Report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Their Current Status

Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, comprise 17 goals designed to tackle global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, conflict, and injustice. These goals aim to ensure peace and prosperity for people and the planet, both now and in the future. The SDGs succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015), which achieved progress in poverty reduction, education, and health but revealed persistent inequalities within and between countries.

Current Progress and Challenges in Achieving the SDGs by 2030

With only five years remaining to meet the 2030 target, the SDGs are widely off track. Over 80% of SDG targets are not progressing adequately due to years of underinvestment by states and recent aid cuts by major donors including the USA and several European countries.

• In July 2023, the UN reported that progress on more than half of the SDGs was “weak and insufficient.”
• Approximately 30% of the goals have stalled or reversed, notably those addressing poverty, hunger, and climate action.

Implications for Global Inequality and Human Rights

The failure to meet the SDGs exacerbates existing inequalities between and within countries, worsened by global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic downturns. Lower- and middle-income countries face increasing debt burdens due to climate-related damages, often resorting to loans that divert resources away from essential public services like health and education, thereby perpetuating vulnerability.

The human rights outlook is concerning, with projections indicating by 2030:

1. 585 million people will be chronically undernourished.
2. 1.66 billion people will live in extreme poverty.
3. 84 million children will be out of school.
4. 300 million school-attending children will be unable to read and write.
5. 660 million people will remain without electricity.

The Role of Finance in Achieving the SDGs

Finance is critical to fulfilling the SDGs. However, the global financial system is entrenched in historical inequalities and colonial legacies, resulting in unsustainable debt burdens for many low-income countries. Additionally, tax evasion and avoidance by multinational corporations and wealthy individuals cost countries an estimated US$492 billion annually, representing lost revenue that could otherwise support economic, social, and cultural rights.

Impact of International Aid Cuts on SDG Progress

Recent cuts to international aid have severely impacted SDG-related programs:

• Food rations in refugee camps have been reduced.
• HIV/AIDS clinics have closed, disrupting antiretroviral treatments.
• Nearly half of women-led and women’s organizations risk closure within six months, threatening gender-based violence initiatives.

Effects of Tariffs on Human Rights and SDGs

Tariffs, taxes imposed on imported goods and services, have been used as political tools, notably by the USA, to pressure various countries. These measures disproportionately affect poorer and vulnerable nations by increasing the cost of essential goods such as medicine, food, and fuel, thereby undermining living conditions, employment, and economic sovereignty, and consequently human rights.

Actions by High-Income States and Recommendations

High-income countries have generally failed to increase funding for the SDGs, with many reducing international assistance, resulting in a significant crisis. To support SDG achievement, these countries should:

• Commit to structural reforms for sustainable financing, including advancing international tax cooperation.
• Address the global debt crisis affecting low-income countries.
• Reform international financial institutions to promote inclusive financing and development systems.

Measures Required to Rescue the SDGs

A series of robust measures are essential to realign progress with the SDGs:

1. Reversing cuts to aid budgets by governments such as the USA.
2. Providing debt relief for countries in or at risk of debt distress.
3. Redirecting fossil fuel subsidies towards clean energy investments.
4. Committing to a full, fast, fair, and funded fossil fuel phase-out across all sectors.
5. Investing adequately in a just and equitable transition to sustainable development.

Implementing these measures will promote social, economic, and climate justice for millions worldwide.

Amnesty International’s Position on Financing for Development

Amnesty International advocates for a comprehensive transformation of development finance, taxation, debt management, and public and private investment to ensure the SDGs are met. This transformation aims to make finance more accessible and affordable for low-income countries to fulfill their human rights obligations. Prompt action is necessary to uphold states’ international commitments to provide cooperation and assistance, enabling the progressive realization of economic, social, and cultural rights.

Additional Resources

For further information on the impact of taxation on human rights, please refer to Amnesty International’s detailed reports and resources.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights extreme poverty affecting 1.66 billion people by 2030.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Chronic undernourishment impacting 585 million people is discussed.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The closure of HIV/AIDS clinics and lack of antiretroviral treatments are mentioned.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education – 84 million children out of school and 300 million unable to read and write are cited.
5. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The risk to women-led organizations and gender-based violence initiatives due to aid cuts is noted.
6. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – 660 million people remaining without electricity is referenced.
7. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Widening inequalities between and within countries are emphasized.
8. SDG 13: Climate Action – The climate crisis and its impact on debt and development financing are discussed.
9. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Issues related to international cooperation, aid cuts, and financial systems are covered.
10. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The need for international tax cooperation, debt relief, and reform of financial institutions is stressed.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1.1 – Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
2. SDG 2.1 – End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food.
3. SDG 3.3 – End epidemics of AIDS and other communicable diseases.
4. SDG 4.1 – Ensure all children complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
5. SDG 5.2 – Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
6. SDG 7.1 – Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
7. SDG 10.1 – Achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population.
8. SDG 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
9. SDG 16.6 – Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
10. SDG 17.1 – Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including international support to developing countries.
11. SDG 17.3 – Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Proportion of population living below the international poverty line (SDG 1.1) – Implied by the statistic of 1.66 billion people in extreme poverty.
• Prevalence of undernourishment (SDG 2.1) – Indicated by 585 million people chronically undernourished.
• Coverage of antiretroviral therapy (SDG 3.3) – Implied by the closure of HIV/AIDS clinics and treatment interruptions.
• Out-of-school children rates (SDG 4.1) – 84 million children out of school.
• Adult literacy rates (SDG 4.1) – 300 million children leaving school unable to read and write.
• Proportion of population with access to electricity (SDG 7.1) – 660 million people without electricity.
• Debt service as a percentage of government revenue (SDG 17.1) – Implied by countries spending more on debt repayments than public services.
• Amount of international aid disbursed (SDG 17.3) – Implied by aid cuts and their effects on services.
• Incidence of gender-based violence (SDG 5.2) – Implied risk due to funding cuts for gender-based violence initiatives.
• Tax revenue as a percentage of GDP (SDG 17.1) – Implied by tax evasion costing countries US$492 billion annually.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: amnesty.org