‘Only 35% of SDGs on track’ — Guterres calls for global push to rescue 2030 agenda

António Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, says the world remains far behind in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Guterres made this known on Monday while addressing ministers at the ministerial segment of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) held at the UN headquarters in New York.

The HLPF is the UN’s central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 agenda and its 17 SDGs.

Guterres said only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress.

“Nearly half are moving too slowly. And 18 per cent are going backwards,” he said.

He noted that despite some encouraging gains since 2015, including declining child marriage, expanded social protection, and increased women’s representation, progress is not fast or inclusive enough.

“The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan, a plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other and to future generations,” he said.

Guterres called on world leaders to turn “sparks of transformation into a blaze of progress”, urging governments to act with urgency, ambition and political will to rescue the goals.

While acknowledging the setbacks driven by inequality, conflict and fiscal strain, the UN chief said the SDGs are still within reach if countries channel resources effectively and invest in long-term solutions.

He also stressed the connection between peace and development, citing violent conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine.

He noted that diplomatic efforts and ceasefires are urgently needed to end the suffering and restore progress.

“At every step, we know sustainable peace requires sustainable development. Transformation is not only necessary, it is possible,” he added.

Guterres pointed to recent global agreements as evidence that multilateralism can still deliver results.

He said these include the Pandemic Agreement adopted at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, commitments to expand marine protected areas at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, and a new vision for global finance developed at the fourth International Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, Spain.