The UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York is shedding light on the global progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030. Despite ambitious targets aimed at enhancing economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection, recent global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have severely hindered progress.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has highlighted that only 15 percent of the 140 SDG targets are on track, with half of them being moderately or severely off course. Alarmingly, extreme poverty and food and water insecurity have risen for the first time in a generation, as reported in the 2023 SDG report.
In this challenging landscape, European countries are leading the charge, making the most significant strides in achieving the SDGs. The United States, however, has slipped to the 39th position, criticized for its minimal support for the 2030 Agenda and failure to submit a Voluntary National Review. This lack of engagement has resulted in a low Spillover Score, indicating limited assistance to other nations in their SDG efforts.
China, the world's second-largest economy, holds the 63rd spot out of 166 countries in SDG progress. Notably, China has made exceptional advancements in poverty eradication and education, improving on eight of the SDGs while only regressing on one. This mixed performance underscores China's pivotal role in the global pursuit of sustainable development.
As leaders reconvene to address these issues, China's ongoing efforts and the broader international response will be crucial in determining whether the world can still meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
