The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action to address today’s most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges.
The Government of Canada is helping to advance the SDGs through dialogue, participation and collaboration. Progress is a shared responsibility. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort to build stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities that leave no one behind.
The goal: to meet people’s fundamental needs
Transcript - The goal: to meet people’s fundamental needs
Drinking clean water from the tap. Eating a healthy meal. Commuting to work or school by bike or public transport. Imagine a world where these are accessible to all. Meeting people’s fundamental needs is at the heart of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which Canada and all UN Member States committed to achieving by 2030. This is a global call to action to address the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. Canada’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda means positive change. Through the Government of Canada’s programs and policies, we are reducing poverty, building sustainable economic growth, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, advancing gender equality and taking action on climate change and clean energy. The Government of Canada is proud to be advancing the SDGs through dialogue, participation, and collaboration with all Canadians. Learn more about the SDGs and what actions we can all take now to help build stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities that leave no one behind.
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Sustainable Development Goals
The Government of Canada works with partners and stakeholders to advance the 2030 Agenda through concrete actions on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These actions include reducing poverty, building sustainable economic growth, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, advancing gender equality and taking action on climate change and clean energy.
Explore each of the goals and learn how Government of Canada programs and policies contribute to advancing the 2030 Agenda.
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SDG 1:No poverty -
SDG 2:Zero hunger -
SDG 3:Good health and well-being -
SDG 4:Quality education -
SDG 5:Gender equality -
SDG 6:Clean water and sanitation -
SDG 7:Affordable and clean energy -
SDG 8:Decent work and economic growth -
SDG 9:Industry, innovation and infrastructure -
SDG 10:Reduced inequalities -
SDG 11:Sustainable cities and communities -
SDG 12:Responsible consumption and production -
SDG 13:Climate action -
SDG 14:Life below water -
SDG 15:Life on land -
SDG 16:Peace, justice and strong institutions -
SDG 17:Partnerships for the goals
How we are taking action
Voluntary National Review 2023
Canada will present its second Voluntary National Review in July 2023 at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The review will highlight Canada’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since its first Voluntary National Review in 2018, providing an opportunity to showcase progress and challenges on the SDGs, and to continue to engage with stakeholders and partners on this important global effort.
SDG Advocates
Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is co-chair of the UN SDG Advocates, a group of 17 influential leaders raising global awareness of the SDGs. Joined by Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister is working to rally countries, governments, the private sector and others, to come together to accelerate Canada’s progress and to raise awareness and interest in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
- Prime Minister to co-chair the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group – April 2022
- Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future through the Sustainable Development Goals – June 2022
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley – December 2022
Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program
The SDG Funding Program supports the work of partners to advance progress on the SDGs. This grants and contributions program seeks to:
- increase public awareness of the SDGs
- support new partnerships to advance action
- identify and implement innovative initiatives to drive progress on the SDGs
Reports and strategies
Taking Action Together – Canada’s 2021 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (July 2022)
Canada’s first Annual Report on the SDGs, Taking Action Together – Canada’s 2021 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, highlights Government of Canada and whole-of-society efforts towards advancing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals.
Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda (July 2021)
The Federal Implementation Plan articulates how the Government of Canada will contribute to advancing the National Strategy at the federal level.
Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy (February 2021)
Moving Forward Together – Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy outlines a roadmap for how Canadians can work together to build a more inclusive society, protect the planet and increase quality of life for all.
What we’ve achieved together
Canada’s 2022 National Statement to the United Nations
Transcript - Canada’s 2022 National Statement to the United Nations
[Music]
Minister Gould: Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Honoured Guests. It is with great respect that I address you from the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation. Since we last gathered in July 2021, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to cost lives and livelihoods. This reality reinforces the need to address today’s most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. The 2030 Agenda is a roadmap enabling all of us to realize an inclusive and resilient recovery from the pandemic, and to build a more peaceful, prosperous, just, and sustainable world. As Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the federal lead for Canada’s 2030 Agenda, I recognize that ensuring the well-being of Canadians is essential for our country’s economic and social prosperity.
Skye Lacroix: Gender equality is no longer just “nice to have”. The pandemic has exposed deep social inequalities and we saw an increased burden on women and girls, especially black, indigenous and people of color, including in unpaid care and domestic violence. Building back better is only possible when we're all benefiting equally from the economy.
Minister Sajjan: Achieving the SDGs collaboratively is more important than ever before. The invasion of Ukraine is further driving the world into a food security crisis, with millions heading towards famine, as well as fuel shortages and increased cost of living, all of which will undoubtedly increase the number of people being pushed into poverty. We will continue to take action driven by an intersectional, gender-responsive, whole-of-society, and human rights-based approach to ensure our efforts are effective, impactful, and leave no one behind. Our actions today will shape our future. That is why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pleased to be co-chairing the UN Secretary General’s SDG Advocates Group alongside Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. Canada will work tirelessly to raise awareness and momentum to accelerate SDG progress through the Decade of Action.
Sarah Mazhero: Across Canada youth are taking action! As the climate crisis threatens our very existence, let us work together to clean up our oceans and protect and conserve the lands that give us all life. DM Donna Johnson: Quality education is a priority for Canada. Ministries of education across Canada, individually and collectively, through the Council of Ministers of Education Canada, are working to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for all so that our children and students have the skills to succeed and thrive. Let us come together to make sure every child and student, no matter where their location, has an opportunity to learn in a safe environment and has the tools to build a better future.
Mayor Bowman: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide all of us with a framework to communicate, measure and improve the health of our communities. The city of Winnipeg is proud to have embedded these goals into our central planning document (Our Winnipeg), and have committed to the voluntary local reviews to measure our progress. To realize the vision of the 2030 agenda, we must all commit to partnering in achieving the goals of sustainability, peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Now and into the future.
Minister Gould: Canada will work tirelessly to raise awareness and momentum to accelerate progress through the Decade of Action. I’m so pleased to say that this summer marks the release of our first-ever Annual Report on the SDGs. We are committed to updating Canadians on our whole-of-society efforts toward advancing our 2030 National Strategy. We will continue to take action driven by an intersectional, gender-responsive, whole-of-society approach to ensure our efforts are effective, impactful, and leave no one behind. Through collaboration and a strong plan, we are all pulling together to shape a better, more equal and more sustainable future for everyone.
[Text on screen: Canada.ca/2030-agenda]
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Together|Ensemble
Transcript - Together|Ensemble
Minister Gould: OK, great. So, hello everyone. I’m really excited to be here with Chúk and Nidhu for what I think is going to be a really engaging conversation about the SDGs. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. Shifting from an international to a domestic focus, I have had the privilege of seeing both sides of the work being done. Today, my department leads on four of the Goals: No Poverty, Quality Education, Decent Work, and Reduced Inequalities. As you know, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are all interconnected. They are each individually an important part of the work ahead. But together, they serve an even greater purpose: building a healthier, more prosperous and inclusive world. Every individual, organization, group and business is capable of advancing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Incorporating youth voices around the decision-making table isn’t just a best practice, it’s a necessity.
Nidhu: One thing I do want to put out there is: get involved. In any capacity you can. Try to take small steps. Try to look at what’s happening in your direct communities, whether it’s school, work, volunteering, just try and take space.
Chúk: I agree with what Nidhu just said, and would like to add to it. As a young person, I want you to be true to who you are.
Minister Gould: I’ll just say really quickly: thank you both for sharing your stories. It’s very inspiring. And I think the message is clear; is that everyone can make a difference! And you need to take up that space. Whether it’s small, you know, and whether it’s at the very local level or whether it’s at the provincial, territorial, federal or even international level, you never know where it is going to take you. And so I think, you know, if you’re passionate about making a difference, take that step, and do it. We can’t measure what we are not tracking. And this is why we have articulated and reaffirmed countless times the Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing the 2030 Agenda at the federal level and to reporting back annually to Canadians on progress. Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
“When we look at the world through the lens of the SDGs, we really should feel inspired, empowered and hopeful. I am amazed by the outstanding initiatives and individuals who are driving positive action.”
“I plan to pursue future volunteering opportunities that will create tangible results. And I hope to inspire others to follow the same path.”
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Learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and what actions we can all take now to help build a better tomorrow.
Networking series
The SDG Action Networking Series brings together SDG practitioners, policy makers, and experts from across Canada to discuss on building a more sustainable, just, inclusive, and resilient world.
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