ISO and UNDP launch standard for managing contributions to the SDGs

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched ISO/UNDP 53001, the first international standard focused on managing organisational contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The standard provides a framework for organisations to identify priorities, set objectives, integrate the SDGs into existing processes and measure performance over time. It is intended to help organisations move from commitments towards measurable implementation and continual improvement.

ISO/UNDP 53001 is designed for a wide range of organisations, including businesses, governments, educational institutions and civil society organisations. It allows them to focus on the SDGs most relevant to their activities, context and stakeholders.

At the launch, ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica said the standard provides organisations with a common framework for turning the shared vision of the SDGs into action. UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director Marcos Neto said it can help integrate the SDGs into organisational operations, leadership and governance.

The standard comes as progress towards the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets remains uneven. ISO and UNDP present the framework as a way to support more consistent and measurable approaches to sustainable development across different organisations.