By Michelle Nichols.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations 193-member states agreed on Sunday on an agenda for the world’s sustainable development over the next 15 years that pledges to leave no-one behind and is now due to be formally adopted by world leaders at a summit in September.

After two weeks of final negotiations and several all-night sessions, the sustainable development agenda of 17 goals and a declaration that covers implementation and review were agreed by consensus to replace eight Millennium Development Goals.

There was a standing ovation and cheering by diplomats when the agenda was agreed. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Chef de Cabinet Susana Malcorra described the agreement as “historic” but warned that the work ahead is immense.