Insights from the 2023 Voluntary National Reviews
The report outlines shifts needed, not only in energy sources, consumption patterns, and supply chains, but also in values, hearts, and minds.
[2023 UN Secretary General’s Report on Progress towards the SDGs]
At the half-way point of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “are in deep trouble.” This is one of the strong conclusions drawn by the 2023 Special Edition of the UN Secretary General’s Report, Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards a rescue plan for people and planet.
The report notes that out of roughly 140 targets for which data is available, only around 12% are on track. Among other stark consequences of continuing current trends, the report highlights:
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Around 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030;
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Only about one third of countries will meet the target to halve national poverty levels;
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It will take 286 years to close gender gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws; and
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By 2030, some 84 million children will be out of school and 300 million children or young people who attend school will leave unable to read and write.