While the world is getting ready to go full steam ahead with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, integration of development efforts is crucial for success in tackling poverty, inequality, and climate change across all communities.

To promote the integration of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, both within the United Nations system and beyond, the UN Economic and Social Council hosted the 2016 session of the integration segment at UN headquarters in New York.

This integration segment focuses on the importance of implementation through policy innovation and integration, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the opening session.

”It is a reminder that we will have to be creative in linking the three dimensions of sustainable development.”

The high-level participants of the forum – including a head of state, ministers and mayors and the representatives of the UN, civil society, academia and private sector – shared best practices in policy integration, along with lessons learned and reiterations on how important it is to get this right.

Taavi Rõivas, Prime Minister of Estonia, stressed that reaching the goals and targets would result in a more sustainable and stable world for future generations.

“All people are better off when our environment is preserved. When our economies grow stronger and human rights are universally protected,” Rõivas said. “This may also mean that we may have a chance of peace and security. If we don’t achieve the 2030 targets, the existing conflict will amplify, from terrorism to conventional border conflicts, to the shortage of natural resources.”

A round table event at the segment,  moderated by the presenters of the BBC world radio program “My perfect country” put the spotlight on examples of what is considered good public policy around the world.

The radio program even recorded a live segment during the meeting, with representatives from governments and private sector initiatives discussing on the most important elements of successful public administration mechanisms.

Through an interactive dialogue on how to best support Member States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, UN ECOSOC created a basis for true integration across sectors and disciplines, and between actors and institutions, turning stakeholders in development into partners for success.