Introduction
In 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan to improve lives, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and promote peace and equality. This plan includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are connected and meant for all countries, no matter how rich or poor. The goals focus on building a better, fair world where people and the planet can thrive together.
The SDGs are designed to be bold and transformative. They reflect a promise by governments around the world to work together so that no one is left behind. Even wealthier countries still face challenges like ensuring equal rights for women, protecting natural resources, and reducing inequality.
Now, two years into implementation, this 2017 report reviews how far we’ve come—and highlights the urgent need to move faster. In many key areas, progress is happening too slowly to reach the 2030 targets on time.
Expanding access to quality education is essential. If every child in low-income countries finishes upper secondary education by 2030, the average income per person could rise by 75% by 2050, and poverty could be eliminated 10 years earlier.
Gender inequality remains a serious barrier in many parts of the world. Women and girls continue to
Youth unemployment also remains a major concern. Young people are more likely to be unemployed than adults, and their views are still not being properly considered in decision-making processes that affect their lives and futures.
Environmental issues are also alarming:
The planet’s average temperature has risen by about 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. Global warming contributes to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and powerful storms.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved without upholding human rights, ensuring peace and security, and reducing inequality both within countries and between countries. Helping those most at risk, reaching vulnerable communities, and building inclusive societies are essential to long-term progress. Preventing conflict and maintaining peace are key parts of the SDGs.
What This Report Shows
This report provides an overview of how countries are progressing with the SDGs and where more work is urgently needed. It stresses the importance of:
The 2030 Agenda offers a real opportunity to improve lives and reduce the risk of conflict and disaster. It aligns closely with the United Nations’ broader goal of “Sustaining Peace”, which focuses on preventing crises through development and inclusion.
Sustainable and inclusive growth is not just a goal—it’s also the most effective way to prevent future problems.
To make this vision real, governments and stakeholders must act on the findings of this report. That means filling gaps in
As Secretary-General, I am fully committed to improving how the United Nations supports countries. We are working to become more efficient, effective, and better coordinated in helping countries move forward on one common development agenda.
Together, we can turn the 2030 Agenda into real progress that reaches everyone, everywhere.
António Guterres
Secretary-General, United Nations
