About Us

The link between achieving sustainable development and the principles of good governance is widely accepted across UN bodies, member states and stakeholders.

The Rio + 20 outcome Declaration “The Future We Want” in paragraph 10, stated that to achieve sustainable development goals, we need institutions at all levels that are effective, transparent, accountable and democratic.

The Report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda further examined and elaborated on the statements of the Rio +20 Declaration, stating:

We are calling for a fundamental shift to recognize peace and good governance as core elements of well-being, not optional extras. This is a universal agenda, for all countries. Responsive and legitimate institutions should encourage the rule of law, property rights, freedom of speech and the media, open political choice, access to justice, accountable government and public institutions. … These are ends as well as means.

These were incorporated in Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals and have been further elaborated as indicators.

The Friends of Governance for Sustainable Development (the Group) was originally set up in 2011 to enable Member State discussions around the Rio+20 agenda. The main objective of the Group is to create an informal space for governments to have early discussions on key multilateral issues. The workshops are backed up by expert presentations and papers.

The Group is chaired by the governments of Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea and Romania. Since 2019, it has hosted a series of three workshops each year and published six books based on the presentations.

The link between achieving sustainable development and the principle of good governance is widely accepted among UN bodies, Member States and stakeholders. Governance plays a crucial role in creating the conditions to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. From creating new institutions to reforming old ones, the process must live up to this standard and its mechanisms should be geared towards fostering a more effective international environment and level of cooperation for sustainable development.

The Friends of Governance for Sustainable Development is supported by the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainable Solutions Service (RMWSSS) at Arizona State University and the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future, with the latter acting as secretariat.