The SDGs were created to continue and expand upon the successes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were established in 2000 with the aim of reducing extreme poverty and improving health and education in developing countries. However, while the MDGs focused primarily on issues in developing nations, the SDGs recognize that sustainable development is a global challenge that requires efforts from all countries. The SDGs are broader and more ambitious, encompassing social, economic, and environmental dimensions of development and aiming to leave no one behind. The SDGs also reflect the interconnected nature of global challenges, acknowledging that progress in one area often depends on progress in others.

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

10. Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

• Scope: The MDGs had 8 goals that focused on addressing extreme poverty and related issues in developing countries. The SDGs have 17 goals that cover a broader range of issues, including economic growth, inequality, sustainable cities, and climate change, with a global focus.

• Universality: The MDGs primarily targeted developing countries, whereas the SDGs apply to all countries, recognizing that sustainable development is a global issue that affects both developed and developing nations.

• Inclusiveness: The SDGs aim to address inequalities within and between countries, ensuring that no one is left behind, while the MDGs focused more narrowly on specific issues.

• Integration: The SDGs emphasize the interconnectedness of the goals, acknowledging that progress in one area often depends on progress in others. For example, achieving good health (SDG 3) is linked to ending poverty (SDG 1) and ensuring access to clean water (SDG 6).

• Participation: The process of developing the SDGs involved a broader and more inclusive consultation with governments, civil society, businesses, and other stakeholders, compared to the MDGs.

The implementation of the SDGs is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals. Here’s how different actors contribute:

• Governments: National governments are primarily responsible for incorporating the SDGs into their policies, plans, and budgets. They set national targets based on the global goals and report on progress through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the United Nations.

• Businesses: The private sector plays a crucial role by aligning their strategies with the SDGs, adopting sustainable practices, and innovating solutions that contribute to the goals. Businesses can also engage in partnerships and report their SDG contributions through sustainability frameworks.

• Civil Society: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community groups, and other civil society organizations help to raise awareness, advocate for policies that support the SDGs, and hold governments and businesses accountable for their commitments.

• Individuals: Every person can contribute to the SDGs by making sustainable choices, supporting organizations and policies that promote sustainable development, and raising awareness about the goals.

Progress towards the SDGs is measured using a comprehensive set of 169 targets and 231 unique indicators that track advancements in specific areas. Countries report their progress through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. In addition to national reports, the UN publishes an annual SDG Progress Report that provides a global overview of the progress being made toward each goal.

Key components of SDG measurement include:

• Data Collection: Governments, UN agencies, and other organizations collect data on the indicators to assess progress. This data is used to produce reports and inform policy decisions.

• Global Indicators Framework: The Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) developed the global indicators framework, which provides a consistent approach to tracking progress across countries.

• Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs): Countries submit VNRs to the UN, which detail their progress on the SDGs, share best practices, and identify challenges.

• Global Reporting: The annual SDG Progress Report, compiled by the UN, provides a snapshot of global and regional progress, highlighting areas where efforts need to be intensified.