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The deadline for the SDGs’ implementation is approaching: in less than five years, the questions would arise about the SDG-post-2030 agenda. The global community’s message is that the UN-2030 sustainability plan should not be the end of the noble goals, rather mark the “beginning of idea’ reinvention”. However, only collaborative governance, coherent and integrated SDGs policies could sustain necessary sustainability pace and turn SDGs into productive actions.
Background
The global economic growth is at a critical juncture, facing an array of interconnected global challenges. These challenges affect all the states, citizens and companies, ranging from the triple planetary crises (climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution) to pandemics, food and energy shortages, large-scale forced migration, rising domestic and global inequality, and escalating armed conflicts.
In this context, there has been an alarming stagnation in progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. The rise in public debt levels in many low- and middle-income countries is of great concern; e.g. the UN Secretary-General in the special edition report on SDG progress in 2023 underscored that the “final seven years” would be critical: failure to achieve the SDGs could lead to even greater poverty and inequalities, political instability, economic upheaval and irreversible environmental damage.
As the UN member states approach 2030, there is increasing recognition that the SDGs commitments to “leave no one behind” and “reach those furthest behind first” need to extend beyond this timeline. In this context, the UN Summit of the Future presented a unique opportunity to tackle both current and future challenges, with a view to enhancing global collaboration on critical issues. The OECD’s policy work and active global
engagement demonstrates its commitment to support all countries to individually and collectively achieve this objective.
Note. The UN Summit of the Future was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 22–23, 2024, aiming to strengthen multilateralism, accelerate implementation of existing international commitments, and address emerging global challenges.
World leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, which includes the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future.
Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=un+summit+of+the+future+2024&sca.
Policies and investments for the SDGs transformation
Sustainable transformation requires prioritising policies and investments that are mutually reinforcing and can catalyse progress across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, serving as multipliers to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.
This includes closing divides to leave no one behind, through strengthening policies and investments for social inclusion and identifying areas where social inclusion initiatives can be pursued in synergy with environmental protection.
A key example of this is pursuing universal social protection, in light of its significant multiplier effects across different SDGs and incomparable potential for promoting just transitions. In addition, leveraging environment-human-wellbeing synergies is essential for coherent and effective SDG implementation.
This requires enhancing transition finance credibility, strengthening domestic enabling conditions, addressing the labour and distributional impacts of climate policies, accelerating access to clean energy, and protecting biodiversity.
In addition, there is a need to strengthen measures to protect lives in disaster situations by aligning disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation responses.
The corporate community’s impetus
In January 2026, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Nestlé tried to explore the ways corporate community in the world “can accelerate change” and in that regard act as catalysts for systemic sustainable transformation both beyond 2030 and further on…
It is generally acknowledged important role businesses play in the innovation sphere and their capacity to extend across the supply chain, reaching multiple sectors and the states’ political economies.
Many businesses are operating under significant pressures, e.g. induced by modern challenges, such as climate change, digitalisation and breached geo-economic values chains. Still, there are numerous opportunities for innovation that can assist in scaling-up necessary solutions and drive transformation needed to deliver the SDG-17 up to 2030 and beyond.
More on SDG 17 partnership in: https://sdg.iisd.org/sdgs/goal-17-partnerships-for-the-goals/
However, it is often difficult for companies to think long-term, especially in the current geopolitical climate, but it is still important to recognize the progress achieved over the ten years of the SDG agenda, including in areas such as the energy transition, research and scientific advancements, renewables, etc. The progress achieved (though quite modest) emphasize that the “sustainability narrative” has become increasingly embedded in the political economy both in the corporate spheres, in the social agenda, and demonstrating fundamental shifts in consumption patterns and people’s behavior.
As to the perspectives, it is evident that the interaction between technology, innovation and entrepreneurship will be key in driving higher impact in areas such as education, health and technology. These tends require additional focus on collaborative governance, including citizen and business engagement, to ensure progress on the 2030 Agenda and beyond amid global challenges and transformations.
Reference and citations from: https://sdg.iisd.org/news/what-comes-after-2030-contribution-of-private-sector-to-the-sdg-agenda
At the same time, numerous sources during the last decade (aka, since the SDGs adoption in 2015) emphasized both the importance of looking at a more dynamic SDGs implementation and at vital collective cross-sectoral partnerships in achieving SDGs.
Private sector representatives shared experiences on how businesses are focusing on sustainability in the coming five years left to 2030, including by enabling a shift to regenerative agriculture through technical support and trainings for farmers, as well as finance and data collection.
OECD contribution
The OECD contribution to the discussions on the future of the UN Agenda-2030 – appeared in the report called “Shaping sustainable future for all”, published in 2024 – aims to promote action to reinforce sustainable development and protect it from existing and emerging challenges, while underscoring that robust governance systems are essential for upholding individual rights and freedoms and achieving long-term sustainable well-being.
The report addresses five priorities essential for sustainable and equitable future and for
achieving the SDGs: i) equipping governance and institutions for sustainable and inclusive transformation, ii) prioritising policies with multiplier effects for sustainable development, iii) sustainable development and financing, iv) science, technology, innovation and digital cooperation, and v) youth and future generations’ role in SDGs.
Science, technology and innovation (STI) policies can play an important role in helping countries achieve the SDGs. Renewed momentum is needed to direct STI policies towards addressing economic and societal challenges, particularly achieving the SDGs.
Thus, the states are developing a Global Digital Compact which is presented as an annex to the Pact for the Future. The Compact aims to provide the principles, objectives, and actions for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centered digital future through multi-stakeholder action.
To support this global effort, the OECD’s existing work on science, technology and innovation highlights how the OECD’s insights can advance equitable and sustainable development, while anticipating and responding to future trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Altogether, the OECD’s strategic response to the SDGs encompasses generating evidence, identifying good practices, developing standards and aiding policy design and implementation. Recognising the importance of collaborative partnerships, the OECD leverages its expertise to aid countries at all development levels and has historically engaged in UN processes related to human development and wellbeing, financing for development, environmental sustainability, and climate change, playing a sizeable role in shaping the UN-2030 Agenda.
Reference and citations from: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/07/oecd-contributions-to-the-2030-agenda-and-beyond_018cc789/69c94bd4-en.pdf
nice topic