Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a roadmap for creating a better world. Also known as Agenda 2030, the 17 SDGs address the many causes of poverty, injustice and damage to our planet.
The goals are backed up by 169 targets. These targets outline the actions needed to create a sustainable, prosperous and peaceful world.
The goals are universally applicable. This means they apply to every country in the world. We implement them in Ireland, as well as internationally.
The SDGs are the bedrock of our international development and humanitarian work.
Negotiating the SDGs
Ireland played a central role in facilitating agreement on the Sustainable Development Goals. Ireland, along with Kenya, co-facilitated the process that created the SDGs in 2015. This process brought together governments, civil society and the private sector.
We also co-facilitated, along with Qatar, the mid-term review of the SDGs in 2023.
Ireland’s appointment to these roles was a huge honour and a great responsibility. It was testament to Ireland’s reputation for international development, human rights and peacekeeping.
The mid-term review highlighted that only 12 per cent of the SDG targets are on track. We strongly believe the world needs renewed momentum to make the SDGs a reality.
Delivering the SDGs
Ireland has adopted a whole-of-government approach to the implementation of the SDGs. Every Minister in Government has responsibility for implementing relevant SDG targets.
The Government's international development policy, A Better World, integrates the SDGs.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for promoting the SDGs and overseeing their implementation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs leads Ireland's international efforts toward the SDGs. The Government's international development policy, A Better World, integrates the SDGs. It's overarching ambition is to reach the furthest behind first.
Voluntary National Review
In July 2023, Ireland presented our second Voluntary National Review on SDG progress to the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
This provided an assessment of progress achieved in the last five years. It focused on the progress across Government on areas such as climate, the circular economy, employment, education, health, housing.
It also looked at Ireland’s international support of the SDGs.
The report found that Ireland is progressing well in achieving the SDGs. We have fully achieved over 80% of the 169 targets. Significant progress has been made on targets in areas such as education, hunger, health and wellbeing.