In this month's edition of Goal of the Month, we delve into the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on its socioeconomic dimensions. As we are past the midway point towards the 2030 deadline, it is evident that urgent action is required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The recent World Economic Situation and Prospects report for mid-2023 paints a concerning picture, projecting global economic growth at 2.3 percent, below the pre-COVID-19 average of 3.1 percent. With the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the SDGs Report 2023: Special Edition, taking center stage this month, let's examine some key figures and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The Status Quo: A Tumultuous Journey
According to the UN Secretary-General's 2023 SDGs Report: Special Edition, the progress towards the SDGs is hanging in the balance. While about 12 percent of the targets are on track, a substantial number – more than half – are moderately or severely off track, while approximately 30 percent have regressed below the 2015 baseline or seen no movement at all. These figures sound alarmingly demanding immediate action to steer the SDGs back on course.
The Shadows of Poverty and Hunger
The most haunting challenge is the persistence of extreme poverty. If we don't act swiftly, an estimated 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030. Despite significant strides in poverty reduction, about 9.2% of the world's population (approximately 689 million people) lived in extreme poverty in 2021, surviving on less than $1.90 per day. The SDG to halve national poverty levels seems achievable for only about one-third of countries. According to the World Bank, as of 2021, only 42% of low-income countries are on track to meet the SDG target of halving national poverty rates by 2030.
Additionally, hunger levels are back to the grim state last observed in 2005, with food prices remaining high in many countries compared to the period from 2015 to 2019. In 2021, the number of undernourished people globally rose to 768 million, indicating a setback in the fight against hunger.
Gender Gaps and the Long Road Ahead
Gender equality is a cornerstone of the SDGs, yet progress has been painstakingly slow. If we continue at the current pace, it will take an astonishing 286 years to close gender gaps in legal protection and dismantle discriminatory laws. Additionally, the Global Gender Gap Index 2021 by the World Economic Forum found that the overall gender gap across health, education, politics, and the economy stands at 31.4%.
Empowering women and promoting gender equality must be accelerated to create a fair and inclusive world for all, studies from The World Bank and The World Economic Forum have shown that advancing gender equality could add $12 trillion to the global GDP by 2025, highlighting the economic benefits of gender parity.
The Widening Divide: Rich vs. Poor
The socioeconomic disparities between the rich and poor continue to expand, hitting vulnerable countries the hardest. Developing nations face exorbitant borrowing costs, up to eight times higher than those of developed countries. According to the IMF, as of 2021, the average interest rate on new public debt issuances for emerging markets and developing economies was 5.6%, compared to 0.7% for advanced economies.
This highlights the failure of the international financial architecture to provide a global safety net for those most in need. Urgent reforms are required to bridge this gap and ensure everyone has an equal chance of prosperity. According to the UNCTAD 2014 financial report developing countries are estimated to require an additional $2.5 trillion annually in external financing to achieve the SDGs, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive global financing strategy.
The Call for Action:
At the Paris Summit on the New Global Financing Pact, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a global financial system overhaul to serve developing countries better. He stressed the immediate need for an annual SDG Stimulus of $500 billion for investments in sustainable development and climate action.
According to the UN, the investment required to achieve the SDGs in developing countries could create 380 million new jobs by 2030, significantly boosting economic growth and social progress.
As we navigate the complexities of the socioeconomic landscape, the figures and statistics demand that we take bold and transformative actions. Our commitment to the SDGs must be unwavering, with governments, organizations, businesses, and individuals joining forces to forge a path toward a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all.
Together, we can turn the tide and realize the vision of the 2030 Agenda.
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