Transforming our World: The 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Member States of the United Nations have agreed the final version of the post-2015 Development Agenda – now known as 2030 Agenda.

The new 2030 Agenda is a framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a total of 169 Targets spanning economic, environmental and social development. They lay out a plan for all countries to actively engage in making our world better for its people and the planet.

To quote from the UN Declaration announced today in this document here:
Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (pdf)

The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet:
People
We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
Planet
We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
Prosperity
We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.
Peace
We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
Partnership
We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focussed in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.

The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realised. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, thelives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better.

Some Early Considerations

Whilst every Member State has agreed to this new declaration and agenda (hence it taking >3 years negotiations) all the follow-up actions are voluntary. Furthermore none of this is legally binding - it's a political agreement. So we will have to wait and maintain pressure to see anything done in its name.

It also looks at this preamble level somewhat superficial, but when we observe the specific targets it gets much more realistic.

Check out these information based Targets for instance:
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women

 9.c Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and
affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020

 12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to
integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

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