Given infrastructure’s cross-cutting relevance to all of the SDGs, as well as the complex, networked properties of infrastructure systems themselves, an integrated approach to infrastructure planning and development is crucial. This approach considers the interlinkages between different infrastructure systems, sectors, project phases, locations, and aspects of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic), as well as, institutions and governance mechanisms that support multi-disciplinary cooperation and coordination across various policy levels (sub-national, national, international).

Resilient infrastructure is itself an SDG (Goal 9) interlinked with industrialization and innovation. Industry and innovation drive infrastructure development and consequently, economic growth. Resilient infrastructure is an essential foundation for achieving the socio-economic Sustainable Development Goals, including inclusive growth (Goal 8), addressing poverty (Goal 1), reducing hunger (Goal 2), good health and well-being (Goal 3), providing quality education (Goal 4), supplying clean water and sanitation (Goal 6). For example, access to energy is central for better education, as is access to clean water and sanitation for better health. These services are also critical for gender equality as it increases mobility, output and productivity of women, in particular.

The Dialogue is organized in collaboration with the UN Environment’s Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative.

This Nexus Dialogue aims to contribute to a common understanding on the centrality of infrastructure to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and foster support by both public and private stakeholders for the application of an integrated approach to the planning and development of infrastructure.