SDG Action was launched in 2021 to support the UN’s Decade of Action. Its aim is to encourage cross-sector dialogue and problem solving to accelerate the transition to sustainability.
Peace and security — Global, Middle East and Northern Africa
Civilian protection in armed conflict remains more aspiration than reality, as recent crises expose deep flaws in the international system. To restore credibility, the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) – a global pledge to prevent mass atrocities – must evolve and be backed by bold reform, regional initiative, and political will
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of preventable health issues and premature deaths worldwide. Tackling them requires long-term thinking, including investing in adolescents – the next generation of parents, citizens, and leaders
Digital innovation can drive progress toward the SDGs – yet the countries that stand to gain the most often face the highest barriers to adoption. We need a more inclusive model of technology transfer to close, not widen, the global development gap
Denying women and girls access to technology is not a gap – it’s a systemic injustice with global consequences. Urgent action to expand digital access, education, and agency, especially in the world’s poorest countries, is essential to ensure that half the population can shape – not be shut out of – our digital future
As global power becomes more diffuse and traditional institutions lose traction, the G20 stands out as a forum with the potential to reconnect a divided international system. Its success will depend on whether member states can find common cause – and act decisively when others won’t
Donald Trump’s vision of the UN as a great-power forum clashes with decades of evolution in global peacebuilding. How can UN members continue to advance peace as envisioned by the SDGs?
As communities face displacement due to escalating climate impacts, the prevailing attitude to migration in developed nations remains reactionary and inhumane. How can we shift the focus from managing migration to addressing the deep-rooted pressures driving mass movement in the first place?
Indirect lobbying of governments and institutions by industry associations remains an important way for companies to sabotage climate progress, and it’s flying under the radar. We need more responsible firms and governments to call out and curb these hidden and harmful practices before it’s too late
Carbon emission reduction plans designed by developed nations can – whether by intention or not – deny developing nations the opportunity to develop. Balancing climate action with economic progress is critical to creating an inclusive, resilient future for all
Emissions trading systems played a pivotal role in combating acid rain in the 1990s, but their rollout for greenhouse gases has been comparatively slow. What’s holding them back, and what will it take for these systems to help win the fight against climate change?
“Underpinning all our efforts must be a more concerted effort to dismantle gender barriers and empower all women and girls – because we cannot expect to achieve the Goals without gender equality,” António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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Climate change means millions more women and girls risk having insufficient food and resources to meet their basic needs. As women bear the brunt of climate impacts, so they must have equity in decision-making on climate solutions
While the war on Gaza devastates all its inhabitants as neighborhoods turn to rubble, the toll on Gazan women is particularly shocking. The world must act now to stop the immediate suffering – and then commit to the harder work of helping women rebuild their lives in a peaceful future
As developed economies deploy powerful incentives to boost low-carbon industries, critics argue they’re creating structural barriers for developing countries, hindering their ability to participate in and benefit from the global shift to clean energy. How can we balance climate investment and trade to promote a rapid, just transition for all nations?
With the Sustainable Development Goals at risk of falling short by 2030, a circular economy model could be the revitalizing force we need. By embracing the mutually reinforcing approach of sustainability and circularity, we can accelerate progress toward existing targets – and inspire a transformative vision for the decades ahead
Addressing climate change requires a paradigm shift: disruptive, decarbonizing technologies across agriculture, industrials, buildings, energy, and transportation, backed by strong government investment. By fostering exploratory innovation in each sector, we can create the comprehensive solutions for the sustainable transformation we need
