War and funding shortfalls have hindered progress towards the United Nations’ key development goals, including efforts to combat climate change, warned Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday.
In 2015, UN member states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, which consist of 17 targets aimed at transforming the world by 2030, including the complete eradication of extreme poverty and the elimination of hunger.
But Guterres said Friday that “the world is getting a failing grade.”
“Our failure to secure peace, to confront climate change, and to boost international finance is undermining development,” he told a briefing in New York, unveiling the latest progress check on the targets.
“We must accelerate action for the sustainable development goals, and we don’t have a moment to lose — only 17 percent of the targets (are) on track.”
Efforts to devote money and attention to the goals have been repeatedly set back, including by the Covid-19 pandemic, the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, worsening climate catastrophes and sharp increases in the cost of living.
While countries were lagging on progress in many areas, there were glimmers of hope in the reduction of new HIV infections, growing internet access, and the “booming” use of renewables, Guterres said.
But “the denial of basic needs for so many is outrageous and inexcusable,” he said.
Guterres said action to bring peace to the major conflicts raging globally coupled with efforts towards a green transition were needed.
“It means multiplying the lending capacity of multilateral development banks to provide more resources for climate action and sustainable development,” he added.