In 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal call to action to “end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere” by the year 2030.

With the 17 SDGs being interconnected with action in one area affecting outcomes in another, different stakeholders from around the world must work together in order to solve the most pressing challenges that our world faces today.

As of 2022, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that the annual UN SDG financing gap has risen from US$2.5 trillion (pre-COVID) to US$3.7 trillion. The vision of a sustainable future for us and generations to come is anchored in our collective abilities to address this shortfall. Bridging this gap will require all forms of capital and practitioners, whether public, private, or philanthropic, to come together and work towards generating positive impact for people and planet.

This is the time for collective action among governments, businesses, investors, research institutions, philanthropic organisations, NGOs, and the community.