Sustainable Development Goals Questions Medium
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed through a collaborative and inclusive process involving various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. The process began in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), where member states recognized the need for a set of universal goals to address global challenges.
To develop the SDGs, the United Nations established an Open Working Group (OWG) consisting of representatives from 70 countries. The OWG held numerous meetings and consultations to identify and prioritize the key issues and goals for sustainable development. They considered inputs from various sources, including national and regional consultations, expert advice, and thematic discussions.
In addition to the OWG, the United Nations also conducted a global consultation process called the "My World Survey," which engaged millions of people worldwide to gather their perspectives on the most pressing issues and priorities for sustainable development.
Based on these inputs, the OWG proposed a draft set of 17 goals and 169 targets, which were further refined and negotiated by member states. The goals cover a wide range of interconnected issues, including poverty eradication, education, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable cities, among others.
The final version of the SDGs, known as "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," was adopted by all 193 member states of the United Nations in September 2015. The goals are designed to be integrated and indivisible, recognizing the interlinkages between social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
Overall, the development of the SDGs was a participatory and inclusive process, aiming to ensure that the goals reflect the aspirations and priorities of people from all walks of life and regions of the world.