"The 193 countries are not 193 separate boats. We are actually 193 cabins within a big boat," says Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, the United Nations' Resident Coordinator in China. He is quoting Singaporean politician Kishore Mahbubani to illustrate how interconnected the world is, especially during a crisis. CGTN host Tian Wei discusses the importance of sustainable development in the face of a global crisis with Ahonsi.

The COVID-19 crisis has brought out the worst in human decision making. The incipient crisis in February and March was met with denial and scapegoating, both of which have persisted long after the pandemic has gripped the whole world.

Ahonsi uses the metaphor of the boat to describe the fallacy with this rhetoric. He says, "If there is a fire outbreak in any part of the boat. Will you remain in your cabin and say it's not my problem? When we run out of our cabin will we be asking the question, who started the fire? No. Our first priority will be to put out of the fire."

The pandemic is neon-light warning on the importance of taking global action. Much like global warming and income inequality, the pandemic is not a problem that is contained within national boundaries. Ahonsi advocates the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in tackling global problems. He emphasizes, "COVID-19 has shown us that we are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain."

The pandemic may be leading to a massive public health and economic crisis, but Ahonsi compels us to look at it as a blessing in disguise. He says, "The Chinese say every crisis represents opportunity. In seeking to come out of the crisis, countries will not go back to the system and processes that got us here in the first place. We will build back better to avoid all the deficits that led us here."

Ahonsi argues that only a crisis as large as this can radically change human behavior. He surmises that the virus, while not that lethal, has demonstrated to the world the dangers of not prioritizing the right thing.

The pandemic is wreaking havoc as countries struggle to reopen schools and businesses. Ahonsi says, "The world was caught unprepared. It proved that public health, education and economics were interlinked. It shows the need for seriously pursuing sustainable development."

While some may bemoan the costs of sustainable development, no one would argue the costs of battling the pandemic, the wildfires, the floods and the typhoons that characterized 2020. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain clauses related to climate action and wildlife protection that will offer returns on investments in the long-run.

World Insight with Tian Wei is an international platform for debate and intelligent discussion. It is the meeting point of both the highly influential and rising voices, facilitated by host Tian Wei. It provides nutrition to form your own thoughts and ideas through a 45-minute live debate and interviews.

Schedule: Monday-Saturday

Time (GMT): 1415, 2015

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