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2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
What is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda), including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is a comprehensive, progressive and innovative agenda that responds to the many challenges faced by the world today and into the future. Agreed to by 193 United Nations member states in September 2015, including Australia, the 2030 Agenda guides global progress on a wide range of issues ranging from poverty reduction to more and better jobs. It is a global plan of action, linking and integrating economic, social and environmental outcomes.
Each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals has a set of targets and indicators to help measure progress.
For more information, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals websites.
Who is responsible for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda?
Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Member states are encouraged to:
- Establish multi-stakeholder partnerships to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
- Use the 2030 Agenda as a global framework to drive innovation and progress on each of the 17 goals, in collaboration with domestic and international partners.
- Conduct at least two voluntary national reviews to assess progress towards the 17 goals and associated targets.
- Share best practices that support domestic and global progress on sustainable development.
The role of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment
The department contributes to the aspirations and vision of the 2030 Agenda – “leaving no one behind” – through its employment assistance policies and programs. We work across governments, and with businesses and communities to ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to find a job and earn a decent living. In addition, we support small businesses, and make Australian workplaces safe, productive and inclusive.
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment contributes to the pursuit of a number of Sustainable Development Goals.
Australia’s first Voluntary National Review
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet coordinate Australia’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
In 2018, Australia conducted its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the 2030 Agenda. The VNR report, which was presented to the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2018, establishes a baseline for measuring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It also highlights Australia’s success in a number of the goals, and acknowledges the challenges and prospects for progress in the lead up to the 2030 timeframe. The VNR report is not just about government initiatives, but national efforts and commitments to the principles of sustainable development.
Read Australia’s Voluntary National Review 2018
How does the Australian Government measure progress against the SDGs?
As part of the Voluntary National Review process, the Australian Government established a National Reporting Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals to track our progress against the 169 targets. The platform contains Australian Government data that are closely aligned with the globally agreed SDG indicators.
Explore the Australian Government Reporting Platform on the SDGs.