UN officials seek investment, connectivity to boost Sustainable Development Goals – EnviroNews

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United Nations (UN) officials on Thursday, September 3, 2026, called for increased investment in resilient infrastructure, stronger cross-sector partnerships and greater regional connectivity to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, said the SDGs were “far off course” from being achieved, requiring urgent action from governments, businesses and other stakeholders.

Ojiambo said only 36 per cent of SDG targets were making moderate progress, while 15 per cent were in decline.

She made the remarks while addressing the Second Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment in Singapore.

She said companies worldwide were facing infrastructure challenges worsened by climate change, technological disruption, shifting supply chains, resource constraints and increased scrutiny from investors and consumers.

“The majority of the SDG targets rely on infrastructure investment,” Ojiambo said.

She urged companies to see development challenges as investment opportunities and called for stronger partnerships across sectors and industries.

Ojiambo welcomed growing cooperation among companies and partners from China, Singapore, Indonesia and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

“It is particularly encouraging to see growing cooperation among companies and partners from China, Singapore, Indonesia and across the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.

She said such connections were helping to build smarter infrastructure while strengthening trust, knowledge and shared prosperity.