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World Falling Behind on SDG
Context:
According to a new UN report, the world is significantly lagging in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2015.
More on News:
- These goals encompass a wide range of areas including poverty reduction, hunger eradication, and environmental protection, and were intended to be achieved by 2030.
- The report from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) painted a bleak picture of progress towards the SDGs, with none of the 17 goals on track to be met by 2030.
- Released just before the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024, the paper cautioned that a “business as usual” approach will not suffice and called for a major overhaul.
- It also made recommendations for United Nations 2.0 as a contribution to the upcoming summit.
Stagnant Progress and Uneven Distribution:
- Only 16% of SDG targets are progressing well, while the majority show limited progress or regression.
- Key areas of concern include zero hunger (SDG 2), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), life below water (SDG 14), life on land (SDG 15), and peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16).
- Specific setbacks highlighted include rising obesity rates, declining press freedom, and loss of biodiversity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting life expectancy (SDG 3).
Disparity Among Countries:
- Nordic countries lead in SDG achievement, while BRICS countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China, South Africa) show varying degrees of progress.
- Least developed nations are falling further behind, widening the gap with more developed countries since 2015.
Financial Challenges and Strategies:
- Reform of the global financial architecture is critical, with a focus on investing in public goods that transcend national borders.
- SDSN proposes strategies such as new institutions, innovative global taxation schemes, and prioritizing investments like quality education (SDG 4) to address financing shortfalls.
Multilateralism and Country Engagement:
- Introduction of a new index assessing countries’ support for UN-based multilateralism.
- Countries like Barbados rank high, while the United States ranks last, reflecting a disconnect from global cooperation efforts.
Challenges in Food and Land Systems (SDG 2):
- Persistent issues include hunger affecting 600 million people by 2030, rising obesity, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
- Urgent need for new approaches to bridge gaps in climate, biodiversity, and water quality targets, including FABLE pathways:
- Reduce overconsumption and animal-based protein.
- Invest in productivity enhancement.
- Implement inclusive and transparent monitoring systems to combat deforestation.
Call for Action:
- Urgent reform of the UN, addressing financing gaps, strengthening global cooperation, and implementing innovative solutions like FABLE pathways are crucial for achieving sustainable development goals.