January 12, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation Supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee re-introduced a House resolution supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rep. Lee’s H.Res.30 includes seventeen goals that will help end poverty, tackle inequality, and create more inclusive societies.  

The resolution, whose objectives were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, provides a clear pathway for countries to increase prosperity and peace for all. The resolution also provides a shared blueprint of progressive goals to reach peace and prosperity for people and the planet by 2030, building off the decades-long work by UN member countries, including the United States. 

“As we face a global pandemic and economic crisis, I believe it is more important than ever to support the United Nations and our shared ambition of making the world a truly just, safe, and equal place for all,” said Congresswoman Lee. “The Sustainable Development Goals offer a road map for how the United States can contribute to making the world a more peaceful, healthy, inclusive and sustainable place.” 

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are an urgent call for action to address key human challenges by 2030. The goals provide a roadmap, along with measurable benchmarks, for how every country can contribute to building better, safer, and more inclusive societies.  

The goals were the product the product of extensive negotiation among the nations of the world, including significant public input. Notably, more than 70,000 Americans took the opportunity to influence the process. 

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are as follows: 

  1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
  2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 
  3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 
  4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
  5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
  6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
  7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
  8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 
  9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 
  10. Reduce inequality within and among countries 
  11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
  12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
  13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
  14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
  15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 
  16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
  17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development 

This bill was also introduced in the 116th Congress and garnered 37 cosponsors.  Additional information on the bill is available here.