Many members of civil society felt that the Rio+20 final outcome document was a disappointment, but many also believed that the call to establish sustainable development goals (SDGs) creates an important and potentially transformative opportunity to positively shape the global human development agenda. As the UN System Task Team on the Post-2015 Development Agenda reported to the Secretary-General earlier this year, ‘Continuation along previously trodden economic growth pathways will exacerbate inequalities, social tensions and pressures on the world’s resources…There is therefore an urgent need…for new development pathways.’ The proposed SDGs are regarded by many as the best vehicle for responding to that pressing need.
