The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have jointly introduced the first-ever international guidelines aimed at helping businesses and organisations expedite and enhance their contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With just six years remaining to achieve the SDGs, there is mounting pressure to accelerate progress. Launched at the ISO Annual Meeting 2024 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, the new ISO/UNDP guidelines serve as a free resource, enabling organisations of all sizes and types to embed SDG goals into their core operations and amplify their impact.
Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, emphasised the need for collective action across all sectors including government, private sector, civil societies and communities, to reach the 2030 targets. He hailed the guidelines as a vital tool for aligning business strategies with SDG priorities, enhancing accountability, and improving organisational performance.
“These guidelines will unlock greater contributions to the SDG targets by aligning business purpose, strategy, and results with societal needs. They provide essential tools for the implementation of national SDG plans, enabling contributions from both the private sector and governments. Furthermore, they reinforce accountability for organisational impacts on people and the planet while simultaneously enhancing business performance,” Neto said.
Sergio Mujica, ISO Secretary-General said, “These guidelines allow all types of organisations – in both the public and private sectors worldwide – large or small, new or well-established – to place SDGs at the core of their operations. For the first time, we have a common approach for businesses and organisations to align their strategies with the SDGs and document progress towards achieving them. The guidelines provide practical advice for fully integrating sustainable development into all functions and investment decision-making processes.”
The guidelines, a product of a strategic partnership between ISO and UNDP formalised in 2023, represent a significant milestone in their efforts to strengthen global sustainability.
“The guidelines showcase different business models and new ways of working, both internally and externally, that will accelerate innovation and allocate resources more effectively,” said Tina Helsted Vengsgaard, Director of Standardisation at Danish Standards, the Secretariat of the Technical Committee for the guidelines. “By implementing the recommendations, organisations can anticipate risks and opportunities related to sustainable development earlier and manage them better,” she added.
These guidelines are expected to evolve into the first international standard for SDG implementation, further building on existing SDG Impact Standards and relevant ISO benchmarks.