A representative of President Donald Trump’s administration has officially rejected the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, citing concerns over U.S. sovereignty and national interests.
The 2030 Agenda, adopted by all 193 U.N. member states, includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing global challenges such as poverty, gender equality, climate change, clean water access, quality education, and economic growth.
The UN website outlines the 17 sustainability goals as follows:
- Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
- Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
- Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
- Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
- Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
- Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
- Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
- Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
- Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
The Trump administration now formally “rejects and denounces” the initiative, emphasizing that the U.S. will not be bound by international policies that undermine its autonomy.
Minister-counselor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Edward Heartney, commented on the 2030 Agenda, calling it “a program of soft global governance that is inconsistent with U.S. sovereignty and adverse to the rights and interests of Americans.”
The rejection aligns with President Trump’s America First policies, which prioritize national interests over multilateral agreements. The administration has previously withdrawn from various global initiatives, including the Paris Climate Agreement, citing concerns about economic burdens and loss of American independence in policymaking.
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric responded by reaffirming that the SDGs were unanimously approved by member states and remain a core component of the U.N.’s mission. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to advancing global peace, prosperity, and dignity for all.
The Trump administration’s stance signals continued resistance to international frameworks that impose external governance on U.S. policy. While proponents argue the SDGs address critical global challenges, critics warn they could lead to increased regulation and economic constraints that conflict with national priorities.
