ISO’s most important resource is its member organizations and their networks of experts. To support them effectively, ISO invests heavily in strengthening skills at both human and organizational levels through comprehensive training and technical assistance programmes.
These capacity building efforts are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By helping members maximize the benefits of international standardization and ensuring broad uptake of ISO standards, ISO contributes to economic, environmental, and societal progress worldwide.
The active participation of ISO members in the international standardization process enhances the global relevance and impact of ISO standards, thus supporting ISO’s vision of making lives easier, safer, and better.
ISO and the UN SDGs
Through its capacity building programs, ISO supports members, especially in developing countries, to leverage international standardization to meet the SDGs. This involves addressing economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and social dimensions by spreading the benefits of standards as widely as possible.
Capacity building activities
ISO delivers technical assistance under its Action Plan for developing countries. This includes tailored programmes aimed at helping members optimize the use of ISO standards to fully engage in global trade and sustainable development. These efforts are coordinated with donors, international organizations, regional standardization bodies, and ISO members involved in development assistance.
Additionally, ISO offers training courses covering a broad range of topics related to the international standardization process. These courses are designed to enhance the abilities of technical committee chairs, managers, working group convenors, and their support staff to participate effectively in standards development.
By continuously investing in capacity building, ISO empowers its members to play an active role in international standardization, contributing to sustainable development goals and fostering global cooperation through standards.
.