In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), which had been set up in 1983, published a report entitled «Our common future». The document came to be known as the «Brundtland Report» after the Commission’s chairwoman, Gro Harlem Brundtland.

It developed guiding principles for sustainable development as it is generally understood today:

«Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.»

The Millennium Development Goals were eight international development goals for the year 2015 that had been established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millenium Declaration. All 191 member states at that time, and at least 22 international organizations, committed to help achieve the following Millennium Development Goals by 2015:

In September 2015, the UN General Assembly and 193 world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the new Agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all.