The Sustainable Development Goals are the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 178 countries agreed to Agenda 21, a global partnership towards sustainable development. In 2000 at the Millennium Summit in New York, the Millenium Development goals were created to reduce poverty by 2015. In 2015 the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted with 17 goals centred around water, energy, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology. 

Sustainable Development Goals

  1. No Poverty: End poverty and ensure everyone has enough food, water and basic necessities.

  2. Zero Hunger: Ending hunger and achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. 

  3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensuring everyone has access to quality health care, promoting mental health, and addressing other health-related challenges.

  4. Quality Education: Provide inclusive and equitable education for everyone and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

  5. Gender Equality: Empower women and girls, ensure their rights, and eliminate gender discrimination.

  6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure everyone has access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities. 

  7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Expand access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources and promote renewable, efficient energy.

  8. Decent and Economic Growth: Promote sustainable economic growth, create decent jobs, and ensure fair and safe working conditions for everyone.

  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Develop resilient infrastructure and promote sustainable industrialization and innovation

  10. Reduced Inequalities: reduce inequalities by addressing issues related to income, gender, age, and disability

  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable with access to basic services, affordable housing, and sustainable transportation

  12. Responsible consumption: Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns by reducing waste, promoting recycling, and using resources efficiently

  13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, raise awareness and build resilience to climate-related challenges

  14. Life Below Water: conserve and sustainably use marine resources, protect ocean and marine life and reduce pollution

  15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and sustainably manage terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, stop biodiversity loss, and promote sustainable land use

  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for everyone, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions

  17. Partnership for the Goals: Strengthen global partnerships to achieve SDG’s involving governments, businesses, civil society,  and individuals working together


You can learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs website: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

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