Paris – September 28, 2026 -- ISO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched ISO/UNDP 53001, the world's first International Standard providing organizations with a requirements-based management system to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into strategy, governance and operations.
Standard debuts at ISO Annual Meeting to close implementation gap on SDGs
The standard was unveiled on the opening day of the ISO Annual Meeting in Paris, marking a shift from voluntary SDG commitments to a structured, auditable framework. ISO/UNDP 53001 gives organizations tools to identify priorities, set objectives, embed them into existing processes and measure performance over time, offering a consistent basis to demonstrate compliance and strengthen accountability.
ISO Secretary-General says organizations need concrete tools to act on the SDGs
ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica said the standard extends ISO's established approach of providing a common language for complex global challenges to the SDG agenda, helping organizations convert a decade-old shared vision into measurable action.
UNDP frames the standard as critical to accelerating the 2030 Agenda
Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, said achieving the SDGs depends on organizations of every kind embedding sustainability into daily decision-making, governance and leadership.
Danish Standards CEO cites broad international consensus behind the framework
Jens Heiede, Chief Executive Officer of Danish Standards, said developing the standard required extensive collaboration among experts worldwide to build a practical, internationally agreed set of requirements applicable across sectors, sizes and geographies.
UNDP named ISO as its international standards development partner for the initiative, combining UNDP's sustainable development expertise with ISO's global standardization system and network of national standards bodies. ISO/UNDP 53001 is designed to remain relevant beyond 2030, supporting any global goals framework that succeeds the current SDGs.