The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected objectives designed to address the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, these goals provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
The SDGs were created to build upon the progress made by the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while addressing their limitations. The MDGs were eight international development goals established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, set to be achieved by 2015. They focused primarily on reducing extreme poverty and hunger in developing countries. While significant progress was made, it became clear that a more comprehensive and universal approach was needed to tackle global challenges.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was officially adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in 2015. This historic agreement set out a 15-year plan to achieve the 17 goals.
Engineering is about the knowledge and practice of solving problems. Engineers as a profession play a vital role in addressing basic human needs, alleviating poverty, promoting secure and sustainable development, responding to emergency situations, reconstructing infrastructure, bridging the knowledge divide, and promoting intercultural cooperation. They connect social needs with appropriate technological innovation and commercial applications.
As such, engineering is a major driver for sustainable socio-economic development. It has contributed to our ability to survive disasters and public health challenges, to secure food and water, to communicate and transport, and to innovate and create new products and services. Wherever there is a problem, there is a need for engineering solutions.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a blueprint for action, and engineers are now at the forefront to deliver on the SDGs using their scientific knowledge and experience to turn innovative ideas into sustainability projects for the benefit of all.
Several factors inspired the creation of the SDGs:
While progress has been made in some areas, the world is not on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Some notable achievements and challenges include:
Achievements:
Challenges:
