Further information

  1. ILO portal on Decent Work
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U.N. Knowledge platform on sustainable development
  1. sustainabledevelopment.un.org

Post-2015 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals

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The 2030 Agenda embraces three dimensions of sustainability – economic, social and environmental. It has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that put people and planet at its centre, giving the international community a framework for tackling the many challenges confronting humanity, including those in the world of work.

The importance of decent work in achieving sustainable development is highlighted by Goal 8 which aims to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.

Goal #8: Decent work as a driver of development

Transforming economies for quality growth and quality jobs has been a main theme in the discussion on the development framework beyond 2015, setting the stage for the proposal of a sustainable development goal #8 to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. This global goal, strengthened by reference to aspects of decent work such as social protection and skills development under other proposed goals, is an indispensable response to the concerns of many governments and the demand of people in countries in all regions.

Latest news

  1. SDG Action Weekend

    SDG Action Weekend, High Impact Initiatives: Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions

  2. © UN Photo/Manuel Elias 2024

    SDG Summit 2023

    Leaders' Dialogue: Strengthening integrated policies and public institutions for achieving the SDGs

  3. UN General Assembly, SDG Action Weekend, High Impact Initiatives

    21 million euros pledged at UNGA for Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions

    18 September 2023

  4. Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC)

    International Equal Pay Day: High Level pledging event

  5. © UN/Cia Pak 2024

    18-26 September 2023

    78th session of the United Nations General Assembly

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Practical and measurable targets

The proposed sustainable development goal 8 is supported by a set of aspirational global targets that reflect the labour market challenges of countries at different levels of development. Several priorities of the decent work agenda are included as targets under Goal 8, while others are mentioned as targets under other proposed goals. All these are key trends and gaps in the labour market requiring attention within the new framework.