Written by Rebecca Hiscott

 

On April 26 2023, the UN held a press conference to report on the progress of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, initially established in 2015. The findings and further recommendations were delivered by Navid Hanif, Assistant Secretary, and Astra Bonini, Senior Sustainable Development Officer. As shown below, in 2015, the UN formulated 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a ‘shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet’.

 

The recent progress report shows positive progress was achieved in child mortality and poverty reduction, as well as expanded access to electricity, among others. On the other hand, Hanif warned that progress was ‘too slow’ on the implementation of the SDGs. With a rough total of 140 targets from 2015, data shows only around 12% are on track to be reached by 2030. Close to 50% are moderately or severely off track, while 30% have seen no movement or severely regressed below the 2015 baseline. Hanif emphasised the severity of the problems with further statistical predictions that 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030. He noted the longevity of the problem by explaining that it will take 286 years to close the gender gap. A worrisome further prediction was that 84 million children will be out of education. Together the Assistant Secretary said these were ‘disturbing trends’ exacerbated not only by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also an increase in wars and conflict in 2022 and 2023.

Support for the acceleration of the agenda was encouraged and emphasised by Hanif and Bonini, strengthening calls for governments to co-operate nationally and internationally to meet the ambitious targets for 2030. More specific solutions called for stronger digital infrastructure for further improvement before the UN development action for the 2024 Summit. The report further offers 49 specific policy actions in three areas that can support SDG breakthroughs with governance and infrastructure, policy, local governments and investing in research on SDGs. In summary, the report reaffirmed the commitment of the UN to the 17 SDGs, while reminding governments of their accountability to their implementation, and aspirations for an improvement on the ‘grim’ situation reported in th conference.

References
Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report – Press Conference | UN Web TV [Press conference]
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org)