Episode 4: Origin Story of Sustainable Development Goals | Origin of SDGs | SDG Plus

Summary

As the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) reached their end in 2015, the UN initiated two teams to develop the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, presented in 2015, consist of 17 goals and 169 targets aimed at addressing the MDGs' shortcomings with a broader, transformative agenda. The success of the SDGs hinges on continued advocacy, inclusive development approaches, and adaptability to new global challenges.

Takeaways

• 🕍 As 2015 approached, the UN sought a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to address their limitations.
• 🌐 In 2012, the UN established two teams during the Rio +20 conference to develop a new agenda: the UN task team and the open working group.
• 🏛️ The UN task team, led by the UK Prime Minister and presidents of Liberia and Indonesia, focused on the post-2015 agenda.
• 🌟 The open working group, managed by intergovernmental groups, was responsible for creating new development goals and targets, engaging with civil society and member countries.
• 🔄 Both teams worked in parallel for three years, culminating in the post-2015 development agenda, which included goals and targets.
• 📈 In September 2015, the UN introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint for a better and sustainable future.
• 🌍 193 UN member countries committed to achieving the 17 SDGs and 169 targets by 2030, signifying a universal call to action.
• 🔗 The SDGs expanded on the MDGs by integrating social, economic, and environmental aspects, aiming for a more holistic approach.
• 🔄 The SDGs addressed the MDGs' shortcomings by including a broader, transformative agenda and engaging civil society organizations from the outset.
• 🌱 Unlike the MDGs, which were drafted by technocrats, the SDGs were developed with global input, making them more connected to worldwide development discussions.
• ❓ The success of the SDGs hinges on continued advocacy, inclusive development, local approaches, and adaptability to new global challenges like information warfare and technology-based inequality.

Q & A

Why did the UN need a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

The UN needed a successor to the MDGs because it was clear that the MDGs faced challenges that needed to be overcome, and a new agenda was required to address these issues more effectively.

What was the role of the UN task team in the development of the post-2015 agenda?

The UN task team, chaired by the Prime Minister of the UK and the presidents of Liberia and Indonesia, was responsible for preparing the UN's post-2015 agenda.

What was the function of the open working group in the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The open working group was responsible for preparing new development goals and setting targets. It worked with civil society organizations, consulted all member countries, and engaged the public through various means.

How did the SDGs differ from the MDGs in terms of inclusivity?

The SDGs differed from the MDGs by incorporating a broader and transformative agenda that was inclusive of all countries, developed or developing, and engaged civil society organizations from the beginning.

What were the main shortcomings of the MDGs that the SDGs aimed to address?

The MDGs were largely focused on targets for developing countries with funding from developed countries, provided no specific role for civil society organizations, and were disconnected from ongoing global debates due to being drafted by technocrats without consulting global knowledge and expertise.

How many goals and targets does the SDG framework consist of?

The SDG framework consists of 17 goals and 169 targets.

What was the significance of the SDGs being presented in September 2015?

The presentation of the SDGs in September 2015 marked a commitment by 193 countries of the UN assembly to achieve these goals by 2030, signifying a global consensus on a sustainable development agenda.

How does the SDG framework expand upon the MDGs?

The SDG framework expands upon the MDGs by linking the social, economic, and environmental aspects of its goals, creating a more holistic approach to development.

What are some of the ways the SDGs are expected to succeed?

The SDGs are expected to succeed through continued advocacy for each of its targets, promoting an inclusive approach to development, and incorporating a more granular and local approach.

What challenges might the SDGs face in achieving their goals?

The SDGs might face challenges such as countries choosing easier goals that require minimal national adaptation, leading to only a few goals receiving policy attention, effort, and resources. Additionally, new global challenges like information warfare, surveillance, populism, technology-based inequality, and immigration might require the SDGs to be more adaptable.

How does the script suggest the UN can ensure the success of the SDGs?

The script suggests that the success of the SDGs will depend on continued advocacy, promoting an inclusive approach to development, incorporating a local approach, and the UN's ability to be flexible and adaptable to new global challenges.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

As 2015 approached, the United Nations (UN) recognized the need for a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to address their shortcomings. In 2012, the UN formed two teams: the UN task team, led by the Prime Minister of the UK along with the presidents of Liberia and Indonesia, and the open working group, managed by intergovernmental groups. The task team was responsible for preparing the post-2015 agenda, while the open working group focused on new development goals and targets. They engaged with civil society organizations, consulted member countries, and involved the public through various means. After three years of work, culminating in the 2015 conference in New York, the UN presented the Sustainable Development Goals, a blueprint for a better and sustainable future. The SDGs, consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets, were adopted by 193 countries with a commitment to achieve them by 2030. The SDGs expanded on the MDGs by integrating social, economic, and environmental aspects and aimed to be more inclusive and transformative, engaging all countries and civil society from the outset.

Keywords

💡Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The Millennium Development Goals were a set of eight international development goals established by the United Nations following the Millennium Summit held in September 2000. They were intended to be achieved by 2015. In the video, the MDGs are mentioned as the predecessor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for a successor due to the challenges faced by the MDGs.

💡Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. They are an expanded and more universal set of objectives compared to the MDGs, aiming to be achieved by 2030. The video emphasizes that the SDGs were designed to overcome the shortcomings of the MDGs and include broader and more transformative goals.

💡Post-2015 Development Agenda

The post-2015 Development Agenda refers to the period and discussions that took place after the 2015 target date for the MDGs, during which the UN worked on developing the SDGs. The video mentions this period as a three-year process involving two teams working in parallel to create the new agenda.

💡UN Task Team

The UN Task Team was one of the two teams formed by the United Nations to develop the post-2015 agenda. It was chaired by the Prime Minister of the UK and the presidents of Liberia and Indonesia. The video describes the team's role as preparing the UN's post-2015 agenda, which was a precursor to the SDGs.

💡Open Working Group

The Open Working Group was another team established by the UN, managed by intergovernmental groups, and was responsible for preparing new development goals and setting targets. The video highlights the group's engagement with civil society organizations and member countries, which was a significant aspect of the SDGs' development process.

💡Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

Civil Society Organizations are non-governmental organizations that operate outside of the public sector and are involved in various social and political activities. The video points out that unlike the MDGs, the SDGs involved CSOs from the beginning, recognizing their importance in the development process.

💡Universal Goals and Targets

The term 'universal goals and targets' in the context of the video refers to the inclusive nature of the SDGs, which are applicable to all countries, developed or developing. This is a departure from the MDGs, which were largely focused on developing countries. The video emphasizes the collective responsibility of all nations to achieve these goals.

💡Transformative Agenda

A transformative agenda, as mentioned in the video, implies a fundamental change in approach or method. The SDGs are described as having a transformative agenda, which means they aim to bring about significant and lasting changes in the way development is approached and achieved.

💡Course Correction

Course correction in the video refers to the potential for the SDGs to adjust and adapt their strategies and goals as needed. It highlights the flexibility and adaptability required for the SDGs to be successful in the face of new global challenges.

💡Inclusive Approach

An inclusive approach in the context of the video means involving all relevant stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, in the development process. The video suggests that promoting an inclusive approach is key to the success of the SDGs.

💡Local Approach

A local approach, as discussed in the video, emphasizes the importance of tailoring development strategies to the specific needs and conditions of individual communities or regions. The video suggests that incorporating a more granular and local approach is crucial for the effective implementation of the SDGs.

Highlights

The UN recognized the need for a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as 2015 approached.

In 2012, the UN formed two teams to develop a new agenda during the Rio +20 conference.

The UN task team was chaired by the UK Prime Minister, and included the presidents of Liberia and Indonesia.

The open working group was managed by intergovernmental groups and prepared new development goals and targets.

The open working group engaged with civil society organizations and consulted all member countries.

Both teams worked in parallel for a three-year period known as the post-2015 development agenda.

In September 2015, the UN presented the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a conference in New York.

193 countries committed to achieving the SDGs by 2030.

The SDGs consist of 17 goals and 169 targets, expanding on the MDGs framework.

The SDGs address the shortcomings of the MDGs by incorporating a broader and transformative agenda.

Unlike the MDGs, the SDGs are applicable to all countries, developed and developing.

The SDGs engaged civil society organizations from the beginning, unlike the MDGs.

The SDGs were drafted with global input, in contrast to the MDGs which were drafted by technocrats.

The success of the SDGs may depend on continued advocacy and an inclusive approach to development.

The SDGs must be adaptable to new global challenges such as information warfare and technology-based inequality.

The UN's flexibility in adapting the SDGs to changing global circumstances is questioned.

The SDGs' potential success is uncertain, with the possibility of only a few goals receiving significant attention.

The video concludes by questioning whether the SDGs will be successful or face challenges that hinder their impact.

Transcripts

As 2015 was approaching, it was very clear that the UN desperately needed a

successor for the Millennium Development Goals one which was going to overcome

the challenges that plagued them. As the first step in 2012 during the Rio +20

conference the UN formed two teams to build an elaborate agenda to replace the

MDGs for the UN's upcoming 2015 conference in New York. The two teams

were the UN task team chaired by the Prime Minister of the UK and the

presidents of Liberia and Indonesia, and the open working group managed by

intergovernmental groups. the UN task team was responsible for preparing the

UN's post-2015 agenda, whereas the open working group was responsible for

preparing new development goals and setting targets. the open working group

worked with civil society organizations, consulted all member countries and

engaged the public using face-to-face and online meetings, and door-to-door

surveys. Both groups worked in parallel and combined their knowledge over this

three-year period which is known as the post-2015 development agenda,

encompassing both the agenda and the goals and targets. In September 2015

during the conference in New York after three years of negotiations and battles

the UN showcased the blueprint to achieve a better and sustainable future

for all- known as the sustainable development goals. 193 countries of the

UN assembly committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The SDGs consists of 17 goals and 169 targets. The core framework for the SDG's

expands on the MDGs by linking the social economic and environmental

aspects of its goals. The SDG's address the shortcomings of

the MDGs by incorporating a broader and transformative agenda. The MDGs which are

largely focused on the targets for developing countries with funding from

developed rich countries. However the SDGs are for all countries developed or

developing all of whom are expected to work together to achieve the universal

goals and targets.The MDGs also provided no specific role

for civil society organizations, whereas the SDGs have engaged the CSOs from the

beginning by consulting them during a three-year post development agenda

period. Finally the MDGs were drafted by

technocrats who failed to consult global knowledge and expertise. This meant that

the MDGs were disconnected from ongoing global debates on development priorities.

On the other hand the SDGs were drafted by an open working group which worked

with countries and organizations from all over the world.

Despite overcoming the challenges and criticisms of the MDGs the question

remains are the SDGs going to be successful while the SDGs provide a

broader agenda than the MDGs with a potential for course correction.Will

this make a difference? With transformative goals and target setting,

there is a chance that countries might choose SDG's that are easier to

implement- requiring minimal national adaptation which might result in only a

handful of the SDG goals and targets receiving policy attention, effort and

resources. Few things are certain if the scg's are to succeed they will depend on

continued advocacy for each of its targets. Promoting an inclusive approach

to development and incorporating a more granular and local approach. And as new

global challenges arise like information warfare surveillance populism

technology-based inequality and immigration, the SDGs and their

interpretation will need to be adaptable the question is is the UN flexible

enough to do that or does a changing world need new goals to be drafted more

frequently than they are now. here's a quick recap as 2015 was

approaching the UN needed a new agenda to overcome the challenges and

criticisms of the MDGs. The UN formed two teams the UN task team and the open

working group to develop a detailed agenda. The UN presented the SDGs in 2015

consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets to 193 countries. The SDGs addressed all

the shortcomings of the MDGs. Continued advocacy promoting an inclusive approach

to development and incorporating a local approach are some of the ways the SDG's

are expected to succeed. The question remains are the SDGs going to be

successful or will they be plagued by challenges that prevent them from making

any meaningful impact?

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