Ban Ki-moon hails SDGs agreed by 193 nations as 'leaving no one behind'

UN member states finally assent to plan for sustainable development goals that wins praise for pledge on poverty despite scepticism over implementation

After tense negotiations, 193 countries have agreed the next set of development goals, which will seek to end poverty, achieve gender equality and ensure food security in every corner of the globe by 2030.

"This is the people's agenda, a plan of action for ending poverty in all its dimensions, irreversibly, everywhere, and leaving no one behind," said Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, after the targets were agreed on Sunday.