Why is Complexity Science valuable for reaching the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda?

The goals and targets included in the 2030 Agenda compiled by the United Nations want to stimulate action in areas of critical importance for humanity and the Earth. These goals and targets regard everyone on Earth from both the health and economic and social perspectives. Reaching these goals means to deal with Complex Systems. Therefore, Complexity Science is undoubtedly valuable. However, it needs to extend its scope and focus on some specific objectives. This article proposes a development of Complexity Science that will bring benefits for achieving the United Nations' aims. It presents a list of the features shared by all the Complex Systems involved in the 2030 Agenda. It shows the reasons why there are certain limitations in the prediction of Complex Systems' behaviors. It highlights that such limitations raise ethical issues whenever new technologies interfere with the dynamics of Complex Systems, such as human beings and the environment. Finally, new methodological approaches and promising research lines to face Complexity Challenges included in the 2030 Agenda are put forward.

Automated summary

The goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda aim to stimulate action in critical areas for humanity and Earth, dealing with Complex Systems. Complexity Science is valuable but needs to focus on specific objectives. Limitations in predicting Complex Systems' behavior raise ethical issues, requiring new methodologies and research directions.