Report on the Holy See’s Address to the United Nations on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning with SDG 1 and SDG 2

In an address to a United Nations Committee, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See Permanent Observer, marked World Food Day by focusing on the imperative to eradicate poverty and hunger. The discussion centered on the structural impediments to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and outlined indispensable requirements for sustainable development.

Assessment of Global Progress on SDG 1 and SDG 2

The Archbishop highlighted a significant failure by the international community to meet its commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Key observations include:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Over 800 million people globally continue to live in extreme poverty.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): One in every twelve people suffers from hunger, indicating a severe lack of progress in achieving food security and improved nutrition.

This situation was described as a profound contradiction in an era of technological and economic advancement. It represents a serious violation of the integral, God-given dignity of the human person and a failure to protect the fundamental right to life, which underpins all SDGs.

Resource Misallocation and its Impact on SDG 16

Referencing the Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, the report noted a critical misallocation of global resources that directly undermines the achievement of the SDGs. This subversion of priorities presents a painful contradiction:

• Financial resources and innovative technologies are being diverted from efforts to achieve SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• These resources are instead channeled into the manufacture and trade of weapons, which actively works against SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• This misallocation not only prolongs the suffering of those in poverty but also fuels conflict and instability, creating a vicious cycle that further hinders sustainable development.

Recommendations for Achieving the 2030 Agenda

The address concluded that poverty is not inevitable and can be eliminated by addressing its structural causes. A multi-faceted approach, grounded in international cooperation and global solidarity as outlined in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), is required. The following actionable measures were proposed to create conditions that enable all people to flourish:

1. Invest in Quality Education: Fulfill the objectives of SDG 4 by providing access to quality education for all.
2. Promote Decent Work: Create opportunities for decent work and economic growth in line with SDG 8.
3. Establish Social Protections: Implement comprehensive social protection systems, a key target for achieving SDG 1 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article is centered around the “Eradication of Poverty.” It explicitly mentions the global statistic that “more than 800 million people live in extreme poverty” and calls for structural causes to be addressed to eliminate it.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article marks World Food Day and discusses “Agriculture development, food security and nutrition.” It highlights that “one in every 12 people suffer from hunger” and frames this as a “serious outrage to the integral God-given dignity of the human person.”

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • As a solution to poverty, the article suggests specific measures, including “investing in quality education,” directly linking educational investment to economic welfare and human flourishing.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article proposes that “creating opportunities for decent work” is a key measure to be taken to “promote economic welfare” and combat poverty.

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article criticizes the diversion of resources from poverty and hunger eradication to the “manufacture and trade of weapons.” This subversion of priorities is said to prolong suffering and “fuel conflict and instability,” connecting directly to the goal of promoting peaceful societies.

6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article emphasizes that poverty can only be eliminated through “international cooperation and coordination, global solidarity and actionable measures taken,” which is the core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.1: Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. The article directly addresses this by citing the statistic that “more than 800 million people live in extreme poverty.”
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems. The call for “establishing comprehensive social protections systems” is a direct reference to this target.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The article’s focus on eradicating hunger and the statistic that “one in every 12 people suffer from hunger” align perfectly with this target.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The recommendation of “investing in quality education” is a foundational step toward achieving this target.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The article’s call for “creating opportunities for decent work” directly supports this target.

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.4: Significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows. The concern expressed that “Financial resources and innovative technologies are being diverted… to the manufacture and trade of weapons” relates to the reduction of arms flows and the misallocation of financial resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 1 (No Poverty)

   • Indicator 1.1.1 (Proportion of population below the international poverty line): The article explicitly mentions a statistic related to this indicator: “globally more than 800 million people live in extreme poverty.”
   • Indicator 1.3.1 (Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems): This is implied by the call for “establishing comprehensive social protections systems.” Progress would be measured by the extent and coverage of such systems.

2. Indicators for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

   • Indicator 2.1.1 (Prevalence of undernourishment): The article provides a direct measure related to this indicator by stating that “one in every 12 people suffer from hunger.”

3. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Indicator 16.4.1 (Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows): This is implied by the critique of “Financial resources… being diverted… to the manufacture and trade of weapons.” Measuring the scale of this diversion would be a relevant indicator.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vaticannews.va