History
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in
2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into
the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for
action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that
ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and
education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and
working to preserve our oceans and forests.
The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, including the UN Department of
Economic and Social Affairs
• In June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries
adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for
sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment.
• Member States unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration at the Millennium
Summit in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York. The Summit led to the
elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by
2015.
• The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation,
adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa in 2002,
reaffirmed the global community's commitments to poverty eradication and the
environment, and built on Agenda 21 and the Millennium Declaration by including more
emphasis on multilateral partnerships.
• At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, in June 2012, Member States adopted the outcome document "The Future We
Want" in which they decided, inter alia, to launch a process to develop a set of SDGs to build
upon the MDGs and to establish the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable
Development. The Rio +20 outcome also contained other measures for implementing
sustainable development, including mandates for future programmes of work in
development financing, small island developing states and more.
• In 2013, the General Assembly set up a 30-member Open Working Group to develop a
proposal on the SDGs.
• In January 2015, the General Assembly began the negotiation process on the post-2015
development agenda. The process culminated in the subsequent adoption of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 SDGs at its core, at the UN Sustainable
Development Summit in September 2015.
• 2015 was a landmark year for multilateralism and international policy shaping, with the
adoption of several major agreements:
• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (March 2015)
• Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (July 2015)
• Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17
SDGs was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York in
September 2015.
• Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December 2015)
• Now, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central
UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
Today, the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) provides substantive support and capacity-building for the
SDGs and their related thematic issues,
including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global
Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and Small Island Developing States. DSDG
plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on
advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. In order to make the 2030 Agenda a reality,
broad ownership of the SDGs must translate into a strong commitment by all stakeholders to
implement the global goals. DSDG aims to help facilitate this engagement.
Target
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) each have specific targets to achieve by 2030. Here’s a
brief overview of some key targets for each goal:
1. No Poverty: Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as
people living on less than $1.25 a day.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient
food all year round.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per
100,000 live births.
4. Quality Education: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality
primary and secondary education.
5. Gender Equality: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable
drinking water for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern
energy services.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with
national circumstances.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient
infrastructure.
10. Reduced Inequality: Reduce income inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable
housing and basic services.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Achieve the sustainable management and
efficient use of natural resources.
13. Climate Action: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and
natural disasters.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the
global partnership for sustainable development.
These targets are designed to be ambitious yet achievable, aiming to create a more sustainable and
equitable world. Is there a particular goal or target you’d like to explore further?
Implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a collaborative effort from
governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals. Here are some key strategies and actions for
effective implementation:
1. Policy Integration: Governments need to integrate the SDGs into national policies, plans, and
strategies. This includes aligning budgets and resources to support sustainable development
initiatives.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, private sector, NGOs,
and communities is crucial. Partnerships can leverage resources, expertise, and technology
to achieve the goals.
3. Data and Monitoring: Establishing robust data collection and monitoring systems to track
progress is essential. This helps in identifying gaps, making informed decisions, and ensuring
accountability.
4. Capacity Building: Strengthening the capacities of institutions and individuals to implement
and monitor the SDGs. This includes training, education, and knowledge sharing.
5. Public Awareness and Engagement: Raising awareness about the SDGs and encouraging
public participation. This can be done through campaigns, education programs, and
community initiatives.
6. Innovative Financing: Mobilizing financial resources from various sources, including public,
private, and international funding. Innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds and
impact investing can also play a role.
7. Localizing the SDGs: Adapting the global goals to local contexts and priorities. Local
governments and communities should be involved in planning and implementation to ensure
relevance and effectiveness.
8. Sustainable Practices: Encouraging businesses and individuals to adopt sustainable practices.
This includes reducing waste, conserving energy, and promoting sustainable consumption
and production.
9. Technology and Innovation: Leveraging technology and innovation to address challenges and
accelerate progress. This includes using digital tools, renewable energy, and sustainable
agriculture practices.
10. Inclusive Approaches: Ensuring that no one is left behind by focusing on marginalized and
vulnerable groups. This includes addressing inequalities and promoting social inclusion.
Implementing the SDGs is a complex and ongoing process, but with collective effort and
commitment, significant progress can be made towards a sustainable future.
Is there a specific aspect of implementation you’d like to dive deeper into?
Capacity development is crucial for achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It
involves enhancing the abilities of individuals, organizations, and societies to effectively implement
and sustain development initiatives. Here are some key aspects:
1. Building Institutional Capacity: Strengthening institutions to create policies and frameworks
that support sustainable development.
2. Enhancing Skills and Knowledge: Providing training and education to improve the skills and
knowledge of individuals involved in SDG implementation.
3. Promoting Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between governments, private sector,
civil society, and international organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
4. Mobilizing Resources: Ensuring adequate financial and technical resources are available for
SDG-related projects.
5. Improving Data and Monitoring: Developing robust systems for data collection and
monitoring to track progress and make informed decisions123.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) plays a significant role in
capacity development by providing tools and support to policymakers to translate global frameworks
into concrete actions1.
Is there a specific SDG or aspect of capacity development you’re particularly interested in?
