The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals that lapsed in 2015.
The 17 goals with 169 targets cover a broad range of sustainable development issues.
These include ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting oceans and forests.
Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative, Roy Trivedy said for the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part including the governments, private sector, civil society and communities.
Trivedy challenged everyone to work effectively together to transform the growth that is happening in PNG into changes and improvements in people’s lives.
“It’s great to have high levels of growth but if that growth doesn’t filter down to everybody and improve their lives then it’s not sustainable.
“It is important that human development and transforming growth must have practical changes in people’s lives.
“That’s the challenge for all of us and the UN system to work with the government and stakeholders at the national level, provincial level, local level including families and communities, and private sector to make a difference,” said Trivedy.
He said Government alone cannot achieve SDGs and we all have to pull together as a country to work together.