Sustainable development goals (SDGs)

1. List all the sustainable development goals.

· No poverty

· zero poverty

· good health and well-being

· quality education

· gender equality

· clean water and sanitation

· affordable and clean energy

· decent work and economic growth

· industry, innovation and infrastructure

· reduced inequalities

· sustainable cities and communities

· responsible consumption and production

· climate action

· life below water

· life on land

· peace, justice and strong institutions

· partnerships for the goals

2.  What is the differences between SDGs and MDGs?

Ø While MDGs were focused with only 8 goals, 21 targets and 63 indicators, SDGs include 17 goals with 169 targets.

Ø MDGs were drawn up by a group of experts in the ‘basement of UN headquarters’ whereas SDGs have evolved after a long and extensive consultative process.

Ø MDGs had a focus on developing countries with funding came from rich countries and all countries, developed or developing, are expected to work towards achieving SDGs.

Ø MDGs had a time span of 25 years though adopted in 2002 baseline data for the year 1990 was used and some of the baselines were revised subsequently which shifted ‘the goal post’. For the SDGs, the baseline is from 2015 estimates. It may be revised as more recent data becomes available.

Ø SDGs include a vision of building vibrant and systematic partnerships with private sector to achieve sustainable development.

Ø MDGs had no concrete role for the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), whereas SDGs have paid attention to this right from the framing stage itself with significant engagement of civil society actors.

Ø MDGs had 3 direct health goals, 4 targets and 15 indicators with emphasis on child, maternal mortality and communicable diseases. SDGs have one comprehensive goal emphasizing well-being and healthy living including NCDs.

3. How will the Sustainable Development Goals be monitored?

Indicators will be the backbone of monitoring progress towards the SDGs at the local, national, regional, and global levels. A sound indicator framework will turn the SDGs and their targets into a management tool to help countries develop implementation strategies and allocate resources accordingly, as well as a report card to measure progress towards sustainable development and help ensure the accountability of all stakeholders for achieving the SDGs.

The mechanics of SDG monitoring are still being worked out, but an emerging consensus suggests that the focus of SDG monitoring will be at the national level. Complementary monitoring will occur at regional and global levels. Moreover, each major thematic community, such as health, education, agriculture, and so forth, will mobilize, analyze, and communicate data on progress towards achieving its objectives. Such thematic monitoring and review will be an important complement to official monitoring and review at national, regional, and global levels.