HLPF Issue Briefs 5: From silos to integrated policy making

Achieving effective integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development goes beyond merely “aggregating” independently formulated policies across the different domains. It entails taking into account inter-linkages among different areas of policy at the formulation stage. Integration implies that policy-making in any one area takes into account the effects of (and on) policies and outcomes in other sectors and areas. This will help ensure that policy is mutually coherent across the full range of dimensions, and that the effects of policy in one area do not contradict or undermine desired outcomes in others. This also enables to incorporate in sectoral policy-making cross-cutting dimensions that are crucial to achieving sustainable development, such as sustainable consumption and production.