Weaving a single thread for people and planet

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) being devised by the General Assembly's Open Working Group could mark an evolution in United Nations development thinking. The Group will come together for its fifth session from 25-27 November in New York, to discuss sustained and inclusive economic growth, macroeconomic policy questions, infrastructure development and industrialization, and energy.

"Properly conceived, the sustainable development goals offer a transformative moment," said Nikhil Seth, Director of UN DESA's Division for Sustainable Development. Past development efforts had often kept to thematic silos. "Discussions on the post-Rio+20 and post-2015 agendas made evident that a truly integrative vision is needed," he explained. There are essentially two sets of challenges: achieving universal human development and ensuring humanity does not exceed critical ecological thresholds. "The sustainable development goals have the potential of weaving one strong, resilient thread out of these two very closely associated – but until now separate – strands," said Mr Seth. - Read more...

Additional links:

• Further details on the upcoming session, which will be live-streamed, can be found here
  
• Link to the Major Groups section of the SDKP