ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Marco Senaldi critiques UN Agenda 2030 as ideological supplement masking profit motive

opinion-review · 2026-04-27

In an article published on Artribune Magazine #57, philosopher and curator Marco Senaldi draws a parallel between the red palm weevil infestation on Capri and the UN's Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. He notes that on Capri, house numbers are traditionally painted on ceramic tiles, often depicting the owner's villa. One memorable tile showed a villa "delle due palme" (of the two palms), but the palms were killed by the red palm weevil, a parasite from Melanesia that arrived in Europe via trade networks driven by profit. Senaldi suggests some suspect the weevil was intentionally introduced to Capri for business purposes. He then argues that Agenda 2030's 17 goals, while clear and seemingly consensual, omit the root cause of global problems: profit. He calls this omission the "goal zero" and claims the Agenda is an ideological supplement that masks the real driver. Senaldi proposes a new Goal 1bis: "Eliminate forever ideological rhetoric in all its forms and everywhere in the world." The article is part of Artribune's coverage of politics and public administration.

Key facts

  • Marco Senaldi is a philosopher, curator, and contemporary art theorist.
  • He has taught at University of Milan Bicocca, IULM Milan, FMAV Modena, and Accademia di Brera.
  • He was Artistic Director of LABA Libera Accademia di Belle Arti.
  • The article was published on Artribune Magazine #57.
  • Capri has a tradition of ceramic house numbers, often hand-painted with villa portraits.
  • A ceramic tile depicted a villa 'delle due palme' (of the two palms).
  • The red palm weevil (Punteruolo rosso) is a parasite from Melanesia that kills palm trees.
  • The weevil arrived in Europe through trade networks driven by profit.
  • Some suspect the weevil was intentionally brought to Capri for business.
  • UN Agenda 2030 has 17 sustainable development goals to be achieved by 2030.
  • Goals include eradicating poverty, ending hunger, and ensuring responsible consumption.
  • Senaldi argues Agenda 2030 omits the root cause of problems: profit.
  • He calls profit the 'goal zero' and says the Agenda is an ideological supplement.
  • He proposes a new Goal 1bis: 'Eliminate forever ideological rhetoric in all its forms and everywhere in the world.'

Entities

Artists

  • Marco Senaldi

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • UN
  • University of Milan Bicocca
  • IULM Milan
  • FMAV Modena
  • Accademia di Brera
  • LABA Libera Accademia di Belle Arti

Locations

  • Capri
  • Italy
  • Melanesia
  • Europe

Sources