Rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015, aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all. The SDGs were designed to be a blueprint for a better and more sustainable future for all, with a focus on transforming the world over the next 15 years.

However, progress towards achieving the SDGs has been slow and uneven, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated existing challenges. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people and communities, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and has set back efforts to achieve the SDGs by years.

Rescuing the SDGs requires collective action and increased investment from all actors, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations. It also requires a focus on equity, including addressing systemic barriers and promoting gender equality, to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the SDGs.

In order to rescue the SDGs, it is important to:

Increase financing for sustainable development, including through innovative financing mechanisms and increased investment from the private sector.

Strengthen partnerships and collaboration across sectors, including between governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations.

Address systemic barriers and promote equity, including through gender-responsive policies and programs, and by addressing the root causes of inequality and discrimination.

Strengthen the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs, including through effective data collection and analysis, and by engaging all stakeholders in the implementation and monitoring process.