In September 2015, 193 member States of the United Nations met in New York to adopt 17 new Global Goals for Sustainable Development to make our world more prosperous, inclusive, sustainable and resilient. The Global Goals are an ambitious plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. They are universal, applying to all nations and people, seeking to tackle inequality and leave nobody behind. The ambition is to end extreme poverty and hunger by 2030.

KPMG has been helping to shape the Global Goals with others in business and community organizations and convening and speaking at several side events of the four related UN Summits: The World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (Sendai, March), The Conference on Financing for Development (Addis Ababa, July), The Summit to Adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (New York, September) and the Conference on Climate Change (Paris, December).

• Ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact (‘UNGC’) in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption;
• Sustainable Development Goal Business Manifesto, joining with 20 other companies to articulate private sector willingness to help deliver sustainable development;
• Zero Hunger Declaration, promoting corporate strategies that will result in zero stunted children less than two years old, 100% access to adequate food all year round, sustainable food systems, 100% increase in smallholder productivity and income, and zero loss or waste of food.   

KPMG’s Global Development Initiative applies member firms skills, resources and influence in pursuit of the Global Goals (read Our Global Development Initiative Story for more information. KPMG people contribute to all of the 17 Global Goals through their client work. Our corporate citizenship programs particularly focus on Goal 4 ‘Quality Education’, Goal 8 ‘Good Jobs and Economic Growth’ and Goal 12 ‘Responsible Consumption’. KPMG is developing thought leadership and tools to inspire and equip companies to increase their contribution to sustainable development. These include the:

• Sustainable Development Goal Industry Matrix: KPMG together with the UNGC is developing seven industry matrices which provide industry specific practical examples and ideas for action for each Global Goal. They profile opportunities which companies expect to create value for shareholders as well as for society;
• Boardroom Questions on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development: A two page summary for Boards of what is happening, the implications and suggested questions for Boards to consider;
• Unlocking the Power of Partnership: A Framework for Effective Cross-Sector Collaboration: A publication providing insights on effective, transformative partnerships to deliver the Global Goals (released late September 2015);
• 'Demystifying the Public Private Partnership Paradigm: The nexus between insurance, sustainability and growth': A publication launched at the inaugural UN Insurance Summit in New York.