World Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Rescue the Sustainable Development Goals

As the world reaches the halfway point between the opening launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and a 2030 deadline, global leaders have recognized an unmistakable reality: progress is achingly slow. So the United Nations General Assembly went into action, taking up a binding political declaration that professes urgent, large-scale action to accelerate progress across all 17 SDGs.

This declaration takes into consideration that several concurrent crises have turned the clock backwards in development gains in many countries through such converging crises as climate change, economic instability, conflict, and lingering pandemic effects. Leaders asserted that without renewed political commitment and stronger international cooperation, backed by increased financial investment, the SDGs will be unmet promises instead of attained outcomes.

From this declaration, one major outcry is the reform of global financial systems to allow developing countries access to affordable financing, which is vital to pursue sustainable development. Besides that, science, technology, and innovation, as well as inclusive decision-making that empowers and encompasses youth, women, and marginalized voices, remain very important.