The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines 17 goals and 169 targets aimed at transforming the world in four key areas: economic prosperity, social equity, environmental sustainability, and good governance. Adopted by all 193 UN member states, the SDGs offer a clear blueprint for global progress and foster collaboration between public and private stakeholders toward a more sustainable future.
Insurance, through social protection programs and private sector solutions, is crucial for advancing the SDGs. It provides financial protection and resilience to individuals, families, communities, and businesses during adversity. Insurance and the 2030 Agenda are closely aligned in principle; Insurance operates on the idea that many contribute so that a few can be supported in times of need, whether due to illness, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events. This mirrors the core commitment of the SDGs to "Leave No One Behind," ensuring that even the most vulnerable are protected and supported.
Social protection programs, funded by government tax policies, help mitigate economic shocks by covering risks such as unemployment, illness, disability, and old age. These programs reduce poverty and vulnerability, enabling individuals to invest in their well-being. Private insurance complements these efforts by covering additional risks that governments often cannot, filling crucial gaps and enhancing financial resilience. Together, these systems significantly contribute to social sustainability and the achievement of the SDGs.
This course, led by industry experts, UN representatives, and academics, will explore the intersection of private sector solutions and the SDGs, highlighting the pivotal role insurance plays in advancing the global agenda. While acknowledging that insurance is not a "cure-all" for the world’s challenges, the course will showcase how private insurance can contribute meaningfully to specific goals and targets. Through data-driven insights and real-world examples, participants will learn how the insurance industry is innovating and scaling impactful solutions, including public-private partnerships, with a particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations and regions in the Global South. The course will offer a deeper understanding of how insurance can drive progress toward the SDG’s, fostering resilience and sustainability in an increasingly interconnected world.
This course was created by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Better Insurance Network (BIN), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and is hosted by the SDG Academy.
The course is accompanied by the position paper Insurance and Sustainable Development: Partnering on Risk, Resilience, and Transformation.
