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Our Approach

The SDSN pioneers scientifically rigorous, scalable, interdisciplinary, and systemic approaches for an inclusive, sustainable, and just future.

Our Vision

We are living through a time of profound global disruption and change — and equally profound possibilities. The world faces mounting pressures: geopolitical competition, global financing and trade under threat, rapidly escalating climate risks, and a weakening commitment by some countries to UN-based multilateral cooperation. Yet, at the same time, the international movement for sustainable development remains very much alive.

At the core of the global progress are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs remain the world’s unified global framework for addressing poverty, inequality, climate change, and the long-term viability of our planet.

This is where the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) plays and will continue to play a key role—advancing education, analyzing and recommending public policies, building professional capacity, and helping to translate global commitments into practical action. Our focus is to identify where progress is possible, accelerate it, and help to design and build institutions capable of sustaining it.

Our Strategy

In partnership with UN agencies, multilateral financing institutions, governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector, the SDSN works across five core pillars.

  1. Mobilizing a Global Network: We mobilize the world’s largest network of knowledge-generating institutions and youth leaders to identify and advance integrated science-based global and local solutions for sustainable development.
  2. Education for Sustainable Development: We expand access to, and enhance the quality of, education and training that equips learners worldwide to drive sustainable development.
  3. SDG Monitoring & Accountability: We track global, national, and local SDG progress to inform government planning, guide long-term sustainable pathways, and ensure just climate transitions.
  4. Policy Shaping & Reform: We catalyze evidence-based policy and governance reforms across critical areas and sectors, including climate and energy, tropical forests, finance, food and land-use, health, peace, well-being, and cities.
  5. Global Convening & Influence: We convene and connect stakeholders, experts, and institutions worldwide, including UN bodies, governments, civil society, scientists, academia, and the private sector, to promote solutions for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.