International Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals at Risk

The United States, a key player in global development, is notably absent from the largest international talks on development financing in a decade. This absence highlights a significant erosion of international cooperation essential for combating hunger, disease, and climate change, which are critical components of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Global South Priorities and Leadership Challenges

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, representing the Global South and advocating for priorities such as debt relief during South Africa’s G20 presidency, canceled his visit due to domestic political reasons. Despite this, over 4,000 representatives from businesses, civil society, and financial institutions are attending the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, underscoring the global commitment to the SDGs.

Funding Shortfalls Threaten SDG Progress

The UN Sustainable Development Goals, targeted for achievement by 2030, are increasingly slipping out of reach. This is occurring alongside a withdrawal of funding from development programs by the world’s wealthiest countries, undermining efforts to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development.

• President Donald Trump’s significant cuts to the US development agency USAID exemplify this trend.
• Other wealthy nations such as Germany, Britain, and France have also reduced development aid in favor of competing priorities like defense.
• Oxfam reports these cuts as the largest since 1960.
• The United Nations estimates a $4 trillion annual gap in development finance.

Impact on Poverty and Global Inequality

According to the World Bank, over 800 million people live on less than $3 per day, with extreme poverty rising, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Disruptions in global trade due to tariffs and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine further weaken the diplomatic cohesion necessary to support countries in escaping poverty, directly impacting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Challenges in Global Development Financing

Key discussions at the conference focus on reforming international finance to alleviate the growing debt burdens of poorer countries, which hinder progress in health and education—critical areas under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

1. The external debt of least developed countries has more than tripled in 15 years.
2. A report coordinated by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz reveals that 3.3 billion people live in countries paying more in debt interest than on health services.
3. Calls for reform target US-based institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to better represent Global South interests.

The Seville Commitment and Multilateral Efforts

Despite the United States walking out of negotiations, a common declaration was produced in New York and adopted in Seville. This document reaffirms commitments to the SDGs, including:

• Eliminating poverty and hunger (SDG 1 and SDG 2)
• Promoting gender equality (SDG 5)
• Reforming tax systems and international financial institutions
• Tripling lending capacity of development banks
• Ensuring predictable finance for essential social spending
• Enhancing cooperation against tax evasion

Although the “Seville Commitment” is not legally binding, coalitions of countries plan to spearhead initiatives to overcome financial barriers to achieving the SDGs. Zambia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Chola Milambo, emphasized that the document demonstrates the potential for multilateralism to address these challenges effectively.

Criticism and Concerns Over Global Inequality

Campaigners have criticized the Seville Commitment for lacking ambition and have raised alarms about increasing global inequality. Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International, stated that global development is failing because the interests of a wealthy few are prioritized over the majority, undermining the equitable achievement of the SDGs.

Source: FRANCE 24 with AFP

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Article highlights over 800 million people living on less than $3 per day and rising extreme poverty, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
   • Discussion on eliminating poverty as a key UN development goal.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Article mentions combating hunger as part of international cooperation efforts.
   • Eliminating hunger reaffirmed in the Seville declaration.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Reference to countries spending more on debt interest than on health.
   • Health progress hindered by debt burdens.
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Promotion of gender equality mentioned in the UN development goals reaffirmed by the Seville declaration.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Concerns about rising global inequality and criticism of development failures benefiting a wealthy few.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Climate change mentioned as a key issue in international cooperation talks.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Focus on international cooperation, reforming financial institutions, and multilateralism.
   • Calls for cooperation against tax evasion and predictable finance for social spending.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.1: Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
   • Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources to end poverty.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services.
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.1: Achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population.
   • Target 10.5: Improve regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries.
   • Target 17.4: Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability.
   • Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 1 (No Poverty)
   • Proportion of population living below $3 per day (implied by the article’s mention of extreme poverty statistics).
2. Indicator for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
   • Prevalence of undernourishment or hunger (implied by focus on hunger elimination).
3. Indicator for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
   • Health expenditure as a proportion of total government expenditure (implied by the comparison of debt interest payments vs. health spending).
4. Indicator for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
   • Income growth of the bottom 40% of the population (implied by concerns over inequality).
   • Debt service as a percentage of exports or government revenue (implied by debt burden discussion).
5. Indicator for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
   • Amount of official development assistance (ODA) committed and disbursed (implied by aid cuts and financing gaps).
   • Volume of debt relief provided (implied by debt reform discussions).
   • Number of countries implementing tax cooperation measures (implied by calls for cooperation against tax evasion).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: france24.com