The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the global network of science, engineering and medical academies, published on Wednesday a “Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Merit-Based Academies”, a latest product of the IAP-Research project, “Improving Scientific Input to Global Policymaking”, which focuses on how the academies can support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The Guide was developed following a survey of IAP members, National Young Academies and Global Young Academy (GYA) members (Nov 2016-March 2017), in which they requested more clarity on how UN processes and structures support the SDGs and where academies can get involved. 

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, or “Agenda 2030”, is a blueprint for the future well-being of the planet. Its targets are aspirational, but the stakes are high, as our planet faces unprecedented economic, social and environmental stresses. 

Agenda 2030 is underpinned by 17 SDGs, broken into 169 specific targets, whose realization will require the best knowledge, innovation and application from all sectors. Scientists have an essential role to play, and whilst many are already engaged in various capacities, there is a need for many more to lend their expertise to this vital effort. 

Representing some of the best scientific minds in their countries, the merit-based academies are an important source of expertise, but according to a member survey conducted this year by IAP, awareness of the SDGs is limited. 

Publication of a guide to the SDGs will set out, in a simple, succinct way, why and how global science community can support the SDGs nationally, regionally and globally. 

The SDGs guide is available at http://www.interacademycouncil.net/24026/IAP_SDG_Guide.aspx.  

IAP is the global network of science, engineering and medical academies, working together to help address shared global challenges using the best available scientific evidence. Under its policy arm, IAP-Research, a three-year project on Improving Scientific Input to Global Policymaking is endeavoring to raise awareness of the SDGs amongst merit-based academies so that the best research can be applied to this critical global agenda.