The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

What is the role of the United Nations (UN)?

The SDGs came into effect in January 2016 and will continue to guide UNDP policy and funding until 2030. As the lead UN development agency, UNDP is strategically placed to help implement the Goals through its work in 170 countries and territories. 

The UNDP's plan focuses on key areas, including poverty alleviation, democratic governance and peacebuilding, climate change and disaster risk, and economic inequality. The UNDP supports governments in integrating the SDGs into national development plans and policies. 

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens need to collaborate.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Goal 1 - No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal 2 - Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Goal 4 - Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 5 - Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Goal 10 - Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Goal 13 - Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Goal 14 - Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Goal 15 - Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.

Goal 16 - Peace and Justice Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to promote human rights and the preservation of the environment in the long term. To reach these goals, we must combine the contribution of individuals, the support of governments with the help of funding, and indicators measuring the SDGs transparently.