Introduction
Since it began in 2015, the 2030 Agenda has been a plan for shared success in a sustainable world—a world where everyone can live a good, peaceful life on a healthy planet. With just over 10 years left until 2030, we need to ask ourselves: are we doing enough today to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019 gives us clear facts to help answer that question.
The report shows that progress is happening in some important areas. Extreme poverty has dropped a lot; the number of children dying under the age of five fell by 49% between 2000 and 2017, vaccines have saved millions of lives, and most people in the world now have electricity. Countries are taking action to protect the planet—marine protected areas have doubled since 2010, and many countries are working together to stop illegal fishing. A total of 186 parties have agreed to the Paris Agreement on climate change, and nearly all of them have shared their first plans to reduce emissions. Around 150 countries have made national plans to deal with fast urban growth. Also, 71 countries and the European Union have introduced more than 300 policies and tools to support responsible consumption and production. Many different groups—such as international organisations, companies, local governments, scientists, and civil society—are working on the SDGs, giving us hope for the next decade. The United Nations is also changing how it works so it can better help governments carry out this important and wide-reaching agenda.
However, the report also shows that many serious problems still need urgent global attention. The environment is being damaged at a fast and dangerous rate—sea levels are rising, ocean acidification is increasing, the last four years were the hottest ever recorded, about one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction, and land is being destroyed. We are also not doing enough to end human suffering and give everyone opportunities. Our goal to end extreme poverty by 2030 is at risk, as we struggle with long-term poverty, violent conflicts, and the effects of natural disasters. Hunger is increasing, and at least half the world’s people do not have basic health services. More than half of children around the world do not meet basic levels in reading and math. Only 28% of people with serious disabilities receive financial help. Women everywhere still face unfair treatment and barriers.
We need a faster, stronger, and more determined response to make the big changes needed to reach our 2030 goals. We already know what works. This report points to key areas that can help move all 17 SDGs forward: better funding, stronger resilience, fair and sustainable economies, better institutions, more action at the local level, smarter use of data, and more use of science, technology, and digital tools. In everything we do, we must make sure no one is left behind, and that countries get support from strong international cooperation, diplomacy, and efforts to prevent conflict.
The SDG Summit, the Climate Action Summit, and other major events happening in New York in September 2019 give world leaders a chance to get the global effort back on track and start a new decade of strong action for people and the planet. Now is the time to act.
António Guterres
Secretary-General, United Nations
The next few years will be very important—to protect the planet and to achieve fair and lasting progress for all people.
