49. Cabecera entrevista Cristina Gallach

Cristina Gallach, High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda in Spain

Last July, Cristina Gallach was appointed High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda in Spain, a position created by the new Government to promote in our country the fulfilment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched by the United Nations in 2015. A trained journalist, Gallach has held senior positions in organisations such as the EU, the UN and NATO. She was Deputy Secretary General for Communication and Public Information of the United Nations and, prior to that, spokesperson for the Spanish Presidency of the EU in 2010, as well as spokesperson for Javier Solana, first as Secretary General of NATO (1995-1999) and later as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy (CFSP).

16-01-2019

24. Párrafo Cristina Gallach (1)

People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity and Partnership. You define these 5 ‘Ps’ as the basis of the 17 SDGs and 169 targets that make up the 2030 Agenda. How would you describe this ambitious roadmap?

The 2030 Agenda is a global agreement, undertaken by all the countries that form the United Nations, and which aims to be a roadmap to build a more just, prosperous, sustainable and peaceful world. Putting people at the centre, with the aim of “leaving no one behind”. We will only achieve all of this through alliances between all the actors involved; governments, civil society and citizens in general. It’s an ambitious agenda, but it’s also achievable.

You support divulging, communicating and publicising this Agenda and the SDGs as the key to take action towards their compliance. To ‘fall in love’ with and commit to them. In Spain, would you say the media are fulfilling their responsibilities? What role does your work as High Commissioner, play in this?

The key lies in communicating that most of our challenges today are contemplated on a single horizon, the 2030 Agenda. The SDGs show us the way to comply with gender equality, to respect ecosystems, through sustainable energy, among other things. We have to get people to put on the SDGs glasses, to analyse their surroundings and start changing things. If we focus all our efforts on the ‘umbrella’ of the 2030 Agenda, then the transformative power will be stronger and more powerful. At the Office of the High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda, we connect with all the agents, all Public Bodies, the private sector, universities and civil society to promote the actions and the transformative view of the 2030 Agenda. Doing so, with the aim of creating the necessary alliances for this message to reach everyone.

32. Hablamos con Cristina Gallach (1)

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We know of many EPR initiatives such as SIGAUS and it is very important that they gain visibility to be able to scale up the solutions that have proven to be effective.

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When you talk about addressing the major challenge of environmental damage, you refer to its transversal nature with respect to the rest of the Agenda’s goals. What role does proper waste management play in this global challenge?

Proper waste management is an indispensable step to stop environmental damage, but it isn’t enough. What we really need to stop environmental damage is guidance towards sustainable consumption and production processes, where the Circular Economy becomes the main role model. This involves the transition from a linear economy model (extraction, production, consumption and disposal of), towards a sustainable circular model that minimises the use of resources and maximises those available, both material and energy-based, so that they remain the longest possible time in the productive cycle, thus minimising waste generation. If we continue to consume as we have up to now, our planet will not be able to cope with it.

Specifically, do you know the work that Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP) Systems are carrying out in the promotion of the Circular Economy? SIGAUS, for example, works to give value to waste and recover it as raw material, managing used industrial oils.

We know of many initiatives that are being implemented in this regard and we believe that they are providing models of business and value, where before we were only seeing a cost or a waste to be managed. At present, it is paramount for these initiatives that already exist to gain visibility and be communicated. We also have to be able to scale up the solutions that have already been proven effective, for which we must place special emphasis on the partnership scale development model.

24. Párrafo Cristina Gallach (2)

Continuing with the importance of communicating the SDGs, SIGAUS has prepared its most recent Sustainability Report with this matter as the ‘guiding thread’. Do you believe that these dissemination actions are necessary to continue promoting this 2030 Agenda?

I do indeed. They are absolutely necessary. Making the 2030 Agenda visible is part of the process towards raising awareness and action. Companies must incorporate the 2030 Agenda into their business strategy so that the changes are structural and not superficial, measure their performance in compliance with the SDGs, and establish clear objectives transversely towards each and every one of the 17 Goals established.

Three years after launching the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, what is your assessment of the progress made in Spain so far?

Spain has been working since 2015, from different fields and levels, to incorporate the 2030 Agenda into its actions and become involved in the achievement of the SDGs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation worked to develop an Action Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda that the current Government presented at the United Nations this past July. A Plan that lays the foundations for immediate action, which commits the Prime Minister himself, who has incorporated it into the action of his entire Government. In fact, the creation of a High Commissioner under the Government Presidency is the confirmation of the importance given to the 2030 Agenda and the alignment of the different policies, not limited with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

32. Hablamos con Cristina Gallach (2)

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The actions that give visibility to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, such as the most recent SIGAUS Sustainability Report, are paramount to take action.

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In this regard, steps are already being taken, such as guaranteeing universal health care, the State Pact against gender violence, a Master Plan for Decent Work, urgent measures for energy transition and consumer protection... all of them being steps forward and in compliance with Spain's commitment to the United Nations.

Looking ahead towards 2030, are you optimistic about what the world will look like then? How do you imagine it?

I’m optimistic by nature, so I think we have a decade ahead to win. We are already suffering the effects of climate change and living in unequal societies. Today, more than ever, we must declare firmly and with conviction that there is indeed an alternative: that a different answer is possible. The way we handle great challenges must be based on the universal values of justice, equality, solidarity and Human Rights. We should provide and want to offer an answer that puts people first, whatever their origin and condition; that respects our planet and the rights of future generations; that generates a shared, safe and sustainable progress; that builds peace and justice; that belongs to everyone in partnership. Because mankind has been capable of making huge efforts to overcome stages and move towards progress, and now this is also possible.