Sustainable Development Goals Progress Slow

Summary:

The United Nations released the "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Progress Report 2025," marking the 10th annual assessment since the 2030 Agenda adoption. The report praises improvements in health, education, energy access, and digital connectivity, which have enhanced millions of lives globally. However, progress toward the 2030 targets is slow:

• Only 35% of the SDGs are on track with moderate progress.
• Nearly half of the goals are advancing very slowly.
• 18% of targets have regressed compared to original plans.

Key achievements include a 40% reduction in new HIV infections since 2010, significant malaria prevention efforts saving over 127 million lives since 2000, expanded social protection coverage to over half the global population, increased school enrollment by 110 million children since 2015, declines in child marriage, increased female parliamentary representation, and electricity access for 92% of the world by 2023. Internet use has also grown from 40% in 2015 to 68% in 2024, boosting education, jobs, and civic engagement. Conservation efforts have doubled, aiding biodiversity.

Despite these gains, serious challenges persist:

• Around 800 million people still live in extreme poverty.
• Billions lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• 2024 was the hottest year on record due to climate change.
• Conflict caused about 50,000 deaths and displaced 12 million people.
• Over 112 million live in inadequate housing or informal settlements.
• Official development assistance dropped by 7.1% in 2024 and may decline further in 2025.

The report calls for urgent action across six priority areas: food systems, energy access, digital transformation, education, employment, social protection, climate, and biodiversity. The next five years are critical for achieving the SDGs by 2030. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a "global development emergency," emphasizing that no country can tackle these interconnected challenges alone. The SDGs represent a shared commitment and responsibility for all humanity. Though progress is slow, immediate, unified, and determined efforts can still realize the goals. The report stresses that sustainable development is not optional but an essential duty to current and future generations.

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