Goal 9

Ageing, degraded or non-existent infrastructure makes leading life hard and conducting good business challenging. Business relies on materials, resources, labour and service support from all corners of the world and the ability to access them efficiently is key to establishing new markets and households. However, the basic infrastructure supporting technologies, communications, transportation, and sanitation that living relies on is not universally available, hindering economic growth and societal progress. Investments in transport, irrigation, energy and information and communications technology have been crucial to driving economic growth and empowering communities in many countries. The job multiplication effect of industrialization has a positive impact on society, as every one job in manufacturing creates 2.2 jobs in other sectors. The manufacturing sector is an important employer, accounting for around 470 million jobs worldwide in 2009 – or around 16% of the world’s workforce of 2.9 billion. It has long been recognised that a strong physical network of industry and communication can enhance productivity and incomes, and improve health, wellbeing and education. Technological progress similarly enhances our wellbeing as countries, and can also improve the state of the planet through increased resource and energy efficiency.
Through SDG 9, countries have determined that investing in more resilient infrastructure, cooperating across borders, and encouraging small enterprises will all be critical to ensuring sustainable industrial development. We will also have to improve our existing industrial infrastructure, and here, technological innovation will be key. Governments and businesses will have to contribute to creating a hospitable policy environment for innovation, encourage scientific research, and improve access to information technology universally.