Human  Development

Our Motivation:

According to UNOPS and the United Nations Environmental Programme, globally, there are large gaps in infrastructure service delivery and accessibility - around 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, 4.2 billion lack access to sanitation,1 940 million lack electricity, and 1 billion lack access to all-weather roads2. Economically disadvantaged people, women, children, the elderly, and differently-abled (collectively referred to as “most vulnerable” groups) are, to varying degrees, typically underserved by infrastructure. When infrastructure services exist, prevailing socio-economic inequalities and poor design can inhibit vulnerable groups of society from accessing them. The burden of infrastructure service gaps falls disproportionately on these groups.

Similarly, the burden of environmentally unsustainable infrastructure development also falls on the poorest and most vulnerable. These groups are more susceptible to the adverse environmental effects of unsustainable infrastructure development, such as ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, pollution and waste, and climate-related and other natural hazards. The nexus between social and environmental dimensions of infrastructure, and the recognition that cross-over benefits can be achieved in both, is, therefore, important for ensuring that the benefits from infrastructure development are inclusive of all segments of society, and particularly the most vulnerable groups.

Inclusive infrastructure is defined as infrastructure that accounts for the needs of everyone, ensures equal access to quality services, and enhances access to development opportunities for the broadest segments of society, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups.

2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development as it builds on the education and global citizenship focus in Gyeongju (2016) and the focus on people-centered multilateralism in New York (2018). This year we concentrate specifically on Sustainable Development Goal 11: “to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2030.” We do so by highlighting inclusivity, climate change, peace, economic opportunity for our youth, and the development of infrastructure and technology needed to support sustainable growth. For each of these, we affirm our beliefs, urge others to partner with us, and commit to action.

Without active recognition of the challenges facing sustainable societies, we will accomplish nothing.