Understanding the Dimensions of Sustainable Development

Understanding the dimensions
of sustainable development.

By endorsing Agenda 2030 and its 17 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 17
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 lens 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 lens 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 expertise

to learn how we can jointly
address challenges.

This requires new ways of working together

focused on co-creation.

National ownership is fundamental
to address challenges properly.

Many organizations and actors
have an important role to play.

Their involvement ensures
long-term engagement

and guarantees that no one is left behind.

The universal nature of Agenda 2030
also asks us to look at the planet as one.

Every country, every community
has issues to address,

and everyone shares
the responsibility and ownership

to address the challenges
that face us collectively.

To move forward, we must develop
the right capacities for Agenda 2030.

We need to invest in life-long learning
to be able to advocate for change,

foster action for implementation,
measure progress,

and to identify and empower
new partners to support Agenda 2030.

We all need to lead the way
towards the vision of a better world

within our lifetime,

because only if we ask the right questions
and seek the right answers,

and only if we take
our responsibility seriously,

will we be able to achieve
a truly transformational agenda,

leaving no one behind.