International standards have been identified as major contributors to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Farouk Salim.
Salim argued that the entire standards system is built on collaboration, which he said is a testament to the power of cooperation to achieve better results.
In a statement to mark this year’s World Standards Day, the SON boss said: “By working together, we are empowering people with real-world solutions to face sustainability challenges head-on,” adding that while the SDGs’ objectives are highly ambitious, they are nonetheless attainable.
Themed: “Standards for Sustainable Development Goals – Our shared Vision for a better World,” the 2021 celebrations are being coordinated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardisation (ISO), and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The intense battle against a persistent global pandemic revealed the absolute necessity of addressing the SDGs in an inclusive way, to strengthen our societies, making them more resilient and more equitable.
In a joint message to mark the celebrations, Salim was quoted: “The intense battle against a persistent global pandemic revealed the absolute necessity of addressing the SDGs in an inclusive way, to strengthen our societies, making them more resilient and more equitable.
“It is in this spirit that the IEC, ISO and ITU are engaging in a multi-year World Standards Day journey that showcases the many ways in which international standards contribute to the success of the SDGs.”
The statement also invites stakeholders around the country to join the standards agencies – IEC, ITU, and ISO/SON on a mission that affirms the importance of the 17 SDGs to build back better, stressing that standards are more relevant than ever in this pursuit.
Commenting on the celebrations in Nigeria, Salim said the SON has been in the forefront of domesticating international standards by working with relevant stakeholders to adopt them as National Standards, while also providing training and certification services for organisations and individuals in the last 50 years.
He noted that domestication of standards has boosted the attainment of the SDGs’ objectives, adding that as part of the 2021 World Standards Day, SON will embark on road shows in Lagos and Abuja as well as conduct a sensitisation workshop for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country to propagate this message within the month of October.
He equally enjoined all Nigerians to support SON in the propagation and implementation of standards for the benefit of the nation and its people through participation in standardisation activities, provision of information on suspected substandard products, and demand for quality at all times in purchase decisions.
He therefore concluded: “We stand united to work together to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, with standards for the SDGs, and our ‘Shared vision for a better world.’ The cooperation of many public and private partners and the use of all available tools, including international standards and conformity assessment are some of the requirements for attaining the sustainable development goals (SDGs), aimed at addressing social imbalances, developing a sustainable economy, and slowing the rate of climate change.”
