You have heard about them many times.

But did you know that this year is actually the halfway point of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The 17 SDGs were adopted in 2015 to set a framework for the nations of the world. 

The aim of the goals is to end poverty, protect the planet, and reduce inequality and many more targets for global development by 2030.

So it’s only natural to ask: how far have we come? 

Well… Not that far, according to the UN.

The data available for about 140 of the targets shows that only about 12% of them are on the right track.

This means, according to the UN Secretary General, that our current efforts are not nearly enough.

But how off track are we talking then? 

Let us give you some examples from the report: 

• Right now, it is expected that 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030. 

• With our current progress, it will take more than 286 years to close the gender gap in legal protection and to remove discriminatory laws.

• CO2 levels are continually rising, and now to a level not seen in 2 million years

So if we continue to work with the SDGs the way we do now, it is unlikely (basically impossible) we will reach the target by 2030. 

COVID-19, Ukraine, and climate-related disasters

When first implemented, the SDGs became quite popular and resulted in trends with positive results.

But the past years have had a massive impact on the development and progress. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, and other global crises have posed many new challenges.

These challenges have in many ways messed up the progress made in sustainable development and are therefore a big challenge for the entire 2030 strategy.

The Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023 - Getting back on track

We need to get back on track. 

There are still seven years before the agenda must be reached, meaning there is time for progress and development. 

In September 2023, the SDG Summit took place to mark the halfway point at the UN headquarters in New York.

Here, world leaders reviewed the current state of the 17 goals, reflected on where we stand, and came up with strategies to improve work with the SDGs. 

As the UN report states, the SDG Summit had to “signal a genuine turning point”.

Because we need a rescue plan if we want to reach our goals.

Whew, that was a lot!

But hey, don't be discouraged.

A little progress is still progress and we should all continue to do our part - only then can we truly make a change. 

Source: UNDP.org: https://feature.undp.org/2023-halfway-there/