INTRODUCTION
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a
universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—that is, they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development
must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.
All 17 Goals interconnect, meaning success in one
affects success for others. Dealing with the threat
of climate change impacts how we manage our
fragile natural resources, achieving gender equality
or better health helps eradicate poverty, and
fostering peace and inclusive societies will reduce
inequalities and help economies prosper. In short,
this is the greatest chance we have to improve life
for future generations.
The SDGs replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which started a global effort in 2000 to tackle the indignity of poverty. The
MDGs established measurable, universally-agreed objectives for tackling extreme poverty and hunger, preventing deadly diseases, and expanding
primary education to all children, among other development priorities.
The MDGs did not consider environmental issues, e.g.
• Emissions of greenhouse gasses
• Access to clean drinking water
• Management of water resources
New focus on the concept of ‘sustainable development’
• Need to consider the relationship between nature and society
• Social, environmental and economic dimensions
Sustainable Development Goals
END EXTREME POVERTY IN ALL FORMS BY 2030.
One of the greatest challenges facing humanity. More than 800 million people around the world still live on less
than $1.25 a day. Poverty is more than the lack of income or resources: People live in poverty if they lack basic
services such as healthcare, security, and education.
Poverty affects age groups differently, with the most
devastating effects experienced by children. It affects
their education, health, nutrition, and security, impacting
emotional and spiritual development.
END HUNGER, ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVED
NUTRITION AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Goal 2 states that by 2030 we should end hunger and all forms of malnutrition.
This would be accomplished by doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
(especially women and indigenous peoples), by ensuring sustainable food production systems, and by
progressively improving land and soil quality.
Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world,
providing livelihoods for 40% of the global population. It
is the largest source of income for poor rural
households.
The SDGs aim to end all forms of hunger and
malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people–especially
children–have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This
involves promoting sustainable agricultural, supporting
small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology
and markets. It also requires international cooperation to
ensure investment in infrastructure and technology to
improve agricultural productivity.
GOOD HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL TO SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT AND THE 2030 AGENDA REFLECTS THE
COMPLEXITY AND INTERCONNECTIVITY OF THE TWO.
It takes into account widening economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and
the environment, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases, and emerging challenges such
as no communicable diseases.
Universal health coverage will be integral to achieving
SDG 3, ending poverty and reducing inequalities.
Emerging global health priorities not explicitly included
in the SDGs, including antimicrobial resistance, also
demand action.
POVERTY, ARMED CONFLICT AND OTHER EMERGENCIES KEEP
MANY, MANY KIDS AROUND THE WORLD OUT OF SCHOOL.
Since 2000, there has been enormous progress on the goal to provide primary education to all children
worldwide: the total enrolment rate in developing regions has reached 91%. By measures in any school, that’s a
good grade
The Quality of education Should be provided for
everyone as it is the basic stage of learning and it
helps in generating interest in field of work.
ENDING ALL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IS
NOT ONLY A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, IT’S CRUCIAL FOR
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE; IT’S PROVEN THAT EMPOWERING
WOMEN AND GIRLS HELPS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
UNDP has made gender equality central to its work and we’ve seen remarkable progress in the past 20 years.
There are more girls in school now compared to 15 years ago, and most regions have reached gender parity in
primary education.
The percentage of women getting paid for their work is
on the rise. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to
build on these achievements to ensure that there is an
end to discrimination against women and girls
everywhere.
MORE AND MORE COUNTRIES ARE EXPERIENCING WATER
STRESS, AND INCREASING DROUGHT AND DESERTIFICATION IS
ALREADY WORSENING THESE TRENDS.
By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water shortages.
Safe and affordable drinking water for all by
2030 requires we invest in adequate
infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities,
and encourage hygiene. Protecting and
restoring water-related ecosystems is
essential.
BETWEEN 2000 AND 2016, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH
ELECTRICITY INCREASED FROM 78 TO 87 PERCENT.
Investing in solar, wind and thermal power, improving energy productivity, and ensuring energy for all is vital if
we are to achieve SDG 7 by 2030.
Expanding infrastructure and upgrading
technology to provide clean and more
efficient energy in all countries will
encourage growth and help the
environment.
GLOBAL ECONOMY CONTINUES TO RECOVER WE ARE
SEEING SLOWER GROWTH, WIDENING INEQUALITIES,
AND NOT ENOUGH JOBS TO KEEP UP WITH A GROWING
LABOUR FORCE.
The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation.
Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to
this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour,
slavery and human trafficking. With these targets in mind,
the goal is to achieve full and productive employment, and
decent work, for all women and men by 2030.
INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION ARE
CRUCIAL DRIVERS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
With over half the world population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are becoming
ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information and communication technologies.
Technological progress is also key to
finding lasting solutions to both economic
and environmental challenges, such as
providing new jobs and promoting energy
efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries,
and investing in scientific research and
innovation, are all important ways to
facilitate sustainable development.
REDUCED INEQUALITIES IT STARTS FROM YOU.
Income inequality has increased in nearly everywhere in recent decades, but at different speeds.
It’s lowest in Europe and highest in the Middle East.
ethnicity.
These widening disparities require sound
policies to empower lower income earners,
and promote economic inclusion of all
regardless of sex and race.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED
WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE BUILD
AND MANAGE OUR URBAN SPACES.
The rapid growth of cities—a result of rising populations and increasing migration—has led to a boom in mega-
cities, especially in the developing world, and slums are becoming a more significant feature of urban life.
Making cities sustainable means creating career and business
opportunities, safe and affordable housing, and building
resilient societies and economies. It involves investment in
public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving
urban planning and management in participatory and inclusive
ways.
THE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF OUR SHARED NATURAL
RESOURCES, AND THE WAY WE DISPOSE OF TOXIC WASTE
AND POLLUTANTS, ARE IMPORTANT TARGETS TO ACHIEVE
THIS GOAL.
Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is
supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.
Climate change is already having a profound and alarming impact
worldwide. Global temperatures continued to increase in 2016.
The national adaptation plan (NAP)
process is designed to help developing
countries identify their medium- and long-
term needs for adaptation to the effects of
climate change, and to formulate and
implement strategies and programmes to
address those needs.
THE SDGS AIM TO SUSTAINABLY MANAGE AND PROTECT MARINE
AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS FROM POLLUTION, AS WELL AS
ADDRESS THE IMPACTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION.
Enhancing conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also
help mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans.
Oceans absorb up to 30 per cent of the annual emissions
of CO2 generated by human activity, helping mitigate the
rise in greenhouse gases.
These changing conditions can lead to significant
weakening of the shells and skeletons of many marine
species.
As atmospheric CO2 levels increase, estimates indicate
that oceans could be nearly 150 per cent more acidic by
2100.
PROTECT, RESTORE AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE USE OF
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS, SUSTAINABLY MANAGE
FORESTS, COMBAT DESERTIFICATION, AND HALT AND
REVERSE LAND DEGRADATION AND HALT BIODIVERSITY
LOSS.
Plant life provides 80 percent of the human
diet, and we rely on agriculture as an
important economic resources. Forests
cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface,
provide vital habitats for millions of species,
and important sources for clean air and
water, as well as being crucial for combating
climate change.
PROMOTE PEACEFUL AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDE ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FOR ALL AND BUILD EFFECTIVE, ACCOUNTABLE AND
INCLUSIVE INSTITUTIONS AT ALL LEVELS.
We cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance,
based on the rule of law.
The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to
end conflict and insecurity.
Promoting the rule of law and human rights are key to
this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and
strengthening the participation of developing countries in
the institutions of global governance.
STRENGTHEN THE MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND
REVITALIZE THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
The world is more interconnected than ever. Improving access to technology and knowledge is an
important way to share ideas and foster innovation.
Coordinating policies to help developing countries
manage their debt, as well as promoting investment for
the least developed, is vital for sustainable growth and
development.
