Introduction 

1. We, the Heads of State and Government and High Representatives, gathered in Addis Ababa from 13 to 16 July 2015, affirm our strong political commitment to address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity. Wereaffirm and build on the 2002 Monterrey Consensus 1 and the 2008 Doha Declaration.

2 Our goal is to end poverty and hunger and to achieve sustainable We reaffirm the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international instruments relating to human rights and international law. We emphasize the responsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability or other status.

3 We resolve, between now and 2030, to end poverty and hunger everywhere; to combat inequalities within and among countries; to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; to protect human rights and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources. We resolve also to create conditions for sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and decent work for all, taking into account different levels of national development and capacities.

4. As we embark on this great collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind. Recognizing that the dignity of the human person is fundamental, we wish to see the Goals and targets met for all nations and peoples and for all segments of society. And we will endeavour to reach the furthest behind first.

5. This is an Agenda of unprecedented scope and significance. It is accepted by all countries and is applicable to all, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. These are universal goals and targets which involve the entire world, developed and developing countries alike. They are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development.

6. The Goals and targets are the result of over two years of intensive public consultation and engagement with civil society and other stakeholders around the world, which paid particular attention to the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable. This consultation included valuable work done by the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and by the United Nations, whose Secretary-General provided a synthesis report in December 2014.

 Our vision

7. In these Goals and targets, we are setting out a supremely ambitious and transformational vision. We envisage a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. A world with universal literacy. A world with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured. A world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious. A world where human habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.

Our shared principles and commitments

8. We envisage a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equalityand non-discrimination; of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permittingthe full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity. A world which invests in its childrenand in which every child grows up free from violence and exploitation. A world in which every woman and girlenjoys full gender equality and all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed.A just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met.

9. We envisage a world in which every country enjoys sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth anddecent work for all. A world in which consumption and production patterns and use of all natural resources –from air to land, from rivers, lakes and aquifers to oceans and seas - are sustainable. One in which democracy,good governance and the rule of law as well as an enabling environment at national and international levels, areessential for sustainable development, including sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development,environmental protection and the eradication of poverty and hunger. One in which development and theapplication of technology are climate-sensitive, respect biodiversity and are resilient. One in which humanitylives in harmony with nature and in which wildlife and other living species are protected.

10. The new Agenda is guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including fullrespect for international law. It is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international humanrights treaties, the Millennium Declaration and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. It is informed byother instruments such as the Declaration on the Right to Development.

11. We reaffirm the outcomes of all major UN conferences and summits which have laid a solid foundation forsustainable development and have helped to shape the new Agenda. These include the Rio Declaration onEnvironment and Development; the World Summit on Sustainable Development; the World Summit for SocialDevelopment; the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, theBeijing Platform for Action; and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (“Rio+ 20”). Wealso reaffirm the follow-up to these conferences, including the outcomes of the Fourth United Nations Conferenceon the Least Developed Countries, the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States; theSecond United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries; and the Third UN World Conferenceon Disaster Risk Reduction.

12. We reaffirm all the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, as set out in principle 7 thereof.

13. The challenges and commitments contained in these major conferences and summits are interrelated and call for integrated solutions. To address them effectively, a new approach is needed. Sustainable development recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, combatting inequality within and among countries,preserving the planet, creating sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and fostering social inclusionare linked to each other and are interdependent.

20. Realizing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will make a crucial contribution to progressacross all the Goals and targets. The achievement of full human potential and of sustainable development is notpossible if one half of humanity continues to be denied its full human rights and opportunities. Women and girls