The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

What are the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals?

As an advisor in international development finance and sustainable investing, the United Nation’s Social Development Goals, commonly called the SDGs, are a regular topic of conversation. The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, these 17 goals for people and plant are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a bold 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.

How is progress going toward meeting the SDGs?

Since 2015, more people around the world are living better lives compared to just a decade ago – with greater and better access to healthcare, decent work, and education. However, actions to meet the SDGs are not advancing at the speed or scale required. And inequalities and climate change are threatening to undo the gains. 

With just under ten years left to achieve the SDGs, world leaders at the SDG Summit in September 2019 called for a Decade of Action on three levels: global action, local action and people action. At the core of the 2020-2030 Decade of Action is the need to tackle growing poverty, empower women and girls, and address the climate emergency.

What can we do?

Ambitious action to deliver the SDGs by 2030 is required – including innovative solutions and close collaborations between governments, businesses and individuals. Investment in inclusive and sustainable economies can unleash significant opportunities for shared prosperity. And the political, technological and financial solutions are within reach. Greater political and business leadership along with rapid, unprecedented changes are needed to align these levers of change with sustainable development objectives.

If you’d like to learn more about the UN’s SDGs – what they are, how they impact your organization and what you can do today to act – please reach out!