The world is faced with challenges in all three dimensions of sustainable development—economic, social and environmental. More than 1 billion people are still living in extreme poverty and income inequality within and among many countries has been rising; at the same time, unsustainable consumption and production patterns have resulted in huge economic and social costs and may endanger life on the planet. Achieving sustainable development will require global actions to deliver on the legitimate aspiration towards further economic and social progress, requiring growth and employment, and at the same time strengthening environmental protection. Sustainable development will need to be inclusive and take special care of the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Strategies need to be ambitious, actionoriented and collaborative, and to adapt to different levels of development.