UN Chief Calls on Countries to Recommit to Achieving SDGs by 2030

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that over half the world is being left behind at the midpoint for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In his address at the launch of a special edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) progress report, he noted that many developing countries cannot invest in the SDGs because of burdensome debt, while climate finance is far below commitments. He continued: "Richer nations have not yet delivered on the $100 billion promised annually in support."

The UN Chief also warned that their collective promise made in 2015 of a more green, just and equitable global future, is in peril.

"The report shows that just 12 per cent of the 169 SDG targets are on track, while progress on 50 per cent is weak and insufficient. Worst of all is the fact that progress has either stalled or even reversed on more than 30 percent of the goals," Guterres pointed out.

The 17 SDGs are in a sorry state due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating “triple crisis” of climate, biodiversity and pollution, amplified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the UN.

Thus, the number of people living in extreme poverty is higher than it was four years ago. Hunger has also increased and is now back at 2005 levels, and gender equality is some 300 years away. Other fallouts include record-high inequality and rising greenhouse gas emissions.