UNDP and ISO Launch Groundbreaking Guidelines to Accelerate SDG Contributions

Sergio Mujica, ISO Secretary-General, described the guidelines as a transformative tool for organizations globally.

In a major step towards accelerating progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have introduced the world’s first international guidelines designed to help businesses and organizations integrate and advance their SDG commitments.

The ISO/UNDP guidelines, unveiled at the ISO Annual Meeting 2024 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, offer a crucial, freely available resource for organizations of all sizes and sectors to embed the SDGs into their core operations and enhance their impact. With only six years remaining to achieve the SDGs, the need for urgent and substantial action has never been more pressing.

Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support at UNDP, emphasized the importance of collective action from all sectors, including governments, civil society, and the private sector. “These guidelines will unlock greater contributions to the SDG targets by aligning business purpose, strategy, and results with societal needs,” Neto said. He highlighted that the guidelines are essential for implementing national SDG plans and reinforcing accountability while enhancing business performance.

Sergio Mujica, ISO Secretary-General, described the guidelines as a transformative tool for organizations globally. “For the first time, we have a common approach for aligning business strategies with the SDGs and documenting progress towards them,” Mujica stated. The guidelines provide practical advice for integrating sustainable development into all aspects of organizational functions and decision-making processes.

The collaboration between ISO and UNDP, formalized in September 2023, aims to strengthen global sustainability efforts. This initiative represents a significant milestone, marking the first major outcome of their partnership. “The guidelines showcase different business models and new ways of working 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.

The guidelines are expected to evolve into the first International Standard for the SDGs, building on the foundations of UNDP’s SDG Impact Standards and relevant ISO standards. This development will provide a robust framework for organizations to anticipate and manage risks and opportunities related to sustainable development, ensuring a more impactful and efficient contribution to the SDGs.