What are the core aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

• A. The SDGs are an economic-growth-only framework to 2030.
• B. The SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.
• C. The SDGs focus on military alliances and defense spending.
• D. The SDGs seek to reduce international aid to developing nations.

Answer: (B)

The SDGs represent a universal, integrated development agenda that combines social, economic, and environmental aims, with a clear target to be reached by 2030. They’re not about growth alone; they seek to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by addressing a wide range of interconnected goals—from eradicating poverty and improving health and education to protecting ecosystems, combating climate change, promoting gender equality, and building resilient institutions. This holistic framing is what makes the stated aim the best fit: it captures the breadth of the SDGs and the time-bound, universal push for shared progress. The other options don’t fit because the SDGs are not limited to economic growth, not about military alliances or defense, and do not advocate reducing international aid; instead, achieving them requires cooperation, investment, and inclusive policy.