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UN warns of lack of progress towards SDGs

24 July 2023

The United Nations have published a special edition its SDGs report 2023, warning a lack of progress towards achieving the SDGs.

UN warns of lack of progress towards SDGs

Published in the lead-up to the UN’s annual SDG Summit in September, the UN The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition provides a powerful call to action to achieve the SDGs based on data and estimates from the last 12 months. 

The 17 SDGs are the core of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, they provide a framework for the world’s ongoing economic growth, while protecting the environment and addressing social inequalities.

Highlighting the existing lack of progress and urging the world to redouble its efforts, the report also emphasises the immense potential for success through strong political will and the utilisation of available technologies, resources, and knowledge. 

“Despite its gloomy outlook, it argues that by working together, the global community can reignite progress towards achieving the SDGs and create a brighter future for all,” says Simon Knowles, UCL’s Head of Coordination (SDGs). “Universities like UCL need to play their part by continuing work in collaboration with academic, community and industry partners across the globe.”
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, said: “Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.”

According to the report, the impacts of the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, a weak global economy, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; have revealed weaknesses and hindered progress towards the Goals.
 
The report further warns that while lack of progress is universal, it is the world’s poorest and most vulnerable who are experiencing the worst effects of these unprecedented global challenges. It also points out areas that need urgent action to rescue the SDGs and deliver meaningful progress for people and the planet by 2030.

The report follows The UN Global Compact Network UK’s Measuring Up 2.0 report, which included major contributions from researchers from UCL Institute of Innovation & Public Purpose. This report assessed the UK’s progress towards achieving the SDGs. 

Read the full report here.