GPNYC & the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a blueprint of 17 goals agreed by all 193 United Nations (UN) Member States in 2015 to transform our world for the better – have reached their midpoint of implementation, yet barely one in 10 of their requirements are on track to be met by 2030.
At their inception GPNYC was closely involved in drafting and helping to shape the SDGs and the accompanying 2030 agenda.
Developed by world-class experts who relied on extensive research the SDGs serve as a north star to guide future solutions.
What are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?
To understand the background of this initiative, turn the clock back to 1972 when the Cold War was creating rifts between nations as well as contention within the United Nations.
That year Sweden identified environmental pollution as an issue of potential cooperation among members of the UN, and organized the first world conference that addressed this issue. In 1992, to mark the 20th anniversary of this conference, the UN hosted the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro. During this conference, member states concluded that not only are social, economic, and environmental factors interdependent but that balancing these concerns is vital for sustaining human life.
For the next 22 years the United Nations researched and developed integrated approaches to solving issues of society, economy, and environment. In 2015, 193 member countries collectively joined to solidify the agenda for the newly developed 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Under this program, 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created and paired with 169 actionable targets to establish a united front and ensure prosperity for all people and the planet. (Read more on the SDGs.)
The UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) meets annually in July to review progress on accomplishing the SDGs.
GPNYC's support of SDG 3 and SDG 10
GPNYC has identified two SDGs that resonate strongly with our mission to combat ageism and promote intergenerational collaboration. These SDGs inform our initiatives and keep us on track to focus our advocacy efforts going forward.
Advocates in the nonprofit sector strive to achieve all the SDGs and shut down our operations when our missions have been accomplished. Today's nonprofits are working tirelessly to address some of the world’s largest and most complex societal problems.
SDG 3
SDG 10
Aims to prevent needless suffering from preventable diseases and premature death by focusing on key targets that boost the health of the overall population. Goal 3 also calls for deeper investments in research and development, health financing and health risk reduction and management.
Aims to address inequality related to income, gender, age, disability, race, ethnicity, or other factors and work towards sustainable development and social cohesion. This goal envisions a world where inequalities are reduced, and all individuals and groups have equal opportunities to lead fulfilling lives, regardless of their background or circumstances. Achieving this goal is essential not only for promoting social justice and human rights but also for creating a more stable, peaceful, and sustainable world where everyone can actively participate in and benefit from the global development process.