Global Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Salvage SDGs Amidst Pandemic and Economic Challenges
World leaders convened this week to address the urgent need to salvage the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and economic hardships. As the 2030 deadline approaches, only 15% of the targets established by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 are on track. This critical situation raises the stakes for the two-day SDG summit held in New York.
The summit was inaugurated with a somber tone, as political leaders acknowledged the alarming progress of the SDGs. John Gilroy, climate and sustainable development lead for the permanent mission of Ireland to the UN, emphasized the need to reflect on how far off track the world currently is. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also addressed the gathering, urging world leaders to take action together in order to prevail in achieving the SDGs.
To regain lost momentum, Guterres called for wealthy nations to provide at least $500 billion per year in additional funding to help achieve the goals by 2030. In response, leaders are expected to make new interim commitments this week, including benchmarks to reduce inequality and poverty by 2027.
A recent assessment by the UN revealed that nearly half of the targets in the 17 SDGs are moderately or severely behind schedule. The political declaration released prior to the summit expressed deep concern over the perilous state of the SDGs and the rising levels of hunger and malnutrition.
Furthermore, the UN’s research in collaboration with 95 developing nations found that 72 countries reported an increase in planet-heating emissions since 2019, while only one in five successfully reduced poverty levels. These setbacks highlight the challenges in achieving key goals such as combating climate change, expanding access to clean water, and addressing gender inequality.
Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), attributed the setbacks to the unforeseen impact of the pandemic and economic pressures, which have hindered countries’ ability to borrow and sent interest rates soaring. These challenges have propelled many nations towards a recovery-oriented growth trajectory, focusing primarily on jobs and incomes while exacerbating inequality.
The effects of climate change also pose significant obstacles to achieving the SDGs. Rising temperatures and more frequent storms intensify hunger and hinder access to healthcare and clean water, as highlighted by research from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Climate change is deeply intertwined with social justice issues, with droughts in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America impacting food production and exacerbating human tragedies such as famine and conflicts.
While some progress has been made, the setbacks of recent years have left millions of children in extreme poverty, as reported by Unicef and the World Bank. Millions of children worldwide continue to live in extreme poverty, falling short of the trajectory needed to eradicate extreme poverty for all by 2030.
The goal of promoting gender equality has also faced significant challenges, with contentious discussions surrounding issues such as reproductive rights. The absence of references to reproductive rights in the political declaration further highlights the complexity of these discussions.
In light of the stagnant progress and even regression in some areas, the SDG summit takes on critical importance. It serves as a platform for world leaders to address the pressing need for action and collective efforts to ensure the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. With hope still remaining, the world stands at the halfway point, necessitating immediate action to safeguard the future of all.
