The Journey to the Sustainable Development Goals

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) explains the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It details the consultative processes used to create the SDGs, the definition of sustainable development, and the specific role of the South African government in negotiating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were conceived as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted at the September 2000 Millennium Summit with a deadline of September 2015. While the MDGs focused primarily on developing countries, the SDGs are designed as 'Global Goals' applicable to all countries, regardless of development status.
• The development of the SDGs involved a more inclusive and consultative process than the MDGs. A 30-member Open Working Group (OWG), established on 22 January 2013 under the United Nations General Assembly, worked with civil society to propose 17 goals and 169 targets by September 2014.
• Sustainable development is defined based on the 1987 Brundtland Commission report as the 'ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' This framework integrates economic, social, and environmental concerns, a structure further formalized at the 1992 Earth Summit.
• South Africa played a significant role in the SDG process, with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) leading negotiations and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) leading the delegation at Rio+20. In 2015, South Africa chaired the G77+China group, representing the interests of the global South and advocating for the preservation of the OWG's original proposals.
• The principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), originating from the 1992 Rio Declaration, asserts that while all states share a responsibility for the environment, developed countries bear a greater responsibility due to their historical contributions to environmental degradation and their available financial and technological resources.

APA

Kosciulek, D. (2015). The Journey to the Sustainable Development Goals. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/news/factsheet-the-journey-to-the-sustainable-development-goals/

Chicago

Kosciulek, Desirée. The Journey to the Sustainable Development Goals. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2015. https://saiia.org.za/news/factsheet-the-journey-to-the-sustainable-development-goals/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kosciulek |first1=Desirée |title=The Journey to the Sustainable Development Goals |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=16 September 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/news/factsheet-the-journey-to-the-sustainable-development-goals/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kosciulek2015journey, author = {Kosciulek, Desirée}, title = {{The Journey to the Sustainable Development Goals}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/news/factsheet-the-journey-to-the-sustainable-development-goals/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }