This chapter will provide a global, integrated perspective on the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, it will explore the “system” defined by the SDGs. It will map the present system at the global level, locate the SDG targets in the system, and draw lessons for the next few years from an integrated analysis, including in terms of identifying and illustrating key action points and major inter-linkages that cannot be disregarded. It will also assess existing scenario models and related tools, in terms of their ability to support a truly integrated assessment of progress and transition pathways toward the SDGs in the coming decades.

Key questions to be addressed:

• What lessons can be learnt from integrated perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals?
• How strong are the inter-linkages between the subsystems associated with each of the goals and how does a map of the overall system look like?
• How well do existing assessment models and processes cover the main clusters and inter-linkages among goals? What are the gaps and how could they be overcome? What lessons for SDG implementation can be learnt from selected integrated scenario models?