In 2015, a new global development agenda setting priorities for the next fifteen years has been launched. World leaders adopted Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September at the United Nations.
These goals represent a commitment by all countries to tackle some of the toughest global challenges: ending poverty and hunger, reducing inequality, providing good education, and achieving better health, good jobs and environmental sustainability. The goals also focus on peaceful and inclusive societies as well as international partnerships.
The new agenda is a universal one; sustainable development is about all of us. Achieving it requires us to reexamine how we live, work, consume, carry out our lives, build our industries and run our governments.
Armed with the Sustainable Development Goals, the world now has the bold roadmap it needs for inclusive and sustainable growth which doesn't wreck the planet.
Sustainable development requires whole of government approaches to economic, social, and environmental policies. But, engagement is also required from all sectors of society, and that requires vibrant, independent platforms for civil society. Goal 16 of the SDGs acknowledges this by calling for responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
New partnerships are needed for the SDGs' success. Initiatives like the Open Government Partnership (OGP) provide a clear example of what can work.
OGP was launched in 2011 as an international platform for domestic reformers committed to governance which is more open, accountable, and responsive to citizens. Since then, the partnership has grown from the initial eight countries to 66 participating countries now. In these countries, government and civil society are working together to develop and implement ambitious open government reforms.
UNDP's partnership with OGP members illustrates the breadth of ideas and creativity of what can be done; for example:
In Mexico, UNDP has worked with the government to integrate social inclusion indicators in an open data platform which allows users to explore and compare over one hundred indicators. It will allow citizens to follow Mexico's development progress and to engage with the government in creating solutions.
In Serbia, UNDP helped set up a parliamentary "mobile committee" which holds regular sessions outside the capital city, enabling greater public participation.
The transformation of our world is a tall order. The good news is that our generation has more wealth, more knowledge, and more technologies at our disposal than ever before. We have what it takes to achieve sustainable development for all.
Innovation and improvements in governance will be needed at every level. There is capacity to be built. Sweeping policy, legislative and regulatory changes are going to be needed for sustainable development. Whole of government approaches are needed across economic, social, and environmental decision making.
Success will require both political will and smart strategies to reach the last-mile of exclusion, and to confront the often painful and entrenched biases which have left those excluded behind.
The members of the Open Government Partnership have a head start in securing the commitment of both government and civil society stakeholders in building the kind of societies which make sustainable development possible: peaceful and inclusive societies which are characterized by institutions which are effective, accountable and responsive.
Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, is the keynote speaker at the 2015 Global Summit of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) on 28 October in Mexico City.
This post is part of a series produced by the Huffington Post and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) surrounding OGP's 2015 Global Summit, which is taking place in Mexico City from October 27-29.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.