Do you know your SDGs?
The Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”)
“Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract - sustainable development - and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people.”
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. They build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and go further by addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality and by promoting sustainable development in all its dimensions - economic, social and environmental.
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these goals include:
No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Reduced Inequalities
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life on Land
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Partnerships for the Goals
The SDGs are designed to be universally applicable and relevant to all countries, regardless of their level of development. Each goal has specific targets that are measurable and time-bound, and they are meant to be achieved through collaborative efforts between governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals.
Importantly, the SDGs are interrelated and interconnected, recognizing that no single goal can be achieved in isolation.
The SDGs are not legally binding, but they do represent a commitment by all UN Member States to work towards their achievement. This means that all countries have a role to play in achieving the SDGs, and that achieving the goals requires the cooperation and collaboration of governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals around the world.
Overall, the SDGs represent a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future for all people and the planet. Achieving them will require sustained effort and investment, but the benefits of doing so will be significant for current and future generations.
Watch and Learn
Additional Resources
https://sdgs.un.org
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals
https://www.globalgoals.org
https://unglobalcompact.org/sdgs/about
https://en.unesco.org/sustainabledevelopmentgoals
