The United Nations’ SDGs are an all-encompassing global set of objectives designed to provide countries with a pathway to peace and prosperity. Composed of 17 goals, subdivided into 169 targets and 304 indicators, they address everything from ending hunger and protecting marine wildlife, to making cities sustainable and reducing gender inequalities.
Acting as the follow-up to the hugely successful Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the SDGs were first introduced in 2015 with the hope that they could be achieved by 2030. What makes the SDGs particularly ambitious, however, is that within this time frame they are supposed to apply equally to all countries, both developed and developing, regardless of individual context.
Afghanistan is one of the countries where such a commitment to ‘leave no-one behind’ is most rigorously put to the test. Aside from suffering from 40 years of conflict, Afghanistan’s geography, susceptibility to climate change and natural disasters, and predominantly rural population make it an especially difficult place to operate in. With 7 years left until the intended completion of the 2030 agenda, and following the tumultuous events of 2021, addressing this question is now more important than ever.
Find out more about how the SDGs inform the design of all of our projects and the challenges we overcome to work towards the goals:
In Afghanistan, decades of war, a predominantly rural population, and increasing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change make achieving SDG 1 both more urgent and strenuous than in other countries. Read about how we are striving forward amid the pandemic. Read more
We are taking a closer look at SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and examining the current state of hunger and food insecurity in Afghanistan, following a year of severe drought, uncertainty, economic collapse and conflict. Read more
SDG 5: Gender Equality is at the centre of what we do. Find out more about our experiences implementing it in one of the most challenging parts of the world to be a woman. Read more
SDG 6 aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Find out how we've been working towards SDG 6 and how the Coronavirus pandemic has given the goal a renewed sense of purpose. Read more
SDG 8 aims for sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, whilst ensuring full and productive employment for all. Find out how we've been working towards SDG 8 in Afghanistan amidst a devastating economic crisis. Read more
Despite contributing little to overall global emissions, Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change and is one of the least equipped to deal with the consequences. Find out how we're supporting rural Afghan communities against growing impacts of the climate crisis. Read more
Our projects strive to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, helping to protect, restore and promote sustainable ecosystems to ensure the communities we work with can flourish alongside the land. Read more
We're taking a closer look at Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, examining how our partnerships with the communities we work with, as well as other high-performing development organisations are central to our way of working. Read more