Investing in a Sustainable Future: Stories of Impact from Around the Globe
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The path to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 requires unprecedented collaboration and investment across borders. In a recent call for "SDG Good Practices," the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs received over 700 submissions showcasing impactful initiatives supporting the Global Goals. These examples provide insights and inspiration for multiplying impact through partnerships.
Catalysing Green Economy Transitions
One compelling partnership is the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), launched in 2013 following the Rio+20 Summit. This alliance brings together five UN agencies (UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO and UNITAR) to provide integrated support for building inclusive green economy transitions worldwide.
By putting sustainability at the heart of economic policymaking, PAGE assists countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond to advance sustainable development and meet SDG targets related to decent work, economic growth, industry and innovation, reduced inequalities, climate action and more.
Some key results after 8 years include:
PAGE's demand-driven, country-owned approach and coordination with UN Resident Coordinators ensures relevance and lasting impact. The initiative has recently entered its second phase (2021-2030) with aims to scale up its reach from 20 to 30 partner countries and deepen engagement. PAGE also continues to serve as a model for collective action on the SDGs by convening diverse stakeholders.
Unlocking Billions in Sustainable Investment
Like PAGE, the EU External Investment Plan (EIP) demonstrates the power of partnerships to drive progress, in this case attracting substantial private finance along with EU funding. The EIP and its key instrument, the European Fund for Sustainable Development, focus especially on creating jobs, supporting SMEs, and advancing healthcare, energy access, infrastructure and more within EU neighbouring regions and Africa.
Despite facing a context of major challenges like COVID-19, the EIP has brought in around 50 billion EUR in total investment since 2017, with a goal of generating 17.5 billion EUR in financing through its 1.55 billion EUR in guarantees. Other expected results by 2025 include:
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The EIP has established close partnerships with financial institutions, governments, businesses and civil society groups in over 16 countries to drive this progress. For the 2021-2027 budget period, the EU aims to build on this model to continue unlocking investment where it is most needed.
Spotlighting Healthcare Solutions
In addition to multi-country initiatives like PAGE and the EIP, the collection of SDG Good Practices contains inspiring examples addressing specific sustainable development challenges. In the health sector, Merck's impact investing strategy directs funding toward organisations developing solutions from vaccines delivery to health data tools that align with Merck's capabilities and global development priorities.
For instance, Merck has deployed $39 million (USD) so far into seven funds focused on infectious disease treatments, financial inclusion, hospital infrastructure, vaccine access and more. In 2019 alone, these investments reached over 16 million patients worldwide. The approach harnesses potential financial returns to re-invest in global health impact, creating a sustainable model that serves societal needs while being commercially viable.
Meanwhile, Doctors Worldwide's Postgraduate Fellowship in Migrant and Refugee Health works to strengthen healthcare capacity where it is needed most. Targeting frontline workers serving displaced populations in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps, the program has trained over 100 doctors through intensive educational modules, mentorship and assessments. This has translated into improved services for nearly one million patients so far, demonstrating a localisation approach that builds lasting resilience.
The Way Forward
As these examples demonstrate clearly, global cooperation and integrated initiatives across UN agencies, governments, and public & private partners can drive progress on the SDGs. But with less than six years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda, much greater investment and acceleration are urgently needed. These good practices provide reasons for hope and formulas that work - it is now up to all stakeholders to have the boldness and ambition to bring these solutions to scale.
For more information about the SDG Good Practices, please click here.?