The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an ambitious and comprehensive framework that opens new perspectives for policymaking and international cooperation. Its integrated character highlights the linkages and complementarities that exist between different goals and targets. UNECE is supporting countries to address these key sustainable development challenges through an integrated, multisectoral approach leveraging UNECE norms, standards and conventions, and by building capacities and providing policy assistance. At the crossroads of all UNECE programmes and expertise, four high-impact “nexus” areas have been identified where multiple SDGs converge:
- Sustainable use of natural resources
- Sustainable and smart cities for all ages
- Sustainable mobility and smart connectivity
- Measuring and monitoring progress towards the SDGs.
This publication discusses the complex interactions and feedback loops between human and natural systems affecting the natural resource base involving seven hotspots and provides several recommendations.