The importance of 17 UN SDGs in Science Diplomacy --- At first sight the 17 UN SDGs might appear inconsistent, not measurable, not binding. But it is also true the other way around. They are a reference for many countries when setting policies on sustainable development: sustainable agriculture, sustainable energy, sustainable transport. It is a sort of common reference system we use to project policy actions.

Recently, I attended a conference on plans on future sustainable agriculture by the Government of China. All the slides shown had a clear reference to at least one of the 17 SDGs, in certain cases to a group of the 17s. At first sight it could have been a presentation on sustainable agriculture made by EU or by any country from the western world.

The main takeaway from my side is that setting a list of SDGs has led many countries towards discussing internal sustainable policy plans that can now be compared, as they use the same reference grid. I would call it a success for Science Diplomacy

Source author: Vojko Bratina vbratina@katamail.com