U.N.'s annual Sustainable Development Report

Source: Reuters

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Context

• The UN's Sustainable Development Report indicates that no SDGs are on track to be met by 2030, with most showing limited or reversed progress.
• Major contributing factors include funding shortfalls, geopolitical tensions and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details

Key Points

• Global progress on the 17 SDGs is significantly off track, with no goal on course to be met by 2030.
• Major issues include poverty, hunger, sustainable cities and biodiversity protection.
• The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and chronic funding shortfalls have exacerbated the slow progress.
• Developing countries need better access to international finance and supportive credit rating systems.
• The report calls for a revamp of the UN system to better address these challenges.

• Poverty and Hunger
  • Persistent challenges in eradicating poverty and reducing hunger globally.
  • Poorest countries have fallen further behind in progress.
• Biodiversity Protection
  • Insufficient measures to protect biodiversity on land and in water.
  • Reversal of progress in protecting ecosystems.
• Sustainable Cities
  • Challenges in creating sustainable urban environments.
  • Issues include inadequate infrastructure and increasing urban populations.
• Political and Social Goals
  • Reversal of progress in areas such as press freedom.
  • Impact of geopolitical tensions and military conflicts.

Factors Affecting Progress

• Funding Shortfalls
  • Chronic lack of funding for sustainable development initiatives.
  • Need for increased international financial support, especially for developing countries.
• Geopolitical Tensions
  • Military conflicts and political instability hinder sustainable development.
  • Cooperation among nations through UN institutions is crucial but lacking.
• COVID-19 Pandemic
  • The pandemic has caused significant setbacks in achieving SDGs.
  • Impact on health, economy, and social systems globally.

Recommendations and Solutions

• International Finance and Credit Rating Agencies
  • Developing countries need better access to international finance.
  • Credit rating agencies should consider long-term environmental and economic wellbeing in their assessments.
• Revamping the UN System
  • Call for a reform of the UN system to better address global challenges.
  • Increased emphasis on global cooperation and effective governance.
• Enhanced Global Cooperation
  • Countries need to collaborate more effectively through UN institutions.
  • The United States ranked last in willingness to cooperate globally, highlighting a need for greater international engagement.

Country-Specific Observations

• Top Performers
  • Finland, Sweden and Denmark lead in SDG performance.
  • China has shown faster than average progress among major economies.
• Lagging Countries
  • The poorest countries are lagging significantly in progress.
  • Need for targeted support and interventions to bridge the gap.

Sources:

Reuters