of 17, who are all committed to raising awareness, inspiring greater ambition, and pushing for faster action on the SDGs, which include the end of extreme hunger, poverty, and quality healthcare for all.
The advocates represent the universal character of the SDGs themselves, hailing from governments, entertainment, academia, sport, business and activist organizations around the world.
"By joining forces to achieve our goals, we can turn hope into reality -- leaving no one behind," said co-chair of the SDG advocates group, Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway.
Guterres has appointed some members of the previous group of SDG advocates as SDG Advocate Alumni and said on Thursday he was looking forward to their ongoing support and engagement.
