Sustainable Development Goals

1. No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance.

UNCITRAL’s work on electronic identity management and trust services supports access to formal financial services and participation in the digital economy by enabling reliable digital identification and secure electronic transactions. Its work on MSME access to credit, secured transactions and trade finance also expands access to credit, for example by enabling movable assets, goods in transit and stored goods to be used as collateral, particularly benefiting underserved groups and small businesses. Complementing these efforts, UNCITRAL’s insolvency framework promotes timely and effective responses to financial distress, including the restructuring of viable enterprises. By helping debtors preserve productive assets, maintain access to economic opportunities and, where appropriate, obtain a fresh start, the framework supports continued participation in economic life and enhances access to economic resources and financial services, particularly for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and individual entrepreneurs.

See also targets 2.3, 8.3, 9.1 and 16.9.

Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions.

UNCITRAL standards help create transparent and predictable legal environments that support trade, investment and economic activity. By reducing legal barriers, strengthening legal certainty and increasing confidence in commercial relations, UNCITRAL contributes to mobilizing both public and private resources for sustainable development. In particular, its texts on public procurement and public-private partnerships support the efficient use of public resources and facilitate the mobilization of private investment for infrastructure and public services.

See also targets 10.b, 17.1, 17.3 and 17.5.

2. Zero Hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

UNCITRAL’s work on warehouse receipts supports food security and sustainable agriculture by enabling agricultural goods to be securely stored, traded and used as collateral. It facilitates the creation of an enabling legal environment that improves farmers’ access to credit, reduces post-harvest losses, strengthens agricultural value chains and helps producers avoid distress sales after harvest.

See also target 12.3.

4. Quality Education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

UNCITRAL contributes to skills development and lifelong learning through technical assistance, judicial and professional training, online courses, educational resources and outreach activities. Its openly accessible standards, guidance materials and training tools help policymakers, judges, legal practitioners, businesses, academics and students develop knowledge and skills relevant to entrepreneurship, international trade, dispute resolution, digital trade, public procurement and commercial law reform.

UNCITRAL also engages with youth and young professionals through targeted educational initiatives, including UNCITRAL Days organized at universities and academic institutions worldwide, which promote awareness of international trade law and related career opportunities.

5. Gender Equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws.

Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

UNCITRAL standards are gender neutral. They support inclusive and transparent legal frameworks for commercial activity. Some standards may nevertheless be of particular relevance to the promotion of gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and girls. For example, UNCITRAL’s work on digital trade, MSME development, secured transactions, trade finance and dispute resolution may help reduce legal and practical barriers faced by women and girls in accessing finance, markets, education and justice.

More specifically, UNCITRAL’s work on secured transactions and trade finance can expand access to credit through the use of movable assets as collateral, benefiting women entrepreneurs and producers who may have limited access to land and other traditional forms of collateral. UNCITRAL’s work also facilitates the establishment and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), many of which are owned or operated by women, by reducing legal and practical obstacles they often face in accessing business opportunities. UNCITRAL’s work on mediation is also of particular relevance. By providing a flexible, confidential, accessible and cost-effective alternative to litigation and arbitration, mediation can help address practical, social and cultural barriers that women entrepreneurs may face in enforcing their commercial rights and resolving commercial disputes, while preserving the commercial relationship.

See also targets 2.3, 8.3 and 9.1.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Target 7.b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support.

Energy infrastructure projects are frequently implemented through public-private partnerships. UNCITRAL’s work in this area supports transparent, efficient and predictable legal frameworks for the responsible planning, procurement, implementation and management of such projects. By promoting legal certainty, accountability and effective risk allocation, these frameworks help create conditions conducive to investment in sustainable energy infrastructure. This, in turn, can support the expansion of access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

See also target 9.a.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

UNCITRAL contributes to inclusive economic growth through its work on, among others, reducing the legal obstacles faced by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) throughout their life cycle, in particular in developing economies, including in the context of business formalization, secured transactions and insolvency. These standards help reduce barriers to business formalization, improve access to affordable credit and support businesses during financial distress providing them timely and effective debt resolution mechanisms and fresh start and fight stigma and stigmatization. UNCITRAL’s work on electronic commerce and digital trade also supports MSME participation in cross-border commerce.

See also targets 5.a, 5.c, 8.10 and 9.3.

Target 8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all

Inclusive and equitable finance is at the heart of UNCITRAL’s work in the area of secured transactions. In many countries, secured financing laws are outdated or poorly coordinated with related areas of law, such as insolvency, civil procedure and intellectual property law. As a result, affordable secured credit is often unavailable or limited to borrowers able to provide traditional forms of collateral, such as real estate. UNCITRAL’s work on secured transactions promotes modern legal frameworks that expand access to affordable credit by enabling a wider range of movable assets to be used as collateral.

Its work on negotiable cargo documents and warehouse receipts is also of relevance as it facilitates access to trade finance.

See also targets 1.4, 5.a, 5.c, 8.3 and 9.3.

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

UNCITRAL’s transport law texts and work on negotiable cargo documents support trade connectivity and the efficiency of transport and logistics systems by facilitating multimodal transport and the seamless movement of goods across borders. They also support the digitalization of trade and access to trade finance by facilitating the legal recognition and use of modern transport and logistics documentation in both paper and electronic form and enabling goods in transit to be traded or used as collateral regardless of the mode of transport. These frameworks can be particularly beneficial for landlocked developing countries and small businesses seeking to participate in regional and global supply chains. They are therefore also relevant to efforts to increase access to financial services for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) (see targets 1.4, 5.a, 5.c and 8.3), promote trade-related development and integration into international markets (targets 8.a, 9.3 and 17.11), and strengthen the role of trade and digitalization in sustainable development (targets 8.2 and 17.8).

In addition, UNCITRAL’s texts on public-private partnerships (PPPs) support the development, financing and management of infrastructure and public services by providing legal frameworks that promote transparency, fairness, efficiency and long-term sustainability in PPP projects.

See also target 1.a.

Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets

UNCITRAL’s work on, among others, secured transactions, insolvency law, commercial dispute resolution, electronic commerce and MSME development supports access to finance, legal certainty, (re)integration into economic activities and participation in domestic and international markets. Its work on negotiable cargo documents and warehouse receipts also supports trade finance and integration into global value chains.

See also targets 1.4, 8.3, 8.10 and 9.1.

Target 9.a: Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.

UNCITRAL’s work on public-private partnerships provides internationally recognized legal standards that support transparent and predictable infrastructure development processes. By providing fair and competitive procedures and effective dispute settlement mechanisms, they assist States in attracting investment and financing for infrastructure projects. In addition, UNCITRAL’s work on negotiable cargo documents supports the efficient operation and resilience of increasingly interconnected transport, trade and logistics infrastructure by enabling the secure, efficient and digital movement of goods across borders. By facilitating connectivity, reducing transaction costs and supporting the digitalization of trade processes, it helps maximize the benefits of infrastructure investments and is particularly relevant for landlocked developing countries and least developed countries that depend on reliable transport and logistics systems to access regional and global markets.

See also targets 7.b and 17.5.

Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for industrial diversification and value addition to commodities.

UNCITRAL texts help States establish predictable legal frameworks that foster innovation, investment and digital transformation. In particular, they support the adoption, legal recognition and reliable use of digital technologies in commercial activity, trade and public administration. UNCITRAL’s work on electronic commerce and digital trade, electronic identity management and trust services, and automated and data provision contracting enhances legal certainty for digital transactions and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and other automated systems, thereby facilitating innovation and participation in the digital economy.

UNCITRAL’s standards on public procurement support innovation-friendly procurement systems by enabling public authorities to promote the development of, and procure, innovative technologies and digital solutions through transparent, competitive and efficient procedures. Its work on cloud computing contracts and technology-related dispute resolution further assists businesses and public institutions in addressing the legal and other challenges arising from the development and use of rapidly evolving technologies.

See also target 9.a.

10. Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

UNCITRAL promotes transparent and inclusive legal frameworks that support equal participation in economic activity. For example, its standards on access to finance and MSME development help reduce barriers faced by small businesses and underserved borrowers.

The General Assembly has emphasized the relevance of UNCITRAL standards to “generating inclusive, sustainable and equitable development, economic growth and employment, generating investment and facilitating entrepreneurship”, to “peace, stability and the wellbeing of all peoples”, to “universal economic cooperation among all States on a basis of equality, equity, common interest and respect for the rule of law” and to “advancing good governance, sustained economic development and the eradication of poverty and hunger”. It has encouraged States to use UNCITRAL standards in implementing commercial law reform. UNCITRAL, through its secretariat, assists States in understanding, using, enacting, interpreting and applying its standards.

See also targets 8.3 and 16.b for discussion of related issues.

Target 10.6: Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions.

The General Assembly and UNCITRAL have repeatedly emphasized the importance of ensuring broader representation of developing countries in the progressive development and harmonization of international trade law, including through the participation of persons with recognized expertise in the field of international trade law in the work of UNCITRAL. Such participation contributes not only to the development of internationally accepted legal standards, but also to the strengthening of local expertise and institutional capacity needed to create enabling legal environments for business, trade and investment. To support this objective, a trust fund was established to provide travel assistance to representatives of developing country members of UNCITRAL participating in sessions of the Commission and its working groups.

UNCITRAL also promotes the effective participation of developing countries in international economic governance through the technical assistance, capacity-building and outreach activities of its secretariat.

In addition, UNCITRAL’s work on investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) reform includes the establishment of an Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution, a key element of the reform process aimed at strengthening the capacity of developing countries and least developed countries to participate effectively in international investment dispute settlement proceedings. The importance of these efforts was recognized in the Sevilla Commitment adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, in which States expressed support for the reform of investor-State dispute settlement mechanisms, including through the establishment of an advisory centre building on the ongoing work of UNCITRAL.

See also target 16.8.

Target 10.b: Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes.

UNCITRAL standards support transparent procurement, accountable institutions and predictable commercial environments, all of which contribute to strengthening confidence among investors and development partners necessary for the flow of official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment. In addition, UNCITRAL’s work on the reform of investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) seeks to enhance the fairness, consistency, efficiency and transparency of the resolution of investment disputes, thereby contributing to a more stable and predictable investment climate.

See also targets 1.a, 17.1, 17.3 and 17.5.

Target 10.c: By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent.

UNCITRAL’s work on electronic identity management and trust services supports reliable digital identification and secure electronic transactions, helping reduce compliance, verification and operational costs associated with remittance services. By facilitating trusted and interoperable digital transactions, this work may contribute to more accessible, affordable and efficient remittance services.

See also targets 1.4, 16.4 and 16.9.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

UNCITRAL’s work on warehouse receipts contributes to reducing food losses along agricultural production and supply chains, particularly in the post-harvest phase. By enabling legal frameworks for the secure storage, management and financing of agricultural commodities, it helps preserve the quality and value of stored goods while facilitating access to credit. These frameworks can promote more efficient supply chains, reduce waste, enhance market stability and strengthen food security.

See also target 2.3.

Target 12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

UNCITRAL’s work on public procurement provides legal frameworks that promote transparency, competition, efficiency, fairness and accountability in procurement processes, while supporting the sustainability and resilience of procurement outcomes. Its standards facilitate the digitalization of procurement processes, including the use of electronic government procurement systems, which can enhance transparency, accessibility and efficiency while reducing administrative burdens and resource consumption. They also support the procurement of innovative and digital solutions that can contribute to broader sustainability objectives.

In addition, UNCITRAL procurement standards encourage the use of lifecycle costing and other tools that take into account long-term value and risks associated with poor performance, disruptions and unforeseen events. They enable States to pursue broader sustainable development objectives, including environmental sustainability, innovation and the inclusion of disadvantaged groups, in accordance with national priorities and international obligations, while preserving the core principles of public procurement systems, namely economy, efficiency, transparency, fairness and objectivity.

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

UNCITRAL’s work is relevant to multiple dimensions of the rule of law. Its standards in areas such as public procurement, public-private partnerships and investor-State dispute settlement incorporate safeguards against abuses, thereby promoting integrity, accountability and public confidence in legal and economic institutions. UNCITRAL texts on expedited asset tracing and recovery in insolvency proceedings strengthen the rule of law by helping States improve mechanisms to identify, preserve and recover assets, including across borders, for the benefit of creditors and other affected persons such as employees. UNCITRAL standards in other areas, including those relating to registries, similarly promote rule of law in legal and administrative practices. Some other texts touch upon indicators of commercial fraud, helping identify and mitigate risks of fraudulent conduct, asset concealment and other abuses, thereby strengthening the resilience of businesses, particularly individual entrepreneurs and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to such risks. By reducing risks associated with fraud and asset dissipation, they also enhance creditor confidence, rule of law and good governance and support more reliable access to credit and financial services.

The General Assembly has recognized that the rule of law extends beyond matters traditionally associated with criminal law and transitional justice to encompass stable, rules-based commercial relations and effective legal institutions. UNCITRAL contributes to these objectives by developing modern and harmonized legal frameworks for international trade that promote legal certainty, transparency, due process and access to justice, while helping to create conditions conducive to sustainable development and economic stability.

UNCITRAL’s work is also directly relevant to access to justice in commercial matters. Its dispute resolution texts address a broad range of issues, including access to remedies, the effectiveness and integrity of dispute resolution processes, and standards of conduct for adjudicators. UNCITRAL has developed instruments aimed at improving the efficiency, accessibility, transparency and digitalization of commercial dispute resolution, including expedited arbitration, mediation, dispute prevention mechanisms and technology-related dispute resolution tools. Its mediation framework, centred on the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (Singapore Convention on Mediation), promotes accessible and cost-effective dispute resolution, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) (see, for example, targets 5.a and 5.c).

UNCITRAL’s work on investor-State dispute settlement reform further seeks to enhance transparency, integrity, efficiency, inclusiveness and access to justice in the resolution of international investment disputes (see target 10.6). In addition, its texts on electronic communications and electronic arbitral awards support the efficiency and digitalization of arbitral proceedings.

See also targets 16.4 and 16.5.

Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

UNCITRAL’s work across areas such as insolvency, secured transactions, transparency, electronic commerce and public procurement contributes to stronger legal and institutional frameworks aimed at reducing opportunities for fraud, corruption and illicit financial flows. In particular, its work on expedited asset tracing and recovery in insolvency supports efforts to identify, preserve and recover assets that have been concealed, dissipated or improperly transferred, including across borders. By strengthening transparency, legal certainty and cooperation in commercial and insolvency proceedings, UNCITRAL’s work contributes to broader efforts to combat economic crime and promote integrity in financial and commercial systems.

See also target 16.3 and 16.5.

Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

UNCITRAL standards support transparent, reliable and rules-based commercial and administrative processes that help reduce opportunities for corruption and bribery. For example, UNCITRAL’s work on public procurement promotes transparent, objective and competitive procurement procedures and incorporates safeguards designed to enhance integrity and accountability and to prevent corruption and bribery. Its work on electronic commerce and digital processes likewise supports greater transparency, traceability and accountability in commercial transactions and public administration.

UNCITRAL’s transparency standards in the field of investor-State dispute settlement — notably the UNCITRAL Rules on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration and the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration (Mauritius Convention on Transparency) — further promote openness, accountability and public access to information in investment dispute proceedings. UNCITRAL texts in this area also include Codes of Conduct for Arbitrators and Judges, which establish high standards of independence, impartiality and ethical conduct in adjudicative processes.

See also targets 16.3 and 16.4.

Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

UNCITRAL standards, in particular in areas of electronic commerce, digital trade, dispute settlement, public procurement, public-private partnerships, registries and insolvency, contribute to the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. For example, its work on simplified business organizations includes consideration of beneficial ownership transparency, while its standards on public-private partnerships incorporate transparency safeguards intended to support accountable infrastructure governance and investment processes.

In addition, UNCITRAL supports development of effective institutions through its non-legislative activities, including: technical assistance to Governments to implement commercial law reforms on the basis of UNCITRAL texts; judicial capacity-building and the CLOUT system aimed at promoting the uniform interpretation and application of UNCITRAL standards; and training sessions for other professionals to increase their awareness and understanding of legal frameworks based on UNCITRAL texts. Measures aimed at supporting those activities, including contributions to the trust funds, remain important.

Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

UNCITRAL provides a forum in which States and other stakeholders participate in the development and modernization of international trade law. Active participation by governmental and non-governmental stakeholders from developing countries in the work of UNCITRAL can contribute to strengthening local expertise and institutional capacity in international commercial law and commercial law reform. Such participation also facilitates the exchange of experiences and best practices among participants from diverse legal, professional and geographical backgrounds and supports broader engagement of developing countries in international economic governance processes. Measures aimed at facilitating the representation and participation of experts from developing countries in the work of UNCITRAL therefore remain important (see target 10.6).

UNCITRAL’s work on the establishment of an Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution further supports the capacity of developing countries and least developed countries to participate effectively in international investment dispute settlement processes.

Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.

Legal identity is increasingly important for participation in the digital economy and access to financial, commercial and public services. Reliable identification is also fundamental to electronic commerce, where transactions are often concluded between parties without prior personal interaction. UNCITRAL addresses these issues by providing a model legislative framework for the use and cross-border recognition of electronic identities and trust services.

By supporting reliable digital identification, trusted electronic data exchanges and interoperability across jurisdictions, such a framework contributes to legal certainty in digital trade and electronic transactions and may support broader efforts to facilitate access to legal identity and participation in the digital economy.

See also targets 1.4 and 10.c.

Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

UNCITRAL promotes public access to information through standards relating to transparency, registries and public decision-making processes. Its texts on security interests and business registries, public procurement, public-private partnerships and treaty-based investor-State dispute settlement support the availability, accessibility and reliability of information relevant to commercial activity and public governance.

In particular, the UNCITRAL Rules on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration, the Mauritius Convention on Transparency and UNCITRAL’s broader work on investor-State dispute settlement reform promote openness, transparency and public confidence in international investment dispute resolution. UNCITRAL’s standards on public procurement and public-private partnerships likewise enhance transparency, accountability and integrity in public contracting and infrastructure governance.

Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

Internationally recognized standards elaborated by UNCITRAL support transparent, predictable and inclusive legal frameworks for commercial activity and international trade. By promoting equal treatment, legal certainty, fairness and access to commercial opportunities and dispute resolution mechanisms, these standards help reduce legal and practical barriers to participation in economic life.

The enactment and effective implementation of legal frameworks based on internationally recognized standards prepared by UNCITRAL can support non-discriminatory, transparent and rules-based commercial systems that foster sustainable development, economic inclusion and broader participation in domestic and international markets.

See also target 10.3.

17. Partnership for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development finance

Finance

Target 17.1: Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection.

Effective domestic resource mobilization depends on a legal environment that enables economic activity to take place within transparent and predictable frameworks. UNCITRAL contributes to this objective by promoting modern and harmonized commercial law standards that facilitate business creation, investment, access to finance and participation in the formal economy.

In particular, UNCITRAL’s texts on simplified business registration and limited liability enterprises support the formalization of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by reducing legal and administrative barriers to entry into the formal economy. By enabling businesses to operate within legal and regulatory frameworks, these texts can help broaden the tax base and strengthen domestic resource mobilization through increased compliance with tax and other revenue obligations.

UNCITRAL’s work in areas such as electronic commerce, secured transactions and insolvency further supports domestic resource mobilization by fostering transparent and efficient commercial systems, facilitating access to finance, and promoting the timely restructuring of viable enterprises. Its texts on public procurement contribute to the effective management of public resources by promoting transparency, competition and integrity in the expenditure of public funds. Collectively, these standards help strengthen the institutional and legal foundations that support sustainable economic activity and the generation of public revenues.

See also targets 1.a, 10.b, 17.3 and 17.5.

Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.

A modern and harmonized commercial law framework is an important foundation for rule-based commercial relations, international trade and investment. UNCITRAL standards reflect internationally recognized best practices and provide States with models and guidance for commercial law reform, helping improve the quality, consistency and predictability of legal frameworks at lower cost.

By promoting legal certainty, reducing transaction costs and strengthening confidence in domestic and cross-border business environments, UNCITRAL standards help States create conditions conducive to mobilizing financial resources from multiple sources, including foreign investors, donors and the domestic private sector.

See also targets 1.a, 9.1, 9.a, 10.b, 17.1 and 17.5.

Target 17.5: Adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries.

A transparent, predictable and effective legal and regulatory environment is an important factor in attracting and sustaining investment. UNCITRAL standards assist States in establishing such an environment by providing modern, internationally accepted and harmonized commercial law frameworks. These frameworks enhance legal certainty, facilitate commercial activity and strengthen confidence among domestic and foreign investors by supporting the recognition, protection and enforcement of commercial rights and obligations. In doing so, they help ensure that investment-related risks and disputes can be managed in a fair, predictable and effective manner.

UNCITRAL’s work on the reform of investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS), including the establishment of an Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution, is particularly relevant to least developed countries as it supports their effective participation in investment dispute proceedings and strengthens their capacity to prevent and manage investment disputes. These efforts contribute to the adoption and implementation of investment promotion regimes and to a more stable and predictable investment environment.

See also targets 1.a, 10.b, 17.1 and 17.3.

Capacity-building

Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the sustainable development goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.

In many States, policymaking and legislative frameworks have not always kept pace with developments in international trade, finance and technology. Even where modern commercial laws exist, their effectiveness may be limited without sufficient local capacity for their interpretation, implementation and application. Sustained capacity-building is therefore essential to enable States to benefit fully from rule-based commercial relations and international trade.

UNCITRAL supports these objectives through technical cooperation, legislative assistance, judicial training, online educational tools and practical guidance aimed at facilitating the understanding, enactment, interpretation and use of internationally recognized commercial law standards prepared by UNCITRAL, particularly in developing countries and economies in transition. UNCITRAL has also developed practical guidance on the relevance and use of its standards in emergency situations and other major disruptions affecting trade, investment and economic activity. Such guidance supports legal preparedness, institutional resilience and recovery efforts by assisting States in identifying legal tools that may help maintain commercial activity, facilitate access to justice and finance, and support effective public administration during and after crises.

Participation of local experts in regional and international policy-making and rule-formulation processes such as UNCITRAL also contributes to strengthening institutional capacity, local expertise and long-term commercial law reform efforts.

See also targets 10.6 and 16.8 and the Guidance Note on Strengthening United Nations Support to States, Upon Their Request, to Implement Sound Commercial Law Reforms.

Systemic issues — Policy and institutional coherence

Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.

UNCITRAL contributes to policy coherence for sustainable development by supporting the development of modern, internationally consistent legal frameworks for commercial activity and international trade. Its standards help States align legal and institutional reforms across a range of areas relevant to sustainable development, including trade, investment, digitalization, infrastructure, insolvency, dispute resolution and access to finance.

Through its legislative texts, guidance materials, technical assistance and capacity-building activities, UNCITRAL also supports coordinated approaches to reform and helps strengthen national expertise and institutional capacity for the development, implementation and effective application of commercial law frameworks.

See also target 17.9.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships

Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.

Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

UNCITRAL contributes to these targets through its engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including Governments, United Nations entities, other international and regional organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, civil society organizations and the private sector, in support of commercial law reform and sustainable development.

Through its technical assistance, capacity-building and outreach activities, UNCITRAL facilitates the sharing of knowledge and expertise, supports the implementation of internationally accepted commercial law standards prepared by UNCITRAL and helps strengthen national expertise and institutional capacity, particularly in developing countries. Joint activities with a broad range of stakeholders in turn support the development and assessment of UNCITRAL standards by drawing on diverse expertise and practical experience. They also facilitate research, policy dialogue and the exchange of good practices, helping to ensure that commercial law frameworks remain responsive to evolving business, technological and societal needs. Activities implemented with United Nations regional coordinator offices and country teams as well as with other development partners also help integrate commercial law reform into broader sustainable development efforts at the national and regional levels.

Measures aimed at supporting those activities, including contributions to the trust funds and regional presence, remain important.

See also targets 10.6 and 17.9 as well as the Guidance Note on Strengthening United Nations Support to States, Upon Their Request, to Implement Sound Commercial Law Reforms.