The IPI has been examining the interplay between intellectual property (IP) and sustainability. The Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda have environmental, economic and social dimensions.

Due to these various dimensions, the goals touch on IP in several ways:

• IPI measures in the area of intellectual property and sustainable development
• Genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore
• Food and agricultural topics
• Other topics relating to sustainable development

The 2030 Agenda is being implemented at various levels:

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) agreed on the 2030 Agenda, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These globally applicable goals form the world’s reference framework for sustainable development until 2030.

On 23 June 2021, the Federal Council adopted a national 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy (2030 SDS) for Switzerland together with an associated action plan. All federal agencies are required to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the 2030 SDS within the scope of their responsibilities and to integrate the stipulated principles and goals into their regular planning, budgeting and policy management processes.

On 18 May 2022, the Federal Council adopted the 2022–2026 strategic objectives for the IPI (in German, French and Italian). These objectives refer directly to the SDGs:

Objective 13 reads: “The Federal Council expects the IPI to contribute to the realisation of the 2030 Agenda by identifying areas of sustainable development on which it has a significant influence and defining goals based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”

Objective 13 is part of the Federal Council’s measures to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy (2030 SDS) and the associated action plan.