UN Chief Calls for Faster Action to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

UN Chief Calls for Faster Action to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged countries to accelerate efforts to meet the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), warning that global crises, rising inequalities and financial pressures are putting progress at risk.

Speaking at the opening of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, Guterres said the world has achieved important gains over the past decade, including reductions in child and maternal mortality, expanded access to social protection, clean water, sanitation, electricity and the internet, as well as growth in renewable energy.

However, he warned that conflicts, economic instability, debt burdens, climate change and rising costs of food, fuel and fertilizers have slowed progress. According to the UN chief, only 36% of assessed SDG targets are currently on track or showing moderate progress, while 15% have moved backward.

Guterres called for increased investment in poverty reduction, decent employment, gender equality, digital access, climate action and renewable energy. He highlighted that billions of people still lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation, with 2.2 billion people without safely managed drinking water and 3.5 billion without adequate sanitation services.

The secretary-general also stressed the need to expand renewable energy, improve access to technology and artificial intelligence, address the global housing crisis and strengthen international partnerships.