GOAL OF THE MONTH – Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

___________

Where We Are

Economic growth, social development and climate action are heavily dependent on investments in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development, and technological progress. In the face of a rapidly changing global economic landscape and increasing inequalities, sustained growth must include industrialization that first of all, makes opportunities accessible to all people, and second, is supported by innovation and resilient infrastructure.

To advance towards Goal 9, countries must boost investment in resilient infrastructure and research and development (R&D), expand access to financing for small manufacturers, and bridge the digital divide by prioritizing affordable broadband and innovation systems in the world’s most underserved region.

The Pact for the Future supports SDG 9 by promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, expanding infrastructure investment, and fostering innovation through science, technology, and digital connectivity. Key actions include scaling up financing for productive capacities in developing countries, improving internet access and affordability, and building digital competencies in public institutions to deliver secure and user-centered digital services.

SDG 9 in Numbers

  • As of 2024, 96 per cent of the world’s population was within reach of a mobile broadband network.
  • Global manufacturing value added (MVA) per capita grew 17.3 per cent from 2015 to 2024.
  • Maritime freight reached 11.6 billion metric tons in 2023, driven by the growing participation of developing countries.
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel combustion and industrial processes rose to a record 37.6 billion metric tons in 2024, up 8.3 per cent since 2015.
  • Only 31 per cent of small manufacturing enterprises have a loan or line of credit, revealing low financial accessibility as a significant barrier to growth.

“Digital education must be human-centered, nurturing not only technical ability, but also creativity, critical thinking, and compassion.”

– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, 15 July 2025

In Focus

5 August to 8 August | Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), lacking direct territorial access to the sea, struggle with international trade, connectivity, and economic development. The Third UN Conference on LLDCs, hosted in Awaza, Turkmenistan from 5 to 8 August, opens an opportunity to explore meaningful partnerships to unlock the potential of landlocked developing countries and pursue progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. By supporting these countries, we can help to build a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Key resources:

Key Event

5 August to 14 August | Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution

The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution is scheduled to take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The first part was held in South Korea in November 2024. The negotiations aim to address the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal.

International Days and Years

9 August | International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Each year, 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to raise awareness of the needs of the estimated 476 million people belonging to indigenous communities in the world living across 90 countries.

This year, UN DESA will hold a virtual event “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures” on 8 August 9:00 – 10:30 AM EST to highlight the positive potential AI holds for Indigenous Peoples, especially when led by Indigenous Peoples themselves. It is critical to invest in culturally rooted, Indigenous-led digital tools and innovations, and to involve Indigenous Peoples as co-creators, decision-makers, and rights-holders. Additional information on the event, along with registration details, can be found here.

12 August | International Youth Day

To mark this year’s International Youth Day, the UN Youth Office is leading a dedicated campaign focused on the role of young people in building peaceful, inclusive societies starting at the local level. Anchored in the principle of meaningful youth participation, the campaign highlights youth as equal partners in peacebuilding and inclusive governance.

Through a global call for user-generated content, the UN Youth Office is inviting young people to share real stories and examples of youth-led initiatives that prevent violence, promote dialogue, and build trust at the community level. These stories will be featured across UN platforms to help amplify youth contributions and shift public narrative on young people’s role as leaders in peace and security.

19 August | World Humanitarian Day 

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) honours humanitarian workers killed and injured in the line of duty and advocates for the protection of all civilians caught in crisis. Observed annually on 19 August – the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad – WHD has become a global moment to champion humanitarian action and those who deliver it.

WHD 2025 relaunches the #ActForHumanity campaign with sharper urgency. With 2024 the deadliest year on record for aid workers, and 2025 on track to be worse, the campaign calls on world leaders to uphold international humanitarian law, protect humanitarian workers and civilians, and end impunity for attacks.

A global digital campaign, new data on aid worker security and events across the world will spotlight the crisis and offer the public concrete ways to act. Learn more and join the call at https://worldhumanitarianday.org/  #ActForHumanity

ACTNOW for our Common Future

 

ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals can improve life for all of us. Safer cities. Equality. A Just Society. A peaceful world. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Join the campaign to learn — and do — more for #OurCommonFuture.

Visit ActNow: https://www.un.org/actnow

Awake at Night Podcast

Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, channels his passion into his work, bringing together UN agencies to support Africa in its drive for sustainable development. In this episode, he reflects on Africa’s fascinating diversity, as well as its invigorating self-confidence, resilience and ambition. Listen to the full episode here.

Discover all the episodes and previous seasons here -> https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night

SDG EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2025