The United Nations has reported that only 17% of its 169 targets aimed at improving global living conditions are likely to be met by the 2030 deadline.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his annual report, expressed concern that the world is “getting a failing grade” in achieving these goals, which range from eradicating global poverty to promoting gender equality. These goals, adopted by world leaders in 2015, include 169 specific targets to be achieved by the decade’s end.
According to the report, nearly half of the targets show minimal or moderate progress, while over one-third are stalled or regressing. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, pushing an additional 23 million people into extreme poverty and causing over 100 million more to suffer from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019.
Guterres highlighted that the failure to ensure peace, address climate change, and enhance international finance is undermining development. He also pointed out that for the first time this century, per-capita GDP growth in half of the world’s most vulnerable nations is slower than in advanced economies, further threatening improvements in equality.
The report noted significant setbacks in education, with only 58% of students worldwide achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school. Gender equality remains a distant goal, with one in five girls marrying before age 18, persistent violence against women, and a projected 176 years to reach parity with men in management positions.
Despite these challenges, the report offered some positive developments. Mobile broadband accessibility has increased to 95% of the global population, and renewable electricity capacity has been expanding at an unprecedented rate. Improved access to treatment has averted millions of AIDS-related deaths, new malaria vaccines could save many lives, and girls are achieving educational parity with boys in most regions.
Guterres called for urgent action to end conflicts, combat climate change, and invest in sustainable development. He emphasized the need to deliver resources, reduce debt pressures, and enhance the lending capacity of development banks to close the $4 trillion annual investment gap required to achieve the sustainable development goals.
“We must not let up on our promises—to end poverty, protect the planet, and leave no one behind,” Guterres urged.
Source: thestar.com
