World ‘failing’ to meet development goals, says UN chief

War and lack of funding have stymied efforts to meet the United Nations development goals, which include several measures to combat climate change, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday. Member states adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 that include ending extreme poverty and hunger by 2030.

But Antonio Guterres said Friday that “the world is failing” to achieve them. “Our inability to guarantee peace, fight climate change and revive international finance is harming development,” he declared during a meeting in New York, unveiling the latest assessment of progress made. “We need to accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals, and we don’t have a moment to lose: only 17% of the goals are on track,” he added.

Some signs of hope

Wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, increasing climatic disasters and rising costs of living, among others, prevent the achievement of these goals. But “the refusal to meet the basic needs of so many people is scandalous and inexcusable,” said Antonio Guterres, adding that it is necessary to bring peace to the conflicts raging across the world and to deploy efforts for a ecological transition.

There are still some signs of hope, according to the UN Secretary General, with the reduction in new HIV infections, growing access to the internet and the “booming” use of renewable energies. “We must increase the lending capacity of development banks to provide more resources for climate action and sustainable development,” according to Antonio Guterres.

“Latest news”

Want to stay on top of the news? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your email box. So you don’t miss anything that’s happening in your canton, in Switzerland or around the world.

Other newsletters

To log in

AFP

Found an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments