Transformative Actions

The defining principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind is a shared promise by every country to secure the rights and well-being of everyone, on a healthy, thriving planet. But halfway to the 2030 deadline, that promise is in peril.

The SDG Summit represents a vital opportunity to change course, move from rhetoric to action and break through to a better world. Government leaders and all stakeholders must step up ambition to drive the transformation needed to deliver the goals and to renew hope and awareness in our societies that if we make the right choices, that move us forward together, we can make a positive difference for the future.

To this end, the Secretary-General has urged world leaders to help deliver a Rescue Plan for People and Planet at the Summit, including by announcing national and global commitments that will help drive SDG transformation for inclusion and sustainability in the years ahead. As a follow-up to the call, the Deputy-Secretary-General has written to all Permanent Representatives of Member States and Permanent Observers of non-Member States to the United Nations to provide additional guidance to countries that intend to put forward such commitments this September. A guidance note for Member States is available below.

• Letter of the UN Secretary-General to Member States-SDG Summit >
• Letter from the Deputy Secretary-General on announcements of national and global commitment >
• Guidance Note on National Global Commitments to SDG Transformation >

Countries are encouraged to announce their National and Global Commitments to SDG Transformation at the SDG Summit through the contributions of Heads of State and Government and to register these commitments on SDG Summit Acceleration and Accountability Platform. Member States are encouraged to report on implementation of these commitments through existing follow-up and review processes including the Voluntary National Review Process.

In addition, the United Nations development system will seek to rally all actors behind a set of high impact initiatives aimed at demonstrating that transformative progress is possible despite challenging global circumstances and at mobilizing further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale between now and 2030.

Please see here for more information on the SDG Action Weekend and its links to High-level Week. (EPUB Available here)

For more information on the selected high impact initiatives and to contribute, click on the link below and contact the relevant high impact initiative focal point: