United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected goals adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015. The goals provide a global framework for sustainable development and aim to address various economic, social, and environmental challenges facing the world. Building upon the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs encompass a broader range of issues, including:

1. No poverty: End poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Zero hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good health and well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and clean energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. Decent work and economic growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation.
10. Reduced inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable cities and communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible consumption and production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Life on land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

The SDGs aim to address the interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and social injustice. They provide a comprehensive and holistic framework to guide global efforts towards sustainable development by 2030. Governments, businesses, civil society organisations, and individuals are encouraged to take action and contribute to the achievement of these goals at local, national, and global levels.