The Virgin Islands has reaffirmed its support for Brazil’s voluntary initiative to promote the international adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 18 on ethnic and racial equality. Photo: Internet Source

Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley participated virtually in the technical meeting, which brought together representatives from governments, religious institutions, non-governmental organisations and grassroots organisations involved in the SDG 18 network. Photo: Internet Source

The commitment was renewed recently during a technical meeting on 'SDG 18 and the Promotion of Ethnic and Racial Equality' organised by Brazil’s Ministry of Racial Equality, as discussions continue on the future of the Sustainable Development Goals and the global development framework beyond 2030.

Brazil’s SDG 18 is not currently an officially adopted 18th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal. Instead, it is a voluntary national initiative focused on addressing ethnic and racial inequalities and advancing equality for all racial and ethnic groups. Brazil introduced the proposal internationally in 2023 and has since been encouraging broader recognition of the initiative.

VI Participation

Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr E Benito Wheatley participated virtually in the technical meeting, which brought together representatives from governments, religious institutions, non-governmental organisations and grassroots organisations involved in the SDG 18 network.

During the meeting, Wheatley commended Brazil for voluntarily adopting SDG 18 and for its continued efforts to promote the initiative internationally.

“Ethnic and racial equality should be a foundational principle of sustainable development,” Wheatley said.

He noted that the VI’s support has been demonstrated through its participation in United Nations multilateral forums within the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean system.

These forums include the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development and the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Advocacy for Equity

Wheatley said the VI and other Small Island Developing States continue to advocate for equity in global development.

He argued that the international community has a responsibility to ensure that all people can fairly participate in, contribute to, and benefit from the sustainable development of their societies and countries.

Brazil’s proposed SDG 18 includes areas such as eliminating racial and ethnic discrimination, addressing violence against Indigenous and Afro-descendant people, expanding access to justice, promoting equitable representation, improving access to housing, education and healthcare, and eliminating xenophobia. 

The initiative also seeks to place ethnic and racial equality at the centre of sustainable development policies and to strengthen efforts to ensure that no group is left behind.

High-Level Discussions

The VI’s renewed support follows a high-level meeting in Brasília involving Wheatley and senior Brazilian officials.

The officials included Igor Trabuco, Head of the International Advisory Department at Brazil’s Ministry of Racial Equality; Tatiana Dias Silva, Director of Evaluation, Monitoring and Information Management; Thiago Gehre, Executive Director of Brazil’s National Commission on Sustainable Development Goals; Patrícia Carvalho, an officer with the commission; and Gustavo Westman, Special Adviser for International Affairs in the Office of the President.

The VI said the meeting was held in connection with the Second Parliamentary Summit on Climate Change and Just Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean, organised through ECLAC.

Brazil serves as Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Observatory of Climate Change and Just Transition, while the VI serves as a Vice Chair.

As global discussions begin to consider the future of the SDGs beyond 2030, the VI’s position underscores its support for development policies that promote inclusion, fairness and equal opportunity across societies.