Conclusion: SDG18-Communication for All—Neither Too Late, Nor Too Early

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide the most ambitious framework to address global development challenges. Yet, the framers of the 2030 Agenda missed the opportunity to add a dedicated goal to communication which has both independent and cross-cutting roles in the entire SDGs. This chapter argues that the United Nations must review the SDGs and include SDG18—Communication for all—if the SDGs are to achieve the desired results. The chapter provides current and real-life examples on how communication has transformed our society with real impact in media and communication, education, health, climate change, and so on. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the importance of communication as an important pillar because of how communication tools and instruments helped in containing the pandemic and helped the global economy to survive. Examples have been provided on the role communication can play on each of the SDGs. The chapter recommends building a coalition of SDG18 champions and convening a major stakeholder conference that will help in setting the process to include SDG18—Communication for all—when the United Nations review the 2030 Agenda for Development.