UN Secretary-General's Guidance Note on Behavioural Science

In many areas, the delivery of the UN’s mandates is linked to changing human behaviour. Behavioural science refers to an evidence-based understanding of how people actually behave, make decisions and respond to programmes, policies, and incentives. It enables us to diagnose barriers preventing people from adopting a certain behaviour, understand enablers that help people achieve their aims, and design more impactful interventions. In the UN System, interventions leveraging behavioural science are already being piloted and applied. The Secretary-General’s Guidance urges all colleagues to explore and apply behavioural science in programmatic and administrative areas and work together in an interagency way to realise its tremendous potential for impact towards the SDGs.