Progress toward the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set in 2015, is faltering—only 17% of targets are on track, with many stalled or regressing. A key barrier is systemic fragmentation, where siloed policies, competing priorities, and uncoordinated efforts hinder effective progress. This disjointed approach leads to inefficiencies, conflicting outcomes, and missed opportunities for synergy.
The cost of inaction is steep: the World Bank estimates $2.4 trillion annually is needed just to address global crises in developing nations, while the UN projects $5–7 trillion per year to meet the SDGs globally. Regulatory complexity further complicates international collaboration.
To address these challenges, a new AI-powered platform called SustainChain has been launched by the Global Coalition on Sustainability in collaboration with the UN. With support from partners like AE4RIA, SustainChain acts as a digital matchmaking hub, connecting businesses, scientists, policymakers, and others to align fragmented initiatives into a cohesive, collaborative ecosystem.
By centralizing data and facilitating partnerships, SustainChain helps dismantle silos and foster “collective intelligence”—a crucial element for accelerating sustainable development as the 2030 deadline approaches.
Authors: Mariangela Chatzigiannakou, Jacqueline Corbelli & Prof. Koundouri
Editors: Vicky Markolefas & Giuseppe Francaviglia
Published on: June 24, 2025
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Published by: 360info
Originally published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 by 360info™.
This article is part of the Science-Policy Briefs series, produced through the collaboration between the Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aeiphoria (AE4RIA), an alliance of prestigious research and innovation institutions, and 360info, a not-for-profit wire service delivering free, research-based, solutions-focused journalism by experts. The series aims to translate cutting-edge scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for policymakers and the wider public, supporting evidence-informed decision-making on key sustainable development challenges.
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