UN Goodwill Ambassador Shakira sings at a plenary meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York, September 25, 2015. A momentous sustainable development agenda, which charts a new era of sustainable development until 2030, was adopted on Friday at UN headquarters in New York. [Photo/Agencies]

A momentous sustainable development agenda, which charts a new era of sustainable development until 2030, was adopted on Friday by 193 UN member states at the UN Sustainable Development Summit at UN headquarters in New York.

"We have reached a defining moment in human history. The people of the world have asked us to shine a light on a future of promise and opportunity," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the opening ceremony of the summit.

"The true test of commitment to Agenda 2030 will be implementation. We need action form everyone, everywhere. Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our guide. They are a to-do list for people and planet and a blueprint for success," said Ban.

This ambitious agenda, comprising of 17 goals, will serve as the launch pad for action by the international community and by national governments to promote shared prosperity and well-being for all over the next 15 years.

Speaking to the media after the adoption of the agenda, Ban highlighted the inclusive process of setting the 17 goals, which cover a wide range of issues, including poverty, hunger, health services, education, gender equality and environmental protection, among others.

"The goals emerged from the most inclusive process in United Nations history. 193 countries. Thousands of non-governmental organizations and the private sector," he said, adding that "If we combine all the numbers it will be around 8.5 million people or organizations who have been surveyed on what kind of a world and what kind of a future they wanted to have."

"Today, United Nations Member States have committed to a visionary agenda for a life of dignity and prosperity for all on a healthy planet," he said. "Let us work together over the next 15 years to make their vision a reality for all people in all countries."

The summit, which runs from Sept 25-27, sees the gathering of over 150 world leaders in the year of 2015 which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.