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We live in a world increasingly affected by climate change, and if we fail to take decisive measures, the temperature rise will continue and soon exceed the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5°C and even 2°C.
It becomes ever less useful to talk about development plans and climate policies in a vacuum. The objectives of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals must be the hinge of all climate change policies and plans.
Linking the two agendas of climate action and sustainable development is imperative.
Paris Agreement 2030 Agenda

Climate action is the 21st century’s
greatest opportunity to drive forward
all the Sustainable Development Goals.
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Latest Events
Advancing Climate and SDG Synergies at COP30
At COP30, UN DESA, in collaboration with UNFCCC, convened two side events to advance the implementation of climate and SDG synergies. The official UN-system side event, “From Ambition to Action: Unlocking Climate–SDG synergies”, brought together policymakers, practitioners and members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies to discuss the findings of the 2025 Global Report and the outcomes of the Sixth Global Conference hosted by the Government of Denmark.
Discussions focused on translating integrated approaches into measurable results, particularly in the context of implementing the next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) and advancing existing commitments. A second event, “Operationalizing Climate–SDG synergies: From Policy Alignment to Implementation,” held at the SDG Pavilion, examined practical pathways for embedding cross-sectoral strategies within national development plans and the SDGs. The session highlighted quantified benefits and sectoral entry points identified in the 2025 Global Report, demonstrating how synergistic approaches can deliver social, economic and environmental co-benefits while raising ambition and scaling investment.
Across both events, speakers underscored the importance of integrated planning to inform NDC 3.0 implementation, preparations for the second Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, and discussions on the post-2030 development agenda.

Launch of the Third Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies Showcases Scale of Opportunity for Integrated Action
The Third Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, Harnessing Climate and SDG Synergy: Quantifying the Benefits, was launched on 24 September by the co-conveners at the SDG Media Zone at United Nations Headquarters, on the margins of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week and on the same day as a major UN Climate Summit.
The report shows that synergistic approaches can improve resource efficiency, reduce trade-offs, and deliver multiple social, economic and environmental co-benefits, potentially lowering government spending needs by up to 37 per cent. These findings come at a critical time, considering that progress towards achieving the climate targets under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is far off track, with the finance gap for SDG action exceeding USD 4 trillion annually and for climate action over USD 6.3 trillion per year.
The following day, a plenary session at the SDG7 Action Forum further explored the report’s findings and examined practical pathways for advancing its recommendations. Discussions focused on aligning finance and policy frameworks, strengthening integrated planning, and supporting just transitions, highlighting how climate–SDG synergies can help turn fragmentation into opportunities for delivering multiple development and climate benefits.

Launch of Three Thematic Reports at HLPF 2025 Highlights Nature, Insurance, and Urban Health as Keys to Accelerated Action
On 22 July 2025, three thematic reports prepared by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies were launched at a Special Event held during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event brought together high-level representatives from Member States, the United Nations system and multi-stakeholder partners to advance discussions on strengthening climate and SDG synergies for accelerated momentum towards 2030.
The reports examine opportunities to strengthen climate–SDG synergies through nature-based solutions, climate finance and insurance, and resilient urban health systems. Launched at a time when the world remains off track to achieve both the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda, the thematic reports, part of the Synergy Solutions 2025 series, present analytical insights and practical entry points for advancing integrated action.
The event featured remarks by UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell (via video message), the Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment of Ireland, and senior representatives from synergy conference host countries Japan and Denmark, alongside representatives from Germany, the United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Mexico, as well as youth and multi-stakeholder experts.
More events here>>
Latest News

10-21 November 2025 | Belém, Brazil
30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)
The 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil, brought together governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector to advance implementation of the Paris Agreement and strengthen climate ambition. The COP30 outcome, known as the ‘Global Mutirão’, underlines the “urgent need to address, in a comprehensive and synergistic manner, the interlinked global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land and ocean degradation in the broader context of achieving sustainable development”.
Through the SDG Pavilion, UN DESA provided a dedicated platform to showcase actionable solutions capable of addressing both the climate crisis and sustainable development challenges. Over 10 days, the Pavilion hosted 55 events with more than 120 organizing partners, including UN-led and youth-led sessions, fostering dialogue, collaboration and knowledge-sharing on accelerating climate–SDG synergies and advancing integrated implementation pathways.

24-25 September 2025 | UN Headquarters, New York
UN Climate Summit 2025 and Launch of the Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies
During the High-Level Week of the eightieth session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Climate Summit 2025 convened world leaders as a platform to announce climate commitments, raise ambition, and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement. Close to 100 countries, including nearly 40 Heads of State and Government, announced, committed to finalizing, or reaffirmed their commitment to implementing updated climate targets in advance of COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
On the same day, UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat launched the 2025 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, Harnessing Climate and SDG Synergies: Quantifying the Benefits, at the SDG Media Zone. Developed by the co-convened Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies, the report finds that a synergistic approach to climate and sustainable development action could unlock efficiencies at scale and reduce government spending needed to address these interconnected crises by around 40 per cent. The findings highlight how integrated approaches, including through national planning instruments such as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), can help maximize social, environmental and economic co-benefits.

27–28 May 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark
Sixth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies
The Sixth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies convened policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 27–28 May 2025 to advance practical pathways for strengthening climate–SDG synergies and accelerating integrated implementation. Hosted by the Government of Denmark at UN City and co-convened by UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, the conference gathered over 110 speakers and nearly 400 in-person participants from more than 50 countries, including ministers and high-level representatives from Member States, senior UN officials, and stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, and youth, with more than 2,500 additional participants joining via livestream.
Discussions underscored the urgent need to better align climate and development finance, highlighting the central role of Ministries of Finance and private investment in advancing climate–SDG synergies. Participants also emphasized the importance of leveraging the next generation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to advance inclusive, low-carbon development. A strong focus was placed on integrated, cross-sectoral approaches across energy, water, food, and biodiversity systems, alongside whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategies that prioritize vulnerable populations and local needs.
More news here>>
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About
The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world’s plan of action to achieving sustainability and resilience for people and planet, are closely linked with climate. Maximizing on the interlinkages between the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement by leveraging Climate and SDG Synergies, has the potential of achieving both agendas and guaranteeing a livable future for next generations by leaving no one behind.
UN DESA is working to support the implementation of these interlinked SDG and climate frameworks through the Climate Action and SDGs Synergies Platform, created with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Platform acts as a multi-stakeholder partnership catalyst with the aim at supporting the coherence, alignment, and monitoring of the interlinkages between climate action and the SDGs. The three focus areas of the Platform are:
Advocacy: mainstream climate and SDGs synergies in key UN intergovernmental processes and outcomes.
Analyses: develop a comprehensive and systemic global assessment on climate and SDGs synergies.
Capacity-building: enhance knowledge sharing at all levels through global conferences, regional seminars, and workshops.
Co-conveners:

Milestones
April 2019
The First Global Climate and SDGs Synergy Conference, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, emphasized that taking climate and SDG development action simultaneously and in an integrated way is not a theoretical concept, but a practical guideline for all forms of decision making. The success and impact of the conference led to a decision to make this an annual event.
December 2020
Addressing the urgency for action to pursue synergistic approaches in order to recover better and faster from COVID-19, UN DESA, UNFCCC and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) co-convened a series of three webinars and launched an e-learning course on the theme of ‘Harnessing Climate and SDGs Synergies’. These events pointed to a variety of options for synergistic policy interventions in different sectors using an integrated nexus approach.
July 2022
Building on the outcomes of the first Climate and SDGs Synergy Conference in 2019 and the virtual consultations in 2020/2021, the Third Global Conference on Synergies, held in Tokyo, Japan, provided a unique opportunity to take stock of practical measures that are being implemented to advance climate and SDG synergies in regional, national and subnational efforts, including through COVID recovery plans and the NDCs.
July 2023
The Fourth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergy was convened on 16 July 2023 as a special event of the 2023 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and prior to the SDG Summit and the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 28), which will conduct a Global Stocktake of progress. The Fourth Global Conference sought to feed into these processes with an assessment of progress made against recommendations from the previous conferences, including the need for principles of just transition at the center of each integrated planning.
September 2024
The Fifth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) on 5-6 September in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the two-week series of Group of 20 (G20)-related events convened by Brazil as the 2024 Chair of the G20 in the lead-up to the G20 Summit in November. Building on the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, the Conference highlighted empirical evidence and case studies on climate action and SDG co-benefits, addressed climate finance, risk mitigation, and adaptation strategies, and emphasized public participation.
Context
Commitments on combatting climate change have increased in an encouraging way in recent months across the world, but at the global level they still fall way short of what is needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Policy makers need to urgently address the interrelated major challenges of poverty, inequality, climate change, and the recovery from COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously. Today, synergistic and integrated policy making, and action is more important than ever before.
Development policies and projects need to be well coordinated across ministerial portfolios, be based on genuine public participation, and deliver co-benefits beyond their main objectives. Resources need to be used in targeted and effective manner and advance a fair transition from a “grey” economy to a “green” economy, leaving no one behind.
Policy makers seeking to advance climate action will need to identify the most economically feasible and socially acceptable solutions that also generate SDG co-benefits. Similarly, stakeholders seeking to advance economic and social progress towards one or the other SDG will need to anticipate the impacts of such action on future climate emissions. Pursuing climate and SDG synergies is not only a guideline for national or local policy makers, but also for industrialists, investors, service providers, and private consumers.
Additional resources:

Expert Group
In May 2023, UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat co-convened an international group of 14 experts from diverse backgrounds. Their goal was to provide analytical research and practical recommendations, building the evidence base for how actions addressing both the climate emergency and sustainable development challenges can work synergistically as a win-win solution, maximizing impact. In 2024, three experts joined the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, contributing their valuable expertise to further enhance this year's publications.
The members of the expert group are shown below.
Expert Group Publications
The first report, Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis: Tackling Climate and SDG Action Together, was launched in September 2023 during the UN SDG Summit, coinciding with the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Climate Action Summit convened by the UN Secretary-General in support of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
This report was initiated based on recommendations from the Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, held in Tokyo in 2022.
Following the initial report, the Expert Group published Four Thematic Reports which were launched at the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body (SB60) in Bonn in June 2024. These reports, developed through collaboration among various organizations, focus on key areas: Knowledge and Data, Policy Framework, Finance, and Cities.
These thematic reports laid the groundwork for the second report, Synergy Solutions for Climate and SDG Action: Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want, released in July 2024 at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. (HLPF). The Synthesis Report aims to inform intergovernmental processes and provide concrete policy recommendations.
Co-Leads:

Luis Gomez Echeverri Bio
Emeritus Research Scholar International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Contributing Experts:

Kaveh Guilanpour Bio
Vice President for International Strategies, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

Meagan Fallone Bio
Founder, Step Up AdvisErs, Ltd. & Executive Adviser Climate Justice, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, CARE

Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi Bio
Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC)
In-person meetings of the Expert Group
2024
The Expert Group met in person for the first time since its inception in Tokyo on March 4 - 6, hosted by Japan's Ministry of the Environment and supported by the Institute of Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). The meeting served to advance the preparations of the Second Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy (2024).

2025
The Expert Group met again on 26 May 2025 in Copenhagen ahead of the Sixth Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies (27-28 May) hosted by the Government of Denmark. This meeting was an important opportunity to discuss progress towards the next Global Report and review the three thematic reports comprising the Synergy Solutions 2025 series.

The Expert Group met again on 23 July in New York. With the launch of the three Thematic Reports the previous day (22 July) at a Special Event during the 2025 HLPF, the focus was now on finalizing the 2025 Global Report. The third edition in the series, this report undertook the significant task of quantifying, at the global level, the benefits of synergistic action on climate and sustainable development.


Global Reports
2025 Global Report
On 24-25 September, the Third Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies (2025), prepared by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies, will be launched in the margins of the UNGA High-Level Week. Highlighting the scale of opportunity that synergistic action can unlock, the report shows how aligning efforts can maximize limited resources, minimize trade-offs, and generate multiple social, economic, and environmental co-benefits.
Insights from three thematic reports in the Synergy Solutions 2025 series, focusing on disaster and climate insurance, nature, and health and cities, launched during the 2025 HLPF, further strengthen the evidence base and point to practical entry points for synergistic action. This timely evidence will be critical as we approach a series of milestones, including the submission of the next generation of national climate plans (NDC 3.0) and COP30 later this year, which will set the course for the years ahead
THE REPORT IS OUT NOW!

2024 Global Report
The 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy titled "Synergy Solutions for Climate and SDG Action: Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want" is the outcome of the independent work of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. It builds on the work of the 2023 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy. Close to 100 experts have been consulted on their insights, feedback, and suggestions with the goal of refining and enhancing the intended outcomes of the 2024 Global Report.
The 2024 Global Report also benefits from insights from this year’s thematic series Seeking Synergy Solutions: The Four Thematic Reports. The four thematic reports build on extensive consultations, focusing on one of the four themes identified as critical entry points for synergistic action.
Read the full report here>> | Read the web release here>> | Download the recommendations here >>
2023 Global Report
In May 2023 UNDESA and UNFCCC Secretariat co-convened the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. The Group consists of 14 renowned experts from diverse thematic and geographic backgrounds who were given the task of developing the First Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies.
This report demonstrates that aggressively acting on climate and development in an integrated and synergistic way is an important opportunity to achieve the course correction the UN Secretary- General has called for. It highlights some of the challenges but also the opportunities if the international community is seriously committed to enhancing these synergies and thereby addressing these challenges.
The report is designed to provide a broad overview of available data and evidence, insights from experts on the frontlines, and recommendations for enhancing synergistic action across the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. This first edition will form the basis for future iterations, which will entail a wider scope of sectors, and thematic areas and deep dives on specific issues pertaining to strengthening and operationalizing synergic climate and SDG actions at all levels.
Read the full report here >> | Download key messages here >> | Download the map of case studies here >>

Thematic Reports
Thematic Reports 2025

Three reports were launched on 22 July by experts convened by the UN, showing how greater impact could be achieved by breaking down silos and tackling the climate change and sustainable development crises together. The reports focused on three potential solutions: bolstering insurance coverage for climate-related disasters, which often set back development progress; pursuing nature-based solutions that could deliver climate and biodiversity benefits while supporting inclusive development; and adopting urban climate policies that also improved health by promoting cleaner air, active mobility, and smart planning.
As part of a series entitled Synergy Solutions 2025, the thematic reports, spearheaded by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, were launched at a special event at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations in New York. The Expert Group was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), which co-hosted the report launch event.
The recommendations came at a crucial time, as both climate targets under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda were far off track. In launching the latest SDG Progress Report on 14 July, the UN Secretary-General declared that "we are in a global development emergency" and that the SDGs were still within reach, but only if we acted with urgency. The SDG Report indicated that only 35% of targets were either on track or showing moderate progress, while 18% had regressed.
Read the nature report here Recommendations here
Read the finance report here Recommendations here
Read the health in cities report here Recommendations here
Thematic Reports 2024

Building on the success of the 2023 Global Report on Synergy between Climate and the SDGs, which strengthened the evidence base on the co-benefits of synergistic action, the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy’s thematic reports call for ways to overcome the fragmentation of siloed institutional structures and break down silos. Under the umbrella title “Seeking Synergy Solutions”, 2024 thematic reports were launched on 11 June 2024 at the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body (SB60) in Bonn.
These reports resulted from the Expert Group’s in-person meeting, held in Tokyo from 4-6 March 2024, co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC. The group advocated for integrated approaches to accelerate action on the SDGs and climate through four key entry points: Knowledge and Data, Policy Frameworks, Finance, and Cities.
Among other upcoming milestones, these reports emphasized the upcoming update of national climate action plans (NDCs) in 2025 as a prime opportunity for countries to align their climate actions with the SDGs. Developed through the co-creation of various organizations and individuals, these thematic reports lay the groundwork for the new 2024 Global Report on Synergy between Climate and the SDGs, released in July at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
Read the Knowledge and Data report here | Read the Policy report here.
Read the Finance report here. | Read the Cities report here.
Thematic Reports 2025

Three reports were launched on 22 July by experts convened by the UN, showing how greater impact could be achieved by breaking down silos and tackling the climate change and sustainable development crises together. The reports focused on three potential solutions: bolstering insurance coverage for climate-related disasters, which often set back development progress; pursuing nature-based solutions that could deliver climate and biodiversity benefits while supporting inclusive development; and adopting urban climate policies that also improved health by promoting cleaner air, active mobility, and smart planning.
As part of a series entitled Synergy Solutions 2025, the thematic reports, spearheaded by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, were launched at a special event at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations in New York. The Expert Group was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), which co-hosted the report launch event.
The recommendations came at a crucial time, as both climate targets under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda were far off track. In launching the latest SDG Progress Report on 14 July, the UN Secretary-General declared that "we are in a global development emergency" and that the SDGs were still within reach, but only if we acted with urgency. The SDG Report indicated that only 35% of targets were either on track or showing moderate progress, while 18% had regressed.
Read the nature report here Recommendations here
Read the finance report here Recommendations here
Read the health in cities report here Recommendations here
Thematic Reports 2024

Building on the success of the 2023 Global Report on Synergy between Climate and the SDGs, which strengthened the evidence base on the co-benefits of synergistic action, the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy’s thematic reports call for ways to overcome the fragmentation of siloed institutional structures and break down silos. Under the umbrella title “Seeking Synergy Solutions”, 2024 thematic reports were launched on 11 June 2024 at the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body (SB60) in Bonn.
These reports resulted from the Expert Group’s in-person meeting, held in Tokyo from 4-6 March 2024, co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC. The group advocated for integrated approaches to accelerate action on the SDGs and climate through four key entry points: Knowledge and Data, Policy Frameworks, Finance, and Cities.
Among other upcoming milestones, these reports emphasized the upcoming update of national climate action plans (NDCs) in 2025 as a prime opportunity for countries to align their climate actions with the SDGs. Developed through the co-creation of various organizations and individuals, these thematic reports lay the groundwork for the new 2024 Global Report on Synergy between Climate and the SDGs, released in July at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
Read the Knowledge and Data report here | Read the Policy report here.
Read the Finance report here. | Read the Cities report here.
Synergy Voices

ELISABETH GILMORE: Centering Climate Adaptation on the Voices and Choices of Mobile Communities
Learn why co-producing research with migrants and local populations is key to just, effective climate adaptation—and how mobility, when supported, can unlock progress across the SDGs.

OLE THONKE: Unlocking Renewable Energy’s Full Potential for Climate and SDG Breakthroughs
Discover why investing in energy storage is the key to unleashing clean power at scale—and how whole-of-government planning can drive lasting impact across climate and development goals.

MERCEDES BUSTAMANTE: Leveraging Nature and Food Systems for Climate and SDG Impact
Discover how ecosystem conservation, sustainable agrifood systems, and aligned finance can drive powerful climate action—while supporting biodiversity, equity, and resilient development.

MÅNS NILSSON: Innovative Bioeconomy Strategies Driving Climate Action & Sustainable Development
Explore how forward-thinking bioeconomy strategies can revolutionize industries, strengthen sustainability efforts, and accelerate progress toward global climate and development goals.
Events

Operationalizing Climate-SDG Synergies: From Policy Alignment to Implementation
This event examined practical pathways for embedding cross-sectoral strategies within national development plans and the SDGs. Building on the latest findings of the 2025 Global Report, speakers emphasized that integrated approaches could deliver significant social, economic, and environmental co-benefits while strengthening policy coherence and investment strategies. Participants also discussed how advancing climate-SDG synergies can help raise ambition and inform national and global strategies ahead of the second Global Stocktake and emerging conversations on the future development agenda beyond 2030.

From Ambition to Action: Unlocking Climate-SDG Synergies
UN DESA, in collaboration with the UNFCCC, hosted the official UN-system COP30 side event “From Ambition to Action: Unlocking Climate-SDG Synergies.” The session brought together policymakers, practitioners, and members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies, to highlight key findings from the 2025 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies and outcomes from the Sixth Global Conference, hosted by the Government of Denmark. Discussions focused on how integrated approaches can translate climate and development commitments into measurable results, particularly in the implementation of NDC 3.0 and other existing frameworks. Speakers underscored that leveraging the interconnections between climate action and sustainable development can accelerate progress across multiple goals while informing discussions on the post-2030 development agenda and the second Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement.

SDG7 Action Forum Event: Promoting Synergies for Accelerated Progress Towards SDGs and the Paris Agreement
A plenary session at the "EnergyNow" SDG7 Action Forum on 25 September will build on the official launch of the Third Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies by examining the findings in greater depth and considering practical ways to advance the recommendations. Discussions will focus on practical entry points where climate and sustainable development reinforce each other, for example in energy, gender equality and health, generating wide-ranging co-benefits. The session will bring together leaders from government, international organizations, business, civil society, and youth to discuss how these approaches can be scaled and translated into real-world action.

Expert Reports Look at Synergies on Health in Cities, Nature-based Solutions, Insurance Gaps
On 17 June 2025, DESA/DSDG, together with UNFCCC and CBD, organized the side event Forging Synergies for People and Planet: Transformative Actions for a Just and Sustainable Future at UNFCCC SB62 in Bonn, Germany. The event offered a preview of three forthcoming Thematic Reports—on nature, health and cities, and finance—prepared by members of the UNDESA/UNFCCC co-convened Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies, to be launched on 22 July 2025 at a special event during the 2025 HLPF. These Thematic Reports will contribute to the 2025 Global Report on Climate and SDGs Synergies that will be published in September 2025. The event also highlighted key insights from the CBD-mandated Technical Information Exchange on policy coherence across the Rio Conventions, held on 15 June 2025. Through evidence-based dialogue, thematic deep dives, and insightful recommendations, the event promoted synergistic, systems-level solutions to advance inclusive, resilient, and cost-effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Rio Conventions.

27-28 May 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark
Sixth Global Climate and SDG Synergies Conference
The sixth edition of the Global Climate and SDG Synergy Conference, co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC and hosted by the Government of Denmark, will take place on 27-28 May 2025 at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference will convene multi-stakeholder leaders and experts to explore strategies and actionable pathways for accelerating the synergistic implementation of climate action and sustainable development.
Informed by the work of the Expert Group and building on key recommendations from the Fifth Conference, this year’s event will facilitate in-depth dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and practical recommendations to transition from fragmented approaches to more integrated and synergistic policies and actions, feeding into key upcoming milestones.


18 November | Baku, Azerbaijan | 13:30-14:45
Closing The Ambition Gap: Fostering Synergies Between Climate Action and SDGs
[COP29, SDG Pavilion] Organized by UN DESA and UNFCCC Secretariat, this event focused on the urgent need to integrate climate action with the SDGs. With most SDGs off-track, discussions explored synergistic solutions to accelerate progress. Members of the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group presented findings from the 2024 Climate and SDG Synergy report, and offered perspectives and concrete recommendations for aligning climate and development policies and actions. The panel of experts, including contributing experts to the Report, discussed key topics such as financing, sectoral strategies, multi-stakeholder engagement, and the role of upcoming NDCs in driving integrated solutions. The event emphasized the importance of political commitment and collaboration to bridge the ambition gap and highlighted the need for coherent actions that support both climate and broader development goals.
Watch it here | Concept Note | More info here.
15 November | Baku, Azerbaijan | 13:15-14:45
Synergy Solutions: Overcoming Silos and Policy Incoherence to Close the Climate & SDGs Ambition Gap
The official UN system side event, co-organized by UN DESA and UNU and in collaboration with UNFCCC, convened leaders and experts to explore strategies for overcoming barriers to integrated, coherent climate and sustainable development action, moving away from fragmentation and policy incoherence to close the climate and SDG ambition gap while ensuring just transitions, nature protection, and resilience. Drawing on findings from the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies and Fifth Global Synergies Conference outcomes, the event featured insights from Japan, Denmark, the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, and civil society, finance, and UN stakeholders on how synergy solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional approaches and examined ways to integrate SDGs into NDC 3.0, in view of COP29 priorities and upcoming critical milestones.

5-6 September, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fifth Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Fifth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) on 5-6 September and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. The Conference brought together around 80 speakers from 30 countries, including high-level representatives from member states, as well as heads of UN agencies, youth and civil society leaders. The Conference was attended by close to 300 in-person and around 3,000 virtual participants. Building on the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, the Conference highlighted empirical evidence and case studies on climate action and SDG co-benefits, addressed climate finance, risk mitigation, and adaptation strategies, and emphasized public participation. The Conference was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

16 July, New York, United States
Launch of the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy
The 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy has been launched at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, in a special event titled "Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want through Climate and SDG Synergy" co-convened by UNDESA and the UNFCCC Secretariat. Developed by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, with inputs from over 100 multi-stakeholder experts, the report addresses intertwined challenges through collaborative action, emphasizing the need to dismantle fragmentation and silos globally and domestically. Representatives from Brazil, Denmark, Japan, Belize, Ireland, and Uganda, along with various experts, affirmed the importance of synergistic action. The report focuses on enhancing synergies in policy instruments, knowledge sharing, financial mechanisms, and leveraging cities for sustainable development. Following the Special event, discussions at a high-level luncheon, hosted by the Government of Japan and DESA, brought together approximately 100 representatives underscoring the critical need for integrated solutions to climate impacts and financial constraints.
Watch it here | Read the 2024 Global Report | Read the Web Release | Learn more here

10 July, New York, United States
HLPF 2024: SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action
During the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of ECOSOC, the main session on “SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action” highlighted that progress on SDG 13 is severely off-track. With over 80 percent of the SDG targets directly linked to climate, this affects the interlinked SDGs. Participants stressed the urgent need for integrated actions and heightened synergies, particularly in energy transition and climate risk management, to align with a pathway towards carbon neutrality. Discussions underscored the critical role of comprehensive, inclusive approaches involving governments, societies, and the private sector. Calls were made to significantly increase climate financing to address the investment gap, enhance capacity building, facilitate technology transfer, and foster robust partnerships. The recently adopted 2024 HLPF Ministerial Declaration emphasizes the importance of enhancing synergies in national climate and development policies to achieve global climate goals and deliver on the 2030 Agenda, while ensuring transition pathways that are just, equitable, and inclusive across all sectors, leaving no one behind.
Watch it here | Learn more here
11 June 2024, Bonn, Germany
Launch of the Thematic Reports by the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group
Four Thematic Reports were launched at the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body (SB60) in Bonn, Germany, during the side event "Seeking Synergies Across Rio Conventions and the SDGs: Unlocking Transformative Strategies for a Multi-Crisis World," by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. Highlighting how action to tackle climate change and the SDGs can be accelerated by addressing both crises together, notably in the key areas of policy frameworks, financial systems, knowledge and data, and cities. Expert Group co-leads, Mr. Luis Gomez-Echeverri, Ms. Heide Hackmann, together with another key member Mr. Kaveh Guilanpour, presented the reports on behalf of the Group. These reports lay the groundwork for the 2024 Global Synthesis Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, to be released in the high-level political forum on the 16th of July.
Thematic Reports | Web release | Climate and Synergy Expert group | Reports’ presentation by the Experts

22 May, online
Synergies Between Climate Action and SDGs: Implications for Multilateralism
The WSDS-Act4Earth Virtual Dialogue, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), delved into the critical topic of synergies between Climate Action and the SDGs. The dialogue aimed to explore how these synergies could be leveraged to align the targets set in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The dialogue also addressed the organizational insulation that has emerged between discussions on climate within different multilateral processes, such as COP and HLPF, and sought to identify ways to address this insulation for more effective outcomes. One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by a member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, who shared insights into the group’s ongoing work and provided a glimpse into the recommendations of the 2024 report.
10 May 2024, Incheon, Republic of Korea
2024 Executive Training Course for Policymakers on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2024 Executive Training Course for Policymakers on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which took place from 7-10 May 2024 in Incheon, Republic of Korea, gathered over 70 participants globally. This year’s focus was on aligning SDG planning with country NDCs to drive integrated policymaking for sustainable development and climate action. Hosted by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), the event aimed to enhance participants' capacities in sustainable development planning and policymaking. It featured presentations, discussions, and peer collaboration, guided by a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach. UN DESA presented on the Climate and SDG Synergy work, highlighting the importance of alignment and key findings from the first Global Report on this topic developed by the Expert Group. This event was particularly relevant for the 20+ attending countries, some of which will present their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at this year’s High-Level Political Forum.

4 - 5 March 2024, Tokyo, Japan
Expert Group Meeting on SDG 13: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Combating Climate Change
At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, it is found that no SDG 13 target is making significant progress, while the global emissions are on the trajectory of a steady rise. On 4 - 5 March 2024 the Expert Group Meeting on SDG 13 was co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC in Tokyo, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. The meeting served as a crucial step in delineating strategic and actionable recommendations to get SDG 13 back on track while ensuring co-benefits with other interlinked SDGs. Over 60 experts gathered to review progress and provide substantial contributions to the SDG 13 thematic review during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2024, shaping the global response to climate change and advancing sustainable, resilient solutions.
4 December 2023
Health as Entry Point for SDG / Climate Synergy: A Focus on Cities, Air Pollution and Justice
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - The session, organized by the University of Cambridge and UrbanBetter, explored with panelists the windows of opportunity for intersectoral policy making and advocacy at the health-SDG-climate interface. The expert panelists also explored how they perceive the link between implementation realities and what policies provide for; and how advocacy initiatives can support transformative ideas that seek to bridge this gap. Two data-driven presentations on the interlinkages between health and climate change set the scene for the open discussion. Here, participants contributed with a number of key examples of policies and advocacy approaches that they personally worked on, and which directly contribute to strengthening the synergistic implementation of climate and SDGs through the lens of health.
5 December 2023
Tackling climate and SDG action together. Call for Minister-level Working Group on Climate-SDG Synergy
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This event at the SDG Pavilion, hosted by the governments of Denmark and Rwanda, did a soft-launch for a High-Level Working Group with a clear purpose of addressing the topic of climate development synergies at the highest level. The Ministers represented, the Administrator of UNDP and Executive Secretary of UNFCCC called for a stronger political commitment to merge the climate and SDG agenda and maximize the impact. After the introduction to the Minister-level Working Group, a technical panel discussed the findings from first global report from the Independent Expert Group on Climate-SDG Synergies entitled “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis - Tackling Climate and SDGs Together”, and mapped the road ahead to maximize co-benefits of increased synergies between the two agendas.
Watch it here | See the agenda here
5 December 2023
The Global Climate 2011-2020: Accelerating Climate Change, Accelerating Action
[COP28, Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This side event, organized by the World Meteorologic Organization (WMO), launched the State of the Climate report, covering 2011-2020. This timely report is another important contribution to understanding long-term changes in the state of the climate. It offers many insights, particularly on extreme events, including attribution to anthropogenic climate change and connecting their impacts on development to the achievement of the SDGs. The first Expert Group report served as one of the key resources for the WMO report. The launch event served to bring greater awareness toward the need for enhanced mitigation and adaptation efforts, and to provide key insights on the importance of improved climate finance and synergistic action with the SDGs.
Watch it here | Learn more here
6 December 2023
Redefining Success: A Just and Equitable Transition through greater Climate Action and SDGs Synergies
[COP28, Official COP28 Side Event, Blue Zone] - The official UN system Side Event, co-hosted by the UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, alongside representatives from Japan, Denmark and Brazil, and non-state actors actively engaged in advancing the intersection of climate action and SDGs.
Watch it here | Summary | Concept Note
8 December 2023
Bridging Science, Policy, and Society: Tackling Climate and SDGs in Synergy
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - Organized by UN DESA and UNFCCC secretariat, this event shed light on how to address the disconnect between the science-policy-society interface towards acceleration of synergic action on climate and the SDGs. Many countries face a number of barriers, including access to sound data, methodologies and tools that can help translate scientific findings into digestible and actionable polices. This was also one of key the findings of the recently published Expert Group Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, an overview of which was presented by the co-chair of the Expert Group at the event. Speakers shared insights and concrete examples at the national, regional, and local levels on challenges and opportunities in enhancing the interconnection between science-policy-society interface. Importance of inclusive processes that take into account participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including youth, civil society and the private sector was highlighted.

8 December 2023
Climate-Biodiversity-SDGs Synergistic actions in Asia-Pacific
[COP28, Japan Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This seminar, hosted at the Japan Pavilion by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), serves as a platform for expanding partnerships with like-minded nations and international organizations. The main focus of this gathering is to engage in substantive dialogues about policy measures that can be implemented to realize synergies and promote climate action, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development at the same time, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. Through this seminar, we aim to enhance our collective efforts in addressing global environmental challenges.
11 December 2023
The SDGs and the Global Stocktake: A Vision for Our Future
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] The official UN system Side Event, co-hosted by the UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, alongside representatives from Japan, Denmark and Brazil, and non-state actors actively engaged in advancing the intersection of climate action and SDGs.
16 September 2023
Orchestrating Global Synergies for Climate Action and SDGs
[SDG Summit side event] Co-hosted by UNDESA and UNFCCC on 16 September as part of SDG Action Weekend provided an opportunity for a deeper conversation about how to build greater climate and SDG synergies following the launch of the expert group report. Representatives from the Governments of Denmark, Japan and Brazil offered their views, and several NGOs, academics and a youth climate activist stressed the need to address inequalities, climate justice, accountability and lack of finance. COP28 was seen as an important step ahead to integrate SDG indicators into the climate process.
Concept Note | Recording | Flyer
13 September 2023
Launch of the First Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy
The first global report titled “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis: Tackling Climate and SDG Action Together” was jointly launched by DESA and UNFCCC secretariat at the SDG Studio in New York. The report launch was presided over by Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General of UN DESA and Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, along with the co-leads and a member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. The event was organized as a dynamic conversation with a professional moderator, offering online spectators a good understanding of the report’s scope, mission, and desired impacts.
Event Page | Recording | Flyer

16 July 2023
Fourth Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Fourth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the United Nations on 16 July 2023, bringing together Ministers and high-level representatives from government, business and civil society, among over 400 in-person and nearly 4,000 virtual participants from 140 countries. Building the evidence base for win-win synergies that tackle both the climate emergency and the Sustainable Development Goals, participants shared experiences and viewpoints, and made recommendations for how to break down silos and advance integrated action. The Conference was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as a special event of the 2023 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Event Page | Outcome Summary | Concept Note
12 June 2023
Accelerating Climate and SDG Synergies as an Enabler for Just Transition
[Bonn SB58 side event] Just Transition is all-encompassing and is aligned with the integrated approach to the implementation on climate and SDGs synergies. This event aimed to share developments and processes in which participants can contribute towards an increased understanding and scaling up of synergistic implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement goal. The event also served as an opportunity to shape key recommendations of the global assessment on climate and SDGs synergies, which scope is to inform key 2023 milestones such as the SDG Summit, the Climate Ambition Summit, the UNFCCC COP28 and its Regional Climate Weeks, to mainstream a coordinated climate and SDG action among their processes and outcomes.
Concept Note | Presentation | Recording
16 November 2022
Delivering in Synergy on Climate Action and the SDGs: A Pathway to Untapped Potential
[COP27 event] Building on evidence and lessons learned in the context of the Third Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies, the aim of this event was to strengthen support for coordinated implementation and determine context-specific key regional priorities and opportunities for synergistic action on the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
14 November 2022
Turning pledges into inclusive and equitable actions: Synergistic Implementation of Climate and the SDGs
[COP27 event] Lead experts from a variety of backgrounds explored how harnessing synergies across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement can at the same time help advance inclusive and just transitions. Speakers shared practical insights on incorporating a “climate and SDGs” lens into their areas of work, from science and policy to financing and delivery of development co-benefits, towards more equitable, fair, and resilient outcomes.

20-21 July 2022
Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Building on the outcomes of the first Climate and SDGs Synergy Conference in 2019 and the virtual consultations in 2020/2021, the joint UNDESA and UNFCCC Third Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, in partnership with the United Nations University (UNU) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), provided a unique opportunity to take stock of practical measures that are being implemented to advance climate and SDG synergies in regional, national and subnational efforts, including through COVID recovery plans and the NDCs. At the high-level segment of the Conference, Ministers, heads of UN organizations and agencies, business leaders, scientists and youth representatives emphasized the need for greater SDG and climate ambition. The need to urgently boost joint implementation and address gaps such as financing and capacity building was also recognized.
Concept Note | Conference Summary | Event Page

6 July 2021
Launch of E-Learning Course on Harnessing Climate & SDGs Synergies
The course builds on the 2019 Climate and SDG Synergies Conference and the 2020-2021 Synergies Learning Series, going into more depth to provide policymakers with tools and evidence they may use to advocate for climate and synergies in related intergovernmental fora as well as their local context.
Registration | Concept Note | Poster | Event Page
15 December 2020 – 2 February 2021
Virtual Learning Series: Harnessing Climate & SDGs Synergies to Raise Ambition in the Era of Paris+5 and Pandemic Recovery
Building on the Climate and SDG Synergies Conferences, this learning series provided stakeholders and practitioners with tools they can use to apply climate and SDG synergies in practice.
2 February 2021
Webinar 3: Overcoming Constraints to Implement Climate & SDG Synergies: capacity, financing and monitoring
Webinar 3 responded to the 'How' question, offering particpants tools and methods to address the re-occurring challenges of realizing climate & SDG synergies in practice.
19 January 2021
Webinar 2: How to Maximize Climate & SDG Synergies? Identifying Opportunities and Navigating Trade-offs
Webinar 2 responded to the 'What' question, introducing range of tools participants can use to identify opportunities to realize climate & SDG co-benefits; and navigate trade-offs.
15 December 2020
Webinar 1: Making the Case for Integrated Climate and SDG Action
Webinar 1 responded to the 'Why' question, providing participants with tools and evidence they can use to advocate for climate & SDG synergies.
25 May – 30 June 2020
Global Consultations on Climate & SDG Synergies for a Better and Stronger Recovery, 25 May – 30 June 2020
The Consultation aimed to advance the application of synergies in practice by collecting good practices that illustrate the potential of synergistic approaches to recover better & faster from Covid-19, accelerate enhanced climate action and transitions to sustainable development.
25 June 2020
Webinar 3: Going Forward with Climate & SDG Synergies for Covid-19 Recovery
Participants considered next steps to strengthen climate & SDG synergies in practice. Speakers propose ways to leverage intergovernmental processes on biodiversity, food, transport and oceans.
11 June 2020
Webinar 2: Synergies for Just Transitions & Economic Recovery
Diverse experts suggested policies and changes that can enable countries to realize “quick wins” for people & planet, while laying the ground for enduring climate, economic & SDG co-benefits.
28 May 2020
Webinar 1: Thinking ahead for a sustainable, just and resilient recovery
Thought leaders and practitioners shared lessons learned from integrated planning to date, and suggested ways to maximize climate & SDG synergies in recovery planning.

27-28 May 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark
Sixth Global Climate and SDG Synergies Conference
The sixth edition of the Global Climate and SDG Synergy Conference, co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC and hosted by the Government of Denmark, will take place on 27-28 May 2025 at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference will convene multi-stakeholder leaders and experts to explore strategies and actionable pathways for accelerating the synergistic implementation of climate action and sustainable development.
Informed by the work of the Expert Group and building on key recommendations from the Fifth Conference, this year’s event will facilitate in-depth dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and practical recommendations to transition from fragmented approaches to more integrated and synergistic policies and actions, feeding into key upcoming milestones.
11-22 November | Baku, Azerbaijan
SDG Pavilion
The sixth SDG Pavilion, hosted by UN DESA in partnership with UNFCCC Secretariat and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), featured at COP29 from November 11 to 22, providing an inclusive platform to foster partnerships and advance synergies between climate action and all 17 SDGs. At the opening, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, emphasized the importance of integrated solutions amid converging crises, stating, “We can multiply our impact by aligning climate action with the SDGs. This approach is gaining momentum.” This year, the Pavilion introduced the Forest Pavilion, focusing on forest protection and sustainable management. Over 100 hours of constructive discussions, including more than 100 events, engaged over 120 multi-stakeholder partners from nearly 90 countries, including UN entities, Member States, academia, and youth organizations. The Pavilion served as a dynamic space for dialogue, networking, and outreach, with sessions streamed online, further raising awareness on key issues like climate-SDG synergies, energy, water, and finance, while solidifying its role as a key hub for climate action at COP and advancing the alignment of global climate efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
For more information, please watch here.


18 November | Baku, Azerbaijan | 13:30-14:45
Closing The Ambition Gap: Fostering Synergies Between Climate Action and SDGs
[COP29, SDG Pavilion] Organized by UN DESA and UNFCCC Secretariat, this event focused on the urgent need to integrate climate action with the SDGs. With most SDGs off-track, discussions explored synergistic solutions to accelerate progress. Members of the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group presented findings from the 2024 Climate and SDG Synergy report, and offered perspectives and concrete recommendations for aligning climate and development policies and actions. The panel of experts, including contributing experts to the Report, discussed key topics such as financing, sectoral strategies, multi-stakeholder engagement, and the role of upcoming NDCs in driving integrated solutions. The event emphasized the importance of political commitment and collaboration to bridge the ambition gap and highlighted the need for coherent actions that support both climate and broader development goals.
Watch it here | Concept Note | More info here.
15 November | Baku, Azerbaijan | 13:15-14:45
Synergy Solutions: Overcoming Silos and Policy Incoherence to Close the Climate & SDGs Ambition Gap
The official UN system side event, co-organized by UN DESA and UNU and in collaboration with UNFCCC, convened leaders and experts to explore strategies for overcoming barriers to integrated, coherent climate and sustainable development action, moving away from fragmentation and policy incoherence to close the climate and SDG ambition gap while ensuring just transitions, nature protection, and resilience. Drawing on findings from the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies and Fifth Global Synergies Conference outcomes, the event featured insights from Japan, Denmark, the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, and civil society, finance, and UN stakeholders on how synergy solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional approaches and examined ways to integrate SDGs into NDC 3.0, in view of COP29 priorities and upcoming critical milestones.

5-6 September, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fifth Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Fifth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) on 5-6 September and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. The Conference brought together around 80 speakers from 30 countries, including high-level representatives from member states, as well as heads of UN agencies, youth and civil society leaders. The Conference was attended by close to 300 in-person and around 3,000 virtual participants. Building on the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, the Conference highlighted empirical evidence and case studies on climate action and SDG co-benefits, addressed climate finance, risk mitigation, and adaptation strategies, and emphasized public participation. The Conference was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

16 July, New York, United States
Launch of the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy
The 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy has been launched at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, in a special event titled "Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want through Climate and SDG Synergy" co-convened by UNDESA and the UNFCCC Secretariat. Developed by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, with inputs from over 100 multi-stakeholder experts, the report addresses intertwined challenges through collaborative action, emphasizing the need to dismantle fragmentation and silos globally and domestically. Representatives from Brazil, Denmark, Japan, Belize, Ireland, and Uganda, along with various experts, affirmed the importance of synergistic action. The report focuses on enhancing synergies in policy instruments, knowledge sharing, financial mechanisms, and leveraging cities for sustainable development. Following the Special event, discussions at a high-level luncheon, hosted by the Government of Japan and DESA, brought together approximately 100 representatives underscoring the critical need for integrated solutions to climate impacts and financial constraints.
Watch it here | Read the 2024 Global Report | Read the Web Release | Learn more here

10 July, New York, United States
HLPF 2024: SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action
During the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of ECOSOC, the main session on “SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action” highlighted that progress on SDG 13 is severely off-track. With over 80 percent of the SDG targets directly linked to climate, this affects the interlinked SDGs. Participants stressed the urgent need for integrated actions and heightened synergies, particularly in energy transition and climate risk management, to align with a pathway towards carbon neutrality. Discussions underscored the critical role of comprehensive, inclusive approaches involving governments, societies, and the private sector. Calls were made to significantly increase climate financing to address the investment gap, enhance capacity building, facilitate technology transfer, and foster robust partnerships. The recently adopted 2024 HLPF Ministerial Declaration emphasizes the importance of enhancing synergies in national climate and development policies to achieve global climate goals and deliver on the 2030 Agenda, while ensuring transition pathways that are just, equitable, and inclusive across all sectors, leaving no one behind.
Watch it here | Learn more here
11 June 2024, Bonn, Germany
Launch of the Thematic Reports by the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group
Four Thematic Reports were launched at the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body (SB60) in Bonn, Germany, during the side event "Seeking Synergies Across Rio Conventions and the SDGs: Unlocking Transformative Strategies for a Multi-Crisis World," by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. Highlighting how action to tackle climate change and the SDGs can be accelerated by addressing both crises together, notably in the key areas of policy frameworks, financial systems, knowledge and data, and cities. Expert Group co-leads, Mr. Luis Gomez-Echeverri, Ms. Heide Hackmann, together with another key member Mr. Kaveh Guilanpour, presented the reports on behalf of the Group. These reports lay the groundwork for the 2024 Global Synthesis Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, to be released in the high-level political forum on the 16th of July.
Thematic Reports | Web release | Climate and Synergy Expert group | Reports’ presentation by the Experts

22 May, online
Synergies Between Climate Action and SDGs: Implications for Multilateralism
The WSDS-Act4Earth Virtual Dialogue, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), delved into the critical topic of synergies between Climate Action and the SDGs. The dialogue aimed to explore how these synergies could be leveraged to align the targets set in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The dialogue also addressed the organizational insulation that has emerged between discussions on climate within different multilateral processes, such as COP and HLPF, and sought to identify ways to address this insulation for more effective outcomes. One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by a member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, who shared insights into the group’s ongoing work and provided a glimpse into the recommendations of the 2024 report.
10 May 2024, Incheon, Republic of Korea
2024 Executive Training Course for Policymakers on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2024 Executive Training Course for Policymakers on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which took place from 7-10 May 2024 in Incheon, Republic of Korea, gathered over 70 participants globally. This year’s focus was on aligning SDG planning with country NDCs to drive integrated policymaking for sustainable development and climate action. Hosted by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), the event aimed to enhance participants' capacities in sustainable development planning and policymaking. It featured presentations, discussions, and peer collaboration, guided by a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach. UN DESA presented on the Climate and SDG Synergy work, highlighting the importance of alignment and key findings from the first Global Report on this topic developed by the Expert Group. This event was particularly relevant for the 20+ attending countries, some of which will present their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at this year’s High-Level Political Forum.

4 - 5 March 2024, Tokyo, Japan
Expert Group Meeting on SDG 13: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Combating Climate Change
At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, it is found that no SDG 13 target is making significant progress, while the global emissions are on the trajectory of a steady rise. On 4 - 5 March 2024 the Expert Group Meeting on SDG 13 was co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC in Tokyo, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. The meeting served as a crucial step in delineating strategic and actionable recommendations to get SDG 13 back on track while ensuring co-benefits with other interlinked SDGs. Over 60 experts gathered to review progress and provide substantial contributions to the SDG 13 thematic review during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2024, shaping the global response to climate change and advancing sustainable, resilient solutions.
4 December 2023
Health as Entry Point for SDG / Climate Synergy: A Focus on Cities, Air Pollution and Justice
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - The session, organized by the University of Cambridge and UrbanBetter, explored with panelists the windows of opportunity for intersectoral policy making and advocacy at the health-SDG-climate interface. The expert panelists also explored how they perceive the link between implementation realities and what policies provide for; and how advocacy initiatives can support transformative ideas that seek to bridge this gap. Two data-driven presentations on the interlinkages between health and climate change set the scene for the open discussion. Here, participants contributed with a number of key examples of policies and advocacy approaches that they personally worked on, and which directly contribute to strengthening the synergistic implementation of climate and SDGs through the lens of health.
5 December 2023
Tackling climate and SDG action together. Call for Minister-level Working Group on Climate-SDG Synergy
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This event at the SDG Pavilion, hosted by the governments of Denmark and Rwanda, did a soft-launch for a High-Level Working Group with a clear purpose of addressing the topic of climate development synergies at the highest level. The Ministers represented, the Administrator of UNDP and Executive Secretary of UNFCCC called for a stronger political commitment to merge the climate and SDG agenda and maximize the impact. After the introduction to the Minister-level Working Group, a technical panel discussed the findings from first global report from the Independent Expert Group on Climate-SDG Synergies entitled “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis - Tackling Climate and SDGs Together”, and mapped the road ahead to maximize co-benefits of increased synergies between the two agendas.
Watch it here | See the agenda here
5 December 2023
The Global Climate 2011-2020: Accelerating Climate Change, Accelerating Action
[COP28, Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This side event, organized by the World Meteorologic Organization (WMO), launched the State of the Climate report, covering 2011-2020. This timely report is another important contribution to understanding long-term changes in the state of the climate. It offers many insights, particularly on extreme events, including attribution to anthropogenic climate change and connecting their impacts on development to the achievement of the SDGs. The first Expert Group report served as one of the key resources for the WMO report. The launch event served to bring greater awareness toward the need for enhanced mitigation and adaptation efforts, and to provide key insights on the importance of improved climate finance and synergistic action with the SDGs.
Watch it here | Learn more here
6 December 2023
Redefining Success: A Just and Equitable Transition through greater Climate Action and SDGs Synergies
[COP28, Official COP28 Side Event, Blue Zone] - The official UN system Side Event, co-hosted by the UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, alongside representatives from Japan, Denmark and Brazil, and non-state actors actively engaged in advancing the intersection of climate action and SDGs.
Watch it here | Summary | Concept Note
8 December 2023
Bridging Science, Policy, and Society: Tackling Climate and SDGs in Synergy
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - Organized by UN DESA and UNFCCC secretariat, this event shed light on how to address the disconnect between the science-policy-society interface towards acceleration of synergic action on climate and the SDGs. Many countries face a number of barriers, including access to sound data, methodologies and tools that can help translate scientific findings into digestible and actionable polices. This was also one of key the findings of the recently published Expert Group Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, an overview of which was presented by the co-chair of the Expert Group at the event. Speakers shared insights and concrete examples at the national, regional, and local levels on challenges and opportunities in enhancing the interconnection between science-policy-society interface. Importance of inclusive processes that take into account participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including youth, civil society and the private sector was highlighted.

8 December 2023
Climate-Biodiversity-SDGs Synergistic actions in Asia-Pacific
[COP28, Japan Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This seminar, hosted at the Japan Pavilion by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), serves as a platform for expanding partnerships with like-minded nations and international organizations. The main focus of this gathering is to engage in substantive dialogues about policy measures that can be implemented to realize synergies and promote climate action, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development at the same time, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. Through this seminar, we aim to enhance our collective efforts in addressing global environmental challenges.
11 December 2023
The SDGs and the Global Stocktake: A Vision for Our Future
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] The official UN system Side Event, co-hosted by the UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, alongside representatives from Japan, Denmark and Brazil, and non-state actors actively engaged in advancing the intersection of climate action and SDGs.
16 September 2023
Orchestrating Global Synergies for Climate Action and SDGs
[SDG Summit side event] Co-hosted by UNDESA and UNFCCC on 16 September as part of SDG Action Weekend provided an opportunity for a deeper conversation about how to build greater climate and SDG synergies following the launch of the expert group report. Representatives from the Governments of Denmark, Japan and Brazil offered their views, and several NGOs, academics and a youth climate activist stressed the need to address inequalities, climate justice, accountability and lack of finance. COP28 was seen as an important step ahead to integrate SDG indicators into the climate process.
Concept Note | Recording | Flyer
13 September 2023
Launch of the First Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy
The first global report titled “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis: Tackling Climate and SDG Action Together” was jointly launched by DESA and UNFCCC secretariat at the SDG Studio in New York. The report launch was presided over by Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General of UN DESA and Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, along with the co-leads and a member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. The event was organized as a dynamic conversation with a professional moderator, offering online spectators a good understanding of the report’s scope, mission, and desired impacts.
Event Page | Recording | Flyer

16 July 2023
Fourth Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Fourth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the United Nations on 16 July 2023, bringing together Ministers and high-level representatives from government, business and civil society, among over 400 in-person and nearly 4,000 virtual participants from 140 countries. Building the evidence base for win-win synergies that tackle both the climate emergency and the Sustainable Development Goals, participants shared experiences and viewpoints, and made recommendations for how to break down silos and advance integrated action. The Conference was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as a special event of the 2023 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Event Page | Outcome Summary | Concept Note
12 June 2023
Accelerating Climate and SDG Synergies as an Enabler for Just Transition
[Bonn SB58 side event] Just Transition is all-encompassing and is aligned with the integrated approach to the implementation on climate and SDGs synergies. This event aimed to share developments and processes in which participants can contribute towards an increased understanding and scaling up of synergistic implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement goal. The event also served as an opportunity to shape key recommendations of the global assessment on climate and SDGs synergies, which scope is to inform key 2023 milestones such as the SDG Summit, the Climate Ambition Summit, the UNFCCC COP28 and its Regional Climate Weeks, to mainstream a coordinated climate and SDG action among their processes and outcomes.
Concept Note | Presentation | Recording
16 November 2022
Delivering in Synergy on Climate Action and the SDGs: A Pathway to Untapped Potential
[COP27 event] Building on evidence and lessons learned in the context of the Third Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies, the aim of this event was to strengthen support for coordinated implementation and determine context-specific key regional priorities and opportunities for synergistic action on the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
14 November 2022
Turning pledges into inclusive and equitable actions: Synergistic Implementation of Climate and the SDGs
[COP27 event] Lead experts from a variety of backgrounds explored how harnessing synergies across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement can at the same time help advance inclusive and just transitions. Speakers shared practical insights on incorporating a “climate and SDGs” lens into their areas of work, from science and policy to financing and delivery of development co-benefits, towards more equitable, fair, and resilient outcomes.

20-21 July 2022
Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Building on the outcomes of the first Climate and SDGs Synergy Conference in 2019 and the virtual consultations in 2020/2021, the joint UNDESA and UNFCCC Third Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, in partnership with the United Nations University (UNU) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), provided a unique opportunity to take stock of practical measures that are being implemented to advance climate and SDG synergies in regional, national and subnational efforts, including through COVID recovery plans and the NDCs. At the high-level segment of the Conference, Ministers, heads of UN organizations and agencies, business leaders, scientists and youth representatives emphasized the need for greater SDG and climate ambition. The need to urgently boost joint implementation and address gaps such as financing and capacity building was also recognized.
Concept Note | Conference Summary | Event Page

6 July 2021
Launch of E-Learning Course on Harnessing Climate & SDGs Synergies
The course builds on the 2019 Climate and SDG Synergies Conference and the 2020-2021 Synergies Learning Series, going into more depth to provide policymakers with tools and evidence they may use to advocate for climate and synergies in related intergovernmental fora as well as their local context.
Registration | Concept Note | Poster | Event Page
15 December 2020 – 2 February 2021
Virtual Learning Series: Harnessing Climate & SDGs Synergies to Raise Ambition in the Era of Paris+5 and Pandemic Recovery
Building on the Climate and SDG Synergies Conferences, this learning series provided stakeholders and practitioners with tools they can use to apply climate and SDG synergies in practice.
2 February 2021
Webinar 3: Overcoming Constraints to Implement Climate & SDG Synergies: capacity, financing and monitoring
Webinar 3 responded to the 'How' question, offering particpants tools and methods to address the re-occurring challenges of realizing climate & SDG synergies in practice.
19 January 2021
Webinar 2: How to Maximize Climate & SDG Synergies? Identifying Opportunities and Navigating Trade-offs
Webinar 2 responded to the 'What' question, introducing range of tools participants can use to identify opportunities to realize climate & SDG co-benefits; and navigate trade-offs.
15 December 2020
Webinar 1: Making the Case for Integrated Climate and SDG Action
Webinar 1 responded to the 'Why' question, providing participants with tools and evidence they can use to advocate for climate & SDG synergies.
25 May – 30 June 2020
Global Consultations on Climate & SDG Synergies for a Better and Stronger Recovery, 25 May – 30 June 2020
The Consultation aimed to advance the application of synergies in practice by collecting good practices that illustrate the potential of synergistic approaches to recover better & faster from Covid-19, accelerate enhanced climate action and transitions to sustainable development.
25 June 2020
Webinar 3: Going Forward with Climate & SDG Synergies for Covid-19 Recovery
Participants considered next steps to strengthen climate & SDG synergies in practice. Speakers propose ways to leverage intergovernmental processes on biodiversity, food, transport and oceans.
11 June 2020
Webinar 2: Synergies for Just Transitions & Economic Recovery
Diverse experts suggested policies and changes that can enable countries to realize “quick wins” for people & planet, while laying the ground for enduring climate, economic & SDG co-benefits.
28 May 2020
Webinar 1: Thinking ahead for a sustainable, just and resilient recovery
Thought leaders and practitioners shared lessons learned from integrated planning to date, and suggested ways to maximize climate & SDG synergies in recovery planning.

27-28 May 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark
Sixth Global Climate and SDG Synergies Conference
The sixth edition of the Global Climate and SDG Synergy Conference, co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC and hosted by the Government of Denmark, will take place on 27-28 May 2025 at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference will convene multi-stakeholder leaders and experts to explore strategies and actionable pathways for accelerating the synergistic implementation of climate action and sustainable development.
Informed by the work of the Expert Group and building on key recommendations from the Fifth Conference, this year’s event will facilitate in-depth dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and practical recommendations to transition from fragmented approaches to more integrated and synergistic policies and actions, feeding into key upcoming milestones.
11-22 November | Baku, Azerbaijan
SDG Pavilion
The sixth SDG Pavilion, hosted by UN DESA in partnership with UNFCCC Secretariat and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), featured at COP29 from November 11 to 22, providing an inclusive platform to foster partnerships and advance synergies between climate action and all 17 SDGs. At the opening, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, emphasized the importance of integrated solutions amid converging crises, stating, “We can multiply our impact by aligning climate action with the SDGs. This approach is gaining momentum.” This year, the Pavilion introduced the Forest Pavilion, focusing on forest protection and sustainable management. Over 100 hours of constructive discussions, including more than 100 events, engaged over 120 multi-stakeholder partners from nearly 90 countries, including UN entities, Member States, academia, and youth organizations. The Pavilion served as a dynamic space for dialogue, networking, and outreach, with sessions streamed online, further raising awareness on key issues like climate-SDG synergies, energy, water, and finance, while solidifying its role as a key hub for climate action at COP and advancing the alignment of global climate efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
For more information, please watch here.


18 November | Baku, Azerbaijan | 13:30-14:45
Closing The Ambition Gap: Fostering Synergies Between Climate Action and SDGs
[COP29, SDG Pavilion] Organized by UN DESA and UNFCCC Secretariat, this event focused on the urgent need to integrate climate action with the SDGs. With most SDGs off-track, discussions explored synergistic solutions to accelerate progress. Members of the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group presented findings from the 2024 Climate and SDG Synergy report, and offered perspectives and concrete recommendations for aligning climate and development policies and actions. The panel of experts, including contributing experts to the Report, discussed key topics such as financing, sectoral strategies, multi-stakeholder engagement, and the role of upcoming NDCs in driving integrated solutions. The event emphasized the importance of political commitment and collaboration to bridge the ambition gap and highlighted the need for coherent actions that support both climate and broader development goals.
Watch it here | Concept Note | More info here.
15 November | Baku, Azerbaijan | 13:15-14:45
Synergy Solutions: Overcoming Silos and Policy Incoherence to Close the Climate & SDGs Ambition Gap
The official UN system side event, co-organized by UN DESA and UNU and in collaboration with UNFCCC, convened leaders and experts to explore strategies for overcoming barriers to integrated, coherent climate and sustainable development action, moving away from fragmentation and policy incoherence to close the climate and SDG ambition gap while ensuring just transitions, nature protection, and resilience. Drawing on findings from the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies and Fifth Global Synergies Conference outcomes, the event featured insights from Japan, Denmark, the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, and civil society, finance, and UN stakeholders on how synergy solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional approaches and examined ways to integrate SDGs into NDC 3.0, in view of COP29 priorities and upcoming critical milestones.

5-6 September, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fifth Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Fifth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) on 5-6 September and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. The Conference brought together around 80 speakers from 30 countries, including high-level representatives from member states, as well as heads of UN agencies, youth and civil society leaders. The Conference was attended by close to 300 in-person and around 3,000 virtual participants. Building on the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, the Conference highlighted empirical evidence and case studies on climate action and SDG co-benefits, addressed climate finance, risk mitigation, and adaptation strategies, and emphasized public participation. The Conference was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

16 July, New York, United States
Launch of the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy
The 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy has been launched at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, in a special event titled "Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want through Climate and SDG Synergy" co-convened by UNDESA and the UNFCCC Secretariat. Developed by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, with inputs from over 100 multi-stakeholder experts, the report addresses intertwined challenges through collaborative action, emphasizing the need to dismantle fragmentation and silos globally and domestically. Representatives from Brazil, Denmark, Japan, Belize, Ireland, and Uganda, along with various experts, affirmed the importance of synergistic action. The report focuses on enhancing synergies in policy instruments, knowledge sharing, financial mechanisms, and leveraging cities for sustainable development. Following the Special event, discussions at a high-level luncheon, hosted by the Government of Japan and DESA, brought together approximately 100 representatives underscoring the critical need for integrated solutions to climate impacts and financial constraints.
Watch it here | Read the 2024 Global Report | Read the Web Release | Learn more here

10 July, New York, United States
HLPF 2024: SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action
During the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of ECOSOC, the main session on “SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action” highlighted that progress on SDG 13 is severely off-track. With over 80 percent of the SDG targets directly linked to climate, this affects the interlinked SDGs. Participants stressed the urgent need for integrated actions and heightened synergies, particularly in energy transition and climate risk management, to align with a pathway towards carbon neutrality. Discussions underscored the critical role of comprehensive, inclusive approaches involving governments, societies, and the private sector. Calls were made to significantly increase climate financing to address the investment gap, enhance capacity building, facilitate technology transfer, and foster robust partnerships. The recently adopted 2024 HLPF Ministerial Declaration emphasizes the importance of enhancing synergies in national climate and development policies to achieve global climate goals and deliver on the 2030 Agenda, while ensuring transition pathways that are just, equitable, and inclusive across all sectors, leaving no one behind.
Watch it here | Learn more here
11 June 2024, Bonn, Germany
Launch of the Thematic Reports by the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group
Four Thematic Reports were launched at the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body (SB60) in Bonn, Germany, during the side event "Seeking Synergies Across Rio Conventions and the SDGs: Unlocking Transformative Strategies for a Multi-Crisis World," by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. Highlighting how action to tackle climate change and the SDGs can be accelerated by addressing both crises together, notably in the key areas of policy frameworks, financial systems, knowledge and data, and cities. Expert Group co-leads, Mr. Luis Gomez-Echeverri, Ms. Heide Hackmann, together with another key member Mr. Kaveh Guilanpour, presented the reports on behalf of the Group. These reports lay the groundwork for the 2024 Global Synthesis Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, to be released in the high-level political forum on the 16th of July.
Thematic Reports | Web release | Climate and Synergy Expert group | Reports’ presentation by the Experts

22 May, online
Synergies Between Climate Action and SDGs: Implications for Multilateralism
The WSDS-Act4Earth Virtual Dialogue, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), delved into the critical topic of synergies between Climate Action and the SDGs. The dialogue aimed to explore how these synergies could be leveraged to align the targets set in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The dialogue also addressed the organizational insulation that has emerged between discussions on climate within different multilateral processes, such as COP and HLPF, and sought to identify ways to address this insulation for more effective outcomes. One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by a member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, who shared insights into the group’s ongoing work and provided a glimpse into the recommendations of the 2024 report.
10 May 2024, Incheon, Republic of Korea
2024 Executive Training Course for Policymakers on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2024 Executive Training Course for Policymakers on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which took place from 7-10 May 2024 in Incheon, Republic of Korea, gathered over 70 participants globally. This year’s focus was on aligning SDG planning with country NDCs to drive integrated policymaking for sustainable development and climate action. Hosted by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), the event aimed to enhance participants' capacities in sustainable development planning and policymaking. It featured presentations, discussions, and peer collaboration, guided by a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach. UN DESA presented on the Climate and SDG Synergy work, highlighting the importance of alignment and key findings from the first Global Report on this topic developed by the Expert Group. This event was particularly relevant for the 20+ attending countries, some of which will present their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at this year’s High-Level Political Forum.

4 - 5 March 2024, Tokyo, Japan
Expert Group Meeting on SDG 13: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Combating Climate Change
At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, it is found that no SDG 13 target is making significant progress, while the global emissions are on the trajectory of a steady rise. On 4 - 5 March 2024 the Expert Group Meeting on SDG 13 was co-convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC in Tokyo, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. The meeting served as a crucial step in delineating strategic and actionable recommendations to get SDG 13 back on track while ensuring co-benefits with other interlinked SDGs. Over 60 experts gathered to review progress and provide substantial contributions to the SDG 13 thematic review during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2024, shaping the global response to climate change and advancing sustainable, resilient solutions.
4 December 2023
Health as Entry Point for SDG / Climate Synergy: A Focus on Cities, Air Pollution and Justice
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - The session, organized by the University of Cambridge and UrbanBetter, explored with panelists the windows of opportunity for intersectoral policy making and advocacy at the health-SDG-climate interface. The expert panelists also explored how they perceive the link between implementation realities and what policies provide for; and how advocacy initiatives can support transformative ideas that seek to bridge this gap. Two data-driven presentations on the interlinkages between health and climate change set the scene for the open discussion. Here, participants contributed with a number of key examples of policies and advocacy approaches that they personally worked on, and which directly contribute to strengthening the synergistic implementation of climate and SDGs through the lens of health.
5 December 2023
Tackling climate and SDG action together. Call for Minister-level Working Group on Climate-SDG Synergy
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This event at the SDG Pavilion, hosted by the governments of Denmark and Rwanda, did a soft-launch for a High-Level Working Group with a clear purpose of addressing the topic of climate development synergies at the highest level. The Ministers represented, the Administrator of UNDP and Executive Secretary of UNFCCC called for a stronger political commitment to merge the climate and SDG agenda and maximize the impact. After the introduction to the Minister-level Working Group, a technical panel discussed the findings from first global report from the Independent Expert Group on Climate-SDG Synergies entitled “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis - Tackling Climate and SDGs Together”, and mapped the road ahead to maximize co-benefits of increased synergies between the two agendas.
Watch it here | See the agenda here
5 December 2023
The Global Climate 2011-2020: Accelerating Climate Change, Accelerating Action
[COP28, Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This side event, organized by the World Meteorologic Organization (WMO), launched the State of the Climate report, covering 2011-2020. This timely report is another important contribution to understanding long-term changes in the state of the climate. It offers many insights, particularly on extreme events, including attribution to anthropogenic climate change and connecting their impacts on development to the achievement of the SDGs. The first Expert Group report served as one of the key resources for the WMO report. The launch event served to bring greater awareness toward the need for enhanced mitigation and adaptation efforts, and to provide key insights on the importance of improved climate finance and synergistic action with the SDGs.
Watch it here | Learn more here
6 December 2023
Redefining Success: A Just and Equitable Transition through greater Climate Action and SDGs Synergies
[COP28, Official COP28 Side Event, Blue Zone] - The official UN system Side Event, co-hosted by the UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, alongside representatives from Japan, Denmark and Brazil, and non-state actors actively engaged in advancing the intersection of climate action and SDGs.
Watch it here | Summary | Concept Note
8 December 2023
Bridging Science, Policy, and Society: Tackling Climate and SDGs in Synergy
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] - Organized by UN DESA and UNFCCC secretariat, this event shed light on how to address the disconnect between the science-policy-society interface towards acceleration of synergic action on climate and the SDGs. Many countries face a number of barriers, including access to sound data, methodologies and tools that can help translate scientific findings into digestible and actionable polices. This was also one of key the findings of the recently published Expert Group Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, an overview of which was presented by the co-chair of the Expert Group at the event. Speakers shared insights and concrete examples at the national, regional, and local levels on challenges and opportunities in enhancing the interconnection between science-policy-society interface. Importance of inclusive processes that take into account participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including youth, civil society and the private sector was highlighted.

8 December 2023
Climate-Biodiversity-SDGs Synergistic actions in Asia-Pacific
[COP28, Japan Pavilion, Blue Zone] - This seminar, hosted at the Japan Pavilion by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), serves as a platform for expanding partnerships with like-minded nations and international organizations. The main focus of this gathering is to engage in substantive dialogues about policy measures that can be implemented to realize synergies and promote climate action, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development at the same time, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. Through this seminar, we aim to enhance our collective efforts in addressing global environmental challenges.
11 December 2023
The SDGs and the Global Stocktake: A Vision for Our Future
[COP28, SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone] The official UN system Side Event, co-hosted by the UN DESA and the UNFCCC secretariat, held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included members of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, alongside representatives from Japan, Denmark and Brazil, and non-state actors actively engaged in advancing the intersection of climate action and SDGs.
16 September 2023
Orchestrating Global Synergies for Climate Action and SDGs
[SDG Summit side event] Co-hosted by UNDESA and UNFCCC on 16 September as part of SDG Action Weekend provided an opportunity for a deeper conversation about how to build greater climate and SDG synergies following the launch of the expert group report. Representatives from the Governments of Denmark, Japan and Brazil offered their views, and several NGOs, academics and a youth climate activist stressed the need to address inequalities, climate justice, accountability and lack of finance. COP28 was seen as an important step ahead to integrate SDG indicators into the climate process.
Concept Note | Recording | Flyer
13 September 2023
Launch of the First Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy
The first global report titled “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis: Tackling Climate and SDG Action Together” was jointly launched by DESA and UNFCCC secretariat at the SDG Studio in New York. The report launch was presided over by Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General of UN DESA and Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, along with the co-leads and a member of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. The event was organized as a dynamic conversation with a professional moderator, offering online spectators a good understanding of the report’s scope, mission, and desired impacts.
Event Page | Recording | Flyer

16 July 2023
Fourth Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Fourth Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies was held at the United Nations on 16 July 2023, bringing together Ministers and high-level representatives from government, business and civil society, among over 400 in-person and nearly 4,000 virtual participants from 140 countries. Building the evidence base for win-win synergies that tackle both the climate emergency and the Sustainable Development Goals, participants shared experiences and viewpoints, and made recommendations for how to break down silos and advance integrated action. The Conference was co-convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as a special event of the 2023 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Event Page | Outcome Summary | Concept Note
12 June 2023
Accelerating Climate and SDG Synergies as an Enabler for Just Transition
[Bonn SB58 side event] Just Transition is all-encompassing and is aligned with the integrated approach to the implementation on climate and SDGs synergies. This event aimed to share developments and processes in which participants can contribute towards an increased understanding and scaling up of synergistic implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement goal. The event also served as an opportunity to shape key recommendations of the global assessment on climate and SDGs synergies, which scope is to inform key 2023 milestones such as the SDG Summit, the Climate Ambition Summit, the UNFCCC COP28 and its Regional Climate Weeks, to mainstream a coordinated climate and SDG action among their processes and outcomes.
Concept Note | Presentation | Recording
16 November 2022
Delivering in Synergy on Climate Action and the SDGs: A Pathway to Untapped Potential
[COP27 event] Building on evidence and lessons learned in the context of the Third Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies, the aim of this event was to strengthen support for coordinated implementation and determine context-specific key regional priorities and opportunities for synergistic action on the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
14 November 2022
Turning pledges into inclusive and equitable actions: Synergistic Implementation of Climate and the SDGs
[COP27 event] Lead experts from a variety of backgrounds explored how harnessing synergies across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement can at the same time help advance inclusive and just transitions. Speakers shared practical insights on incorporating a “climate and SDGs” lens into their areas of work, from science and policy to financing and delivery of development co-benefits, towards more equitable, fair, and resilient outcomes.

20-21 July 2022
Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Building on the outcomes of the first Climate and SDGs Synergy Conference in 2019 and the virtual consultations in 2020/2021, the joint UNDESA and UNFCCC Third Global Conference on Climate and SDGs Synergies, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, in partnership with the United Nations University (UNU) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), provided a unique opportunity to take stock of practical measures that are being implemented to advance climate and SDG synergies in regional, national and subnational efforts, including through COVID recovery plans and the NDCs. At the high-level segment of the Conference, Ministers, heads of UN organizations and agencies, business leaders, scientists and youth representatives emphasized the need for greater SDG and climate ambition. The need to urgently boost joint implementation and address gaps such as financing and capacity building was also recognized.
Concept Note | Conference Summary | Event Page

6 July 2021
Launch of E-Learning Course on Harnessing Climate & SDGs Synergies
The course builds on the 2019 Climate and SDG Synergies Conference and the 2020-2021 Synergies Learning Series, going into more depth to provide policymakers with tools and evidence they may use to advocate for climate and synergies in related intergovernmental fora as well as their local context.
Registration | Concept Note | Poster | Event Page
15 December 2020 – 2 February 2021
Virtual Learning Series: Harnessing Climate & SDGs Synergies to Raise Ambition in the Era of Paris+5 and Pandemic Recovery
Building on the Climate and SDG Synergies Conferences, this learning series provided stakeholders and practitioners with tools they can use to apply climate and SDG synergies in practice.
2 February 2021
Webinar 3: Overcoming Constraints to Implement Climate & SDG Synergies: capacity, financing and monitoring
Webinar 3 responded to the 'How' question, offering particpants tools and methods to address the re-occurring challenges of realizing climate & SDG synergies in practice.
19 January 2021
Webinar 2: How to Maximize Climate & SDG Synergies? Identifying Opportunities and Navigating Trade-offs
Webinar 2 responded to the 'What' question, introducing range of tools participants can use to identify opportunities to realize climate & SDG co-benefits; and navigate trade-offs.
15 December 2020
Webinar 1: Making the Case for Integrated Climate and SDG Action
Webinar 1 responded to the 'Why' question, providing participants with tools and evidence they can use to advocate for climate & SDG synergies.
25 May – 30 June 2020
Global Consultations on Climate & SDG Synergies for a Better and Stronger Recovery, 25 May – 30 June 2020
The Consultation aimed to advance the application of synergies in practice by collecting good practices that illustrate the potential of synergistic approaches to recover better & faster from Covid-19, accelerate enhanced climate action and transitions to sustainable development.
25 June 2020
Webinar 3: Going Forward with Climate & SDG Synergies for Covid-19 Recovery
Participants considered next steps to strengthen climate & SDG synergies in practice. Speakers propose ways to leverage intergovernmental processes on biodiversity, food, transport and oceans.
11 June 2020
Webinar 2: Synergies for Just Transitions & Economic Recovery
Diverse experts suggested policies and changes that can enable countries to realize “quick wins” for people & planet, while laying the ground for enduring climate, economic & SDG co-benefits.
28 May 2020
Webinar 1: Thinking ahead for a sustainable, just and resilient recovery
Thought leaders and practitioners shared lessons learned from integrated planning to date, and suggested ways to maximize climate & SDG synergies in recovery planning.

1-3 April 2019
First Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (informally the Climate & SDGs Synergy Conference) was organized by UN DESA and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate, Denmark. The first-ever global conference aimed to align the climate and SDG processes, and stimulate action from stakeholders at the global, regional and country levels to maximize co-benefits. Limiting global warming to 1.5 degree Celcius above pre-industrial levels, including through scaling up climate action towards both adaptation and mitigation, is an imperative critical to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The conference examined how best to advance joined-up efforts for both the SDGs and climate action at the global, regional and country levels, thus also helping to scale up levels of ambition towards these objectives.
Concept Note | Conference Summary | Event Page
SDG Pavilion at COP
The UNFCCC "Conference of the Parties" (COP) is a crucial component in the fight against climate change. It provides a platform for nations to come together and assess the progress made in addressing the issue, identify challenges and find solutions to overcome them. The COP meetings provide an opportunity for Parties to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiate binding agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The decisions made at the COP, including the setting of emissions reduction targets, financing mechanisms, and the implementation of various adaptation and mitigation measures, play a significant role in shaping global efforts to tackle the climate crisis. The annual meetings of the COP serve as a reminder of the urgency and importance of collective action on climate change, and their outcomes help to drive the necessary global action towards a more sustainable future.
UN DESA's engagement at the UNFCCC COP aims at contributing to the objectives of the conference and promoting the synergetic implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Through its annual SDG Pavilion, UN DESA brings together global experts and policymakers leading the implementation of climate action and the SDGs for discussions on how to accelerate action across both the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

More about the SDG Pavilion
Photo Gallery
More photos from the SDG Pavilion are available here.

SDG Pavilion at COP30

SDG Pavilion at COP30
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SDG Pavilion at COP30
SDG Pavilion at COP29

SDG Pavilion at COP29

SDG Pavilion at COP29

SDG Pavilion at COP28

SDG Pavilion at COP28

SDG Pavilion at COP28

SDG Pavilion at COP27

SDG Pavilion at COP27

SDG Pavilion at COP27

SDG Pavilion at COP26

SDG Pavilion at COP26

SDG Pavilion at COP25



















