The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an ambitious plan to change human society by addressing pressing global challenges such as hunger, gender inequality and climate change to name only a few.
But the final goal, SDG 17, is more fundamental than the others, because if we fail to achieve it, we won’t be able to achieve any of the others. SDG 17 calls for the revitalization of the global partnership for sustainable development, an explicit acknowledgement that our collective ability to achieve the goals hinges upon our willingness to forge partnerships.
“SDG Target 17 is in many ways the most important,” said GRI Deputy Chief Executive Teresa Fogelberg. “The challenges laid out in the other goals can never be achieved if business, governments and civil society organizations fail to work together. At GRI we have always sought to partner with organizations that share our desire to help create a more sustainable economy and world. It’s part of our DNA.”
The specific targets detailed in SDG 17 refer to three systemic issues that need to be overcome and GRI is working on multiple fronts to accelerate progress toward the global goals by focusing on collaboration, innovation and measurement.
“The prospect of achieving the SDGs renews my faith in humanity,” said Teresa Fogelberg. “Only through partnership and a can-do attitude are we able to do great things.”
Revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development is the reason we host the GRI Global Conference. It’s a chance to bring together GRI’s multi-stakeholder network to share best practices and to plan together the next steps needed to help business and government tackle many of the issues entailed in the SDGs.
Meet and interact with members of GRI’s global multi-stakeholder network at the 5th GRI Global Conference, 18 – 20 May, in Amsterdam. Give your input to the GSSB on the development of GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards. Also meet with GRI’s Stakeholder Council during a special breakfast session.
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