New York: With only five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress is notably uneven and dangerously off track in several areas, as highlighted at the opening of the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council. The gathering was marked by concerns over shrinking national budgets, rising nationalism, and trade-disrupting tariffs.
According to EMM, the segment, which includes a three-day ministerial meeting of the High-level Political Forum, is focused on advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bob Rae, President of the 54-member Council, emphasized the importance of doubling down on global solidarity and obligations to one another, recalling the collective adoption of the 2030 Agenda just a decade ago.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored recent global achievements, citing the Pandemic Agreement in Geneva, commitments to marine protection at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, and a new vision for global finance agreed upon in Sevilla. These examples demonstrate the potential of united global efforts. However, Guterres also stressed the urgent need for humanitarian action and peace in conflict zones like Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, while calling for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
The current status of the SDGs is concerning, with only 35% of targets on track or making moderate progress. Additionally, nearly half are progressing too slowly, and 18% are regressing. The global economy’s slowdown, rising trade tensions, and increasing inequalities further exacerbate the situation, as noted by Guterres. Aid budgets are diminishing while military spending increases, and women and girls face systemic barriers. Guterres called for embedding long-term thinking into decision-making processes.
Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session, emphasized the importance of cooperation and shared commitment in transforming aspirations into actions. He highlighted the need for science and evidence-based solutions, harnessing data, deploying new technologies, and drawing on local knowledge. Voluntary national reviews were praised for reinforcing the collective commitment to the 2030 Agenda and providing insights into implementation efforts across regions and sectors.
Youth representative Carolina Rojas articulated the demand for systemic reform rather than mere inclusion, emphasizing the need for formal, well-resourced youth leadership in UN processes. Rojas highlighted the necessity for full inclusion of migrant youth in workforce plans and urged investment in gender equality, unpaid care work, public services, and healthcare access. She also stressed the importance of long-term funding for grassroots and youth-led initiatives.
Government leaders outlined their country’s progress and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda during discussions. Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo noted the country’s leading position in SDG implementation but acknowledged the need for continued effort. Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja shared her government’s localized approach to SDGs, while a Vice Minister from the Philippines stressed ASEAN’s commitment to sustainable growth and multilateralism.
Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammed Ali Tamim, speaking for the Group of 77 and China, emphasized the UN’s 80th anniversary as an opportunity to reassess its global role. He highlighted the impact of the global economic slowdown on job creation in the Global South and advocated for development as a right.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed aligning national strategies with the SDGs, focusing on youth, climate action, and macroeconomic reforms. He called for meaningful debt relief to address financing gaps.
Representatives from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Indonesia, Nepal, and others highlighted the importance of sustainable ocean management, health, and the vulnerability of least developed countries. They emphasized the need for international partnerships, increased financing, and regional economic integration to achieve the SDGs.
Justice was also identified as a key factor in development, with the Dominican Republic’s Vice Minister Luis Madera stressing the economic cost of not investing in justice, which drives poverty and inequality. Madera urged for increased investment in justice to foster social cohesion and trust in institutions.