May 2019: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) issued a working paper exploring the interlinkages between the 2030 Agenda and the Agenda for Humanity, a framework that outlines the changes needed to alleviate suffering, reduce risk and lessen vulnerability on a global scale. It identifies 104 SDG targets as having specific linkages to the humanitarian framework.
The working paper titled, ‘Humanitarian SDGs: Interlinking the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the Agenda for Humanity,’ explores the interlinkages between the 169 SDG targets and the five responsibilities, 24 transformations and 32 core commitments of the Agenda for Humanity. The paper constitutes “a first step” towards linking theory with practice in reframing the humanitarian-development divide. The paper calls for further research on steps to translate the humanitarian-development synergies into operational guidelines.
Authored by Peride Blind, the paper finds 189 linkages across 104 SDG targets between the Agenda for Humanity and the 2030 Agenda. It notes that SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) are particularly relevant to the intersection of humanitarian-development fields.
According to the paper, SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land) can also be very useful connectors between developmental and humanitarian perspectives. In addition, SDG 5 (gender equality) is “particularly important” since it relates to inclusive decision-making, capacity building and crisis management, which are three overlapping areas detected between the 2030 Agenda and the Agenda for Humanity.
From a humanitarian perspective, the paper notes that connections between the two Agendas occur the most in the areas of coherent financing, capacity building against crises, empowerment of women and inclusive decision-making. From a developmental perspective, the author finds that SDG 17, by far, presents the highest number of connections to the Agenda for Humanity, followed by SDG 11. The only SDG that presents no visible connections to the Agenda for Humanity is SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy).
The Agenda for Humanity was launched during the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey. Its five core responsibilities are: prevent and end conflict; respect the rules of war; leave no one behind; work differently to end need; and invest in humanity. The five-point plan also includes 24 transformations, comprising a vision and roadmap to better address humanitarian need, risk and vulnerability for those affected by or at risk from humanitarian crises. An online ‘Platform for Action, Commitments and Transformation’ houses the commitments and provides a hub for transparency, accountability and voluntary progress reporting. [Publication: Humanitarian SDGs: Interlinking the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the Agenda for Humanity]