The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." These goals are integrated—they recognize that interventions in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Teams of experts from all over the world, including economists, scientists, and policymakers, have collaborated to identify the most pressing issues facing humanity and the planet. These range from eliminating hunger, achieving food_security, and improving nutrition through sustainable agriculture (Goal 2) to addressing more systemic challenges such as building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (Goal 9). Each goal has specific targets to be achieved by 2030, and progress towards these targets is measured by indicators.
Achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of governments, the private sector, civil society, and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations. This approach is encapsulated in Goal 17, which is all about revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. Some targets are universal, involving all countries, while others are more specific, focusing on the needs of developing countries, in particular the least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing States (SIDS), and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).
Significant strides have been made towards reaching the goals; however, the pace of progress is not uniform across all goals or geographic regions. Challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic have further complicated the global efforts, exposing and often exacerbating existing inequalities. Despite these hurdles, the SDGs provide a critical framework for COVID-19 recovery, ensuring that the rebuilding efforts promote not only recovery but also sustainability and resilience. The UN emphasizes the need to "build back better" by using the SDGs as guiding pillars, a strategy that requires robust global cooperation and a renewed commitment to a sustainable future.