(15 Sep 2021) The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. Adopted by all 193 UN Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these 17 Goals frame a 15-year plan to transform the world. Today, our collective progress falls short of the speed and scale required to achieve the Goals, and an ambitious Decade of Action is urgently needed to deliver them by 2030.
As the official source for United Nations books, journals, and data, UN Publications promotes the knowledge and work of the UN to scholars, information specialists, policy makers and influencers around the world. This includes information related to the SDGs, which UN Publications makes available to the public through the UN iLibrary, featuring titles such as the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), the Sustainable Development Goals Report and the UN World Water Development Report.
The GSDR is produced by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG), which is located in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and provides substantive support and capacity-building for the goals and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization and transport, among others. DSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs.
Published annually, the Sustainable Development Goals Report reflects both progress made and work remaining toward achieving the SDGs. Using the latest scientific assessments and evidence-based good practices, and linking future trajectories to current actions, the report identifies opportunities for a range of stakeholders to accelerate progress. Rooted in a holistic understanding of the interconnections between individual Goals and targets, these opportunities demonstrate that the true transformative potential of the 2030 Agenda can only be realized through a systemic approach in which trade-offs are managed and co-benefits maximized.
With a focus on water-related issues and priorities, UNESCO’s United Nations World Water Development Report provides tools for sustainable water practices. The 2020 edition, titled ‘Water and Climate Change’ illustrates the critical linkages between water and climate change in the context of the broader sustainable development agenda. Supported by examples from across the world, it describes both the challenges and opportunities created by climate change. With a view to improve adaptation, mitigation and resilience, it further provides sustainable approaches to enhancing water resources management, attenuating water-related risks, and expanding access to water supply and sanitation services.
These reports, along with hundreds of other timely publications, are available on the UN iLibrary. Readers may sign up for free to engage with global topics and improve their knowledge of the SDGs, content which can be easily located via the ‘Browse by SDG’ option in the navigation dropdown menu. To enable institution-wide access to UN Publications and experience the full benefits of the iLibrary, librarians are encouraged to subscribe.
Source: UN iLibrary
