Global Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and infrastructure

Investments in infrastructure – transport, irrigation, energy and information and communication technology – are crucial to achieving sustainable development and empowering communities in many countries. It has long been recognized that growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education outcomes require investment in infrastructure. Sustainable and inclusive industrial developments are the primary way to earn income.

global goal icon

global goal icon

In short

  • We must build a flexible infrastructure and promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and innovation   
  • Locally we can strengthen our infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation

 

Global Goal

global goal icon
Resilient infrastructure, inclusive industrialisation and innovation

Such developments ensure a rapid and sustainable increase in living standards and offer technological solutions for environmentally friendly industrialisation. Technological progress is the foundation of efforts to achieve environmental objectives, such as increased resource and energy-efficiency. Without technology and innovation, industrialisation will not happen, and without industrialisation, development will not occur.  

Resilient infrastructure

Infrastructure includes freight transport, passenger transport, roads and waterways, air traffic, coastal management, irrigation, energy and information and communication technology. Resilient infrastructure is essential for making improvements in education, healthcare and water supply. For example, schools are much less accessible for children or students from remote villages when roads and transport are lacking. This fundamental infrastructure is missing in many developing countries, resulting in higher barriers for getting a job, doing business, receiving information and getting food. Resilient infrastructure makes it easier to achieve other SDGs and improves the overall quality of life.

Technological advancements

Technological advancements are needed to achieve Global Goal 9 and to achieve goals regarding climate and sustainable energy. Therefore, industrialisation and innovation are important factors within this Global Goal. Development will not come about without industrialisation and industrialisation will not happen without technology and innovation. In addition to being sustainable and inclusive, infrastructure must also be accessible and affordable to all in 2030. 

Sustainable and inclusive industrialisation should create jobs and thereby increase the gross national or regional product. In 2020, the least developed countries must have internet access. At the same time, the industrial sector must do more research into advanced technologies such as Industry 4.0.

 

In short:

  • invest in infrastructure;
  • sustainable industrial development;
  • generate a source of income;
  • raise living standards;
  • strengthen communities;
  • increase productivity;
  • improve healthcare and education;
  • promote technological advancements and innovation;
  • achieve environmental goals