UN: Pace of Sustainable Development Goals achievement is insufficient

A decade after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, the world is falling short of its Sustainable Development Goals, according to a new United Nations report. While measurable progress has been achieved, with billions gaining better access to essential services like clean water, electricity, and healthcare, the UN warns that the pace is not fast enough and progress is uneven.

The report highlights successes, such as nearly a billion people gaining access to safe drinking water and 1.2 billion acquiring adequate sanitation. The number of new HIV infections dropped by 30% between 2015 and 2024, and AIDS-related deaths fell by 35%. Electricity now reaches 92% of the global population, and internet access has surged from 40% to 74%. Social protection systems also now cover over half the world's population.

However, the report paints a stark picture of the challenges ahead. Of the 139 sub-targets with available data, only 36% are on track or progressing satisfactorily. Nearly half (49%) are advancing too slowly, and 15% have actually regressed since 2015. Ten percent of humanity still lives in extreme poverty, about 2.3 billion people lack access to sufficient food, and over 150 million children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition. Maternal mortality remains nearly three times the Agenda 2030 target, and no gender equality goal is currently on track. Furthermore, the number of people affected by climate disasters has more than doubled since 2015, with progress further hampered by wars and climate change.

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Guided by the data in this report, achieving the vision of Agenda 2030 is still possible. With a collective, decisive final push, we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a healthier and more prosperous future for all.