17 Goals to Transform Our World

In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets. In 2016, the Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force, addressing the need to limit the rise of global temperatures.

Governments, businesses and civil society together with the United Nations are mobilizing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. Universal, inclusive and indivisible, the Agenda calls for action by all countries to improve the lives of people everywhere. Building upon the success of the Millennium Development Goals, this new development agenda is the international community’s primary guide for sustainable development in the years to come.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes, under Sustainable Development Goal 17, entitled “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development”, a call for enhanced global partnerships for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Goals.

In furtherance of the 2030 Agenda, UNOP facilitates the engagement of private sector, civil society and philanthropic leaders in the work of the UN system through partnership advisory services and the convening of events that promote cross-sector dialogue, outreach and catalysing of new partnership opportunities.

Below is a quote from Secretary-General António Guterres on the importance of Strengthening Partnerships and SDG 17:

"We must recognize that the United Nations is not the only actor, and in many cases not event the most important actor. The ultimate goal is not to expland our remit but---with humility---to make a real difference for people, especially the most vulnerable. As the anchor of multilateralism with universal membership, the United Nations has unparalleled capacity to convene and mobilize. The UN system is most impactful when enabling others. This means building meaningful partnerships with the widest array of Governments, regional organizations, international financial institutions, civil society organizations, academia and the private sector, always being truthful to our mission as the guardian of the international norms that the Organization has generated over the past seven decades."

We encourage all organizations and companies to utilise the SDG logo and icons to demonstrate support for the Sustainable Development Goals. Click here to download the SDG logo, colour wheel, and the 17 SDG icons.

End extreme poverty. Fight inequality and injustice. Fix climate change. Whoa. The Sustainable Development Goals are important, world-changing objectives that will require cooperation among governments, international organizations and world leaders. It seems impossible that the average person can make an impact. Should you just give up?

No! Change starts with you. Seriously. Every human on earth—even the most indifferent, laziest person among us—is part of the solution. Fortunately, there are some super easy things we can adopt into our routines that, if we all do it, will make a big difference.

Have a look at just a few of the many things you can do to make an impact! Click here to learn about big differences you can make by small actions made from your couch, home, neighborhood, and work.