Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation are all part of Sustainable Development Goal 9; how will this be achieved?

The development of today’s societies depends, to a large extent, on factors as decisive as the quality of their infrastructure, which is critical for the mobility of goods and people; the importance and strength of their industry, which is vital for the development of the economy and employment; and a firm commitment to innovation, which is essential for adapting to new production and economic development models. This mantra is something that all governments are aware of, but sometimes it is left in the background for very diverse reasons. For this reason, the United Nations, in its 2030 Agenda roadmap, established Sustainable Development Goal 9 in 2016 to promote a series of commitments in these areas, which play a key role in introducing and promoting new technologies, facilitating international trade and enabling the efficient use of resources. Furthermore, all of this ultimately impacts citizens’ quality of life.

This boost is particularly important in developing countries, especially considering data such as the fact that, globally, investment in R&D, taking as a reference the percentage of GDP invested by each country, increased from 1.5% to 1.7% between 2000 and 2015; that of developing regions is less than 1% of their GDP. In these countries, furthermore, infrastructure limitations (such as roads, information and communications technologies, sanitation, electricity, and water) represent a loss of up to 40% in the productivity of their companies, a limiting factor in their competitiveness. Despite the fact that the internet is very present in our lives today, 16% of the world’s population still does not have access to mobile broadband networks; something that occurs especially in these developing countries. Something that Sustainable Development Goal 9 aims to combat.

On the other hand, these measures are necessary in countries whose economy and society are highly dependent on their agricultural production. According to United Nations figures, in these developing countries, only 30% of agricultural production is subject to industrial processes. This figure, compared to the 98% of processing that occurs in developed countries, demonstrates the economic opportunities that agricultural industrialization, with its corresponding generation of sustainable employment and increased productivity, can represent for these regions. Furthermore, we must bear in mind that this industrialization of the productive fabric has a multiplier effect on labor, creating 2.2 million jobs in related sectors. All of this also represents a unique opportunity for emerging economies to grow under a decarbonized, circular, and sustainable economic model; economies where digitalization and renewable energy are the foundations of society.

What are the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 9?

Although we know the grand challenges of Sustainable Development Goal 9, let’s now delve into the steps to achieve them. Let’s see them!

9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, resilient and infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly increase industry’s contribution to employment and gross domestic product, in accordance with national circumstances, and double that contribution in the least developed countries

9.3 Increase access to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets for small-scale industries and other enterprises, particularly in developing countries

9.4 By 2030, modernize infrastructure and convert industries for sustainability by using resources more efficiently and promoting the adoption of clean and environmentally sound industrial processes and technologies, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

9.5 Enhance scientific research and enhance the technological capacity of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular in developing countries, by, among other things, fostering innovation and substantially increasing, by 2030, the number of people working in research and development per million population and public and private sector expenditures on research and development

9.6 Facilitate the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States

9.7 Support the development of domestic technologies, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring an enabling policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities

9.8 Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable internet access in least developed countries by 2020

Still unclear about the Sustainable Development Goal? Don’t worry, in this video you’ll find a summary of what this SDG entails.

http://https://youtu.be/2xparLO41zQ