World News in Brief: Funding cuts curb development, human rights in Belarus update, Ebola and mpox in Africa – UN News

Report on Global Challenges to Sustainable Development Goals

Current Threats to the 2030 Agenda

Global progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is under severe threat due to a confluence of crises, including escalating conflicts, rising debt, and a significant decline in development assistance. This situation jeopardizes the achievement of the entire 2030 Agenda.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Progress on poverty reduction has officially stalled, with the World Bank warning of a potential “lost decade for development.”
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): A noted decline in respect for human rights and multilateralism is undermining the foundations of peaceful and inclusive societies.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Development assistance is projected to fall by 9 to 17 per cent, with least-developed countries facing a potential 25 per cent reduction. This is contrasted by record-high military spending, which diverts critical resources from sustainable development.

A Path Forward Aligned with SDGs

The right to development framework offers a viable path to counteract these negative trends and realign global efforts with SDG targets. A renewed commitment to global solidarity is essential.

1. Reshape Fiscal Policies: Governments are urged to implement fiscal policies that prioritize social protection and human rights, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
2. Strengthen Social Protection: Enhancing social safety nets is crucial for building resilience and ensuring no one is left behind.
3. Align Global Finance: Financial systems must be aligned with human rights principles to foster sustainable and equitable growth, reinforcing SDG 16 and SDG 17.

Labor Rights Violations in Belarus: A Challenge to SDG 8

Assessment of Decent Work and Economic Growth

A report from a UN independent human rights expert indicates that labor conditions in Belarus are contrary to the state’s proclaimed commitment to economic and social rights. The findings reveal systemic issues that directly undermine SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Pervasive, politically-motivated discrimination and harassment have been identified in both public and private sectors.
• These practices create barriers to equitable employment, challenging the principles of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has placed the country under enhanced scrutiny for violations of trade union rights, a key component of Target 8.8.

Forced Labor and Institutional Failures

The report details severe violations that contravene international labor standards and human rights, impacting both SDG 8 and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

• Forced Labor: The use of forced labor with little or no pay as a punitive measure for unjustly incarcerated individuals is a direct violation of Target 8.7, which calls for the eradication of forced labor.
• Restrictions on Employment: Unjustified restrictions on access to jobs based on political affiliation prevent inclusive economic growth.
• Arbitrary Detention: The ongoing arbitrary detention of over 1,100 people further erodes justice and institutional integrity, as stipulated in SDG 16.

Public Health Preparedness in Africa: Upholding SDG 3

Response to Ebola and Mpox Outbreaks

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is intensifying its health response across Africa to combat outbreaks of Ebola and mpox. These efforts are critical for achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly Target 3.3, which aims to end epidemics of communicable diseases.

• The primary objective is to make all points of entry and screening fully operational to prevent cross-border transmission.
• These measures are designed to protect mobile populations and high-risk border communities, which often have limited access to health services.
• Over 169,000 screenings have been conducted, demonstrating a proactive approach to disease prevention and control.

Strengthening Surveillance and National Health Systems

IOM is supporting national health authorities to build resilient systems capable of managing public health threats, a core component of SDG 3.

• Data for Health: In Uganda and Ethiopia, IOM’s mobility data is being utilized for public health planning and outbreak preparedness, showcasing an effective partnership that supports SDG 17.
• Enhanced Surveillance: In Malawi and South Sudan, IOM is strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, and access to vaccination at key border points to improve national response capabilities.

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

The article highlights issues that connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting a broad range of challenges in development, human rights, labor, health, and international cooperation.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  This goal is directly addressed when the article states that “poverty reduction has stalled,” indicating a reversal or stagnation of progress in eradicating poverty.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is central to the section on the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) response to Ebola and mpox outbreaks in Africa. The efforts described, such as disease screening, surveillance, and contact tracing, are fundamental to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The report on Belarus directly relates to this goal. It discusses violations of workers’ rights, including “politically-motivated discrimination and harassment” in the workplace, “unjustified restrictions on access to jobs,” the “use of forced labour,” and “violations of trade unions’ rights.”

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is relevant in two main contexts. First, the article opens by mentioning “declining respect for human rights” and “conflicts.” Second, the situation in Belarus, with reports of people being “unjustly incarcerated” and “detained arbitrarily,” points to a failure of justice and the rule of law.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article touches upon the financial aspects of global partnerships. It highlights “shrinking development assistance,” with the OECD projecting a “nine to 17 per cent fall in aid,” which directly impacts the means of implementation for achieving all other SDGs.

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

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. The statement that “poverty reduction has stalled” directly relates to the lack of progress toward this primary target.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. The response to the “Ebola outbreak” and “mpox preparedness” are direct actions aimed at combating communicable diseases.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The IOM’s work to make “fully operational all points of entry and screening,” enhance “surveillance, contact tracing and access to vaccination,” and use “mobility data for public health planning” are all measures to strengthen capacity for managing health risks.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The report on Belarus explicitly mentions the “use of forced labour for little or no pay as a form of punishment.”
   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. The article highlights “violations of trade unions’ rights” and “politically-motivated discrimination and harassment” in the workplace, which are direct contraventions of this target.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The mention of global “conflicts” connects to this target.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The situation in Belarus, where over “1,100 people continue to be detained arbitrarily” and people are “unjustly incarcerated,” is a clear failure to meet this target.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments. The projection of a “nine to 17 per cent fall in aid” and up to “25 per cent for the least-developed countries” indicates that this target is not being met.

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

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

  The article provides a direct quantitative indicator for health preparedness activities (Target 3.d). It states that “over 169,000 screenings have been conducted” at border points. This number serves as a direct measure of the scale of the health response. The implementation of “surveillance, contact tracing and access to vaccination” are qualitative indicators of strengthened health system capacity.

• Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

  The article implies indicators for forced labour (Target 8.7) and labour rights (Target 8.8). The finding of “the use of forced labour” is a direct, albeit non-quantified, indicator of a violation. The mention of an enhanced scrutiny by the International Labour Organization (ILO) due to “violations of trade unions’ rights” serves as an institutional indicator of non-compliance with international labour standards.

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

  A specific quantitative indicator is provided for Target 16.3. The article reports that “over 1,100 people continue to be detained arbitrarily in the country [Belarus].” This number is a direct measure of arbitrary detention, a key concern for justice and human rights.

• Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

  The article provides a clear quantitative indicator related to development finance (Target 17.2). The OECD’s projection of a “nine to 17 per cent fall in aid next year” is a direct indicator of the volume of Official Development Assistance (ODA), which is used to track progress towards this target.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: news.un.org