Understanding the Dimensions of Sustainable Development

Understanding the dimensions
of sustainable development

By endorsing Agenda 2030
and its seventeen goals.

the world community has reaffirmed

its commitment to sustainable development

to ensure sustained and inclusive
economic growth,

social inclusion
and environmental protection,

and to do so in partnership and peace.

Agenda 2030 is universal, transformative
and rights-based.

It's an ambitious plan of action
for countries, the UN system

and all other development actors.

The Agenda inspires us
to think creatively

about the sustainability challenges
of today

so we can develop the right partnerships
and take the right actions.

At the heart of the Agenda
are five critical components:

people, prosperity, peace,
partnership, planet.

These, in turn, underpin the seventeen
sustainable development goals

and are applicable in all countries.

Agenda 2030 and the SDGs
are not simply items on a checklist.

They represent a holistic approach
to understanding and tackling problems

by guiding us to ask the right questions
at the right time.

To achieve this, we need to consider
several challenges

in order to work out how they connect with

and impact upon each other.

Finding these interdependences

helps us to address
the root causes of problems

and to create long-term solutions.

So, how does this work?

Sustainable development is usually viewed
through a lense of three core elements:

economic growth, social inclusion,
and environmental protection.

But it's important to remember that these
are not just categories or boxes.

They are connected
and have aspects in common.

For example, a health challenge,
like tuberculosis

is not only determined
by an unhealthy lifestyle,

it could also be influenced
by other factors,

such as poverty or air quality.

To develop this approach a step further,

two critical dimensions that will drive
Agenda 2030

were adopted by member states:

partnership and peace.

Partnerships strengthen the capacities
of all stakeholders to work together.

Peace, justice and strong institutions

are essential for improvements
in the three core areas.

Genuine sustainability sits at the center,

and it would be important to consider
each of the SDGs

through the lense
of these five dimensions.

Of course, we can't consider

every possible angle
of a single challenge.

That's why it's crucial
to build partnerships

to share knowledge and expertiece

to learn how we can jointly
address challenges.

This requires new ways
of working together

focused on co-creation.