UN adopts 17 Global Goals

"Every so often the world takes a historic step forward as a global community," said UNEP executive director, Achim Steiner. "The 2030 agenda agreed to today by 193 nations is an important and unique moment in our shared history. For the first time, we have a development agenda that is focused on sustainability in both the developing and the developed world.

"The 17 Global Goals, which are at the centre of the 2030, crucially incorporate environmental sustainability and social equity with economic progress. That integration will be critical to a sustainable pathway forward for the planet and its peoples," Steiner said.

"UNEP is committed to working toward the 17 Global Goals and supporting countries in integrating the environmental dimension in their development ambitions. We have a unique opportunity to now work on a global agenda that unites us as a planet and a community of nations. Embracing this task with commitment and ambition can make the 2030 agenda a pivotal moment in the history of our world," he concluded.

Sustainable Development Goals as defined in Transforming Our World - the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

• End poverty in all its forms everywhere
• End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
• Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
• Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
• Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
• Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
• Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
• Reduce inequality within and among countries. 
• Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
• Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
• Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
• Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
• Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

For more info, go to www.sustainabledevelopment.un.org.