Contributions of Unidroit to sustainable development

This chapter will examine Unidroit’s work in relation to sustainable development and, more specifically, the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The chapter will begin in section 1 with a brief deconstruction of the concept of ‘sustainable development’ and an overview of the SDGs. Section 2 will consider access to credit, as specifically targeted in SDGs 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 10, and will examine the relevance and application of Unidroit work products towards these targets (i.e., security interests, factoring, leasing, warehouse receipts finance). Section 3 will consider access to land and market opportunities for small-scale food producers, as specifically outlined in SDG Target 2.3, and will examine Unidroit’s recent work on agricultural land investment contracts and contract farming (mention will also be made of the Unidroit instruments on international commercial contracts as foundational to the aforementioned instruments). Section 4 will consider protection of cultural heritage, as outlined in SDG Target 11.4, and will review Unidroit’s 1995 Convention and 2012 Model Legislative Provisions on Cultural Objects. Section 5 will consider the broader goal of SDG 16 to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies and will examine the work of Unidroit more widely in relation to Target 16.3 to promote the rule of law and Target 16.8 to strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance. The chapter will conclude with some reflections on possible future areas of work.