Doha: HE Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group has warned that a series of global setbacks mean only 17 percent of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are currently on track to meet their targets. This caution was issued during a speech at Qatar Foundation’s Education City Speaker Series.
According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency elaborated on how overlapping crises, uneven progress, rising geopolitical conflicts, climate challenges, and economic disruptions have exacerbated inequalities, seriously affecting prospects of achieving the SDGs. The Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the grim statistics, noting that nearly 700 million people are living in extreme poverty, with the number of individuals facing hunger surpassing 730 million. Access to quality education, decent work, universal healthcare, social protection, and digital connectivity remains limited, leaving billions at risk of being left behind.
“The message is clear,
and it’s stark: the outlook for achieving people-centered development and meeting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is very fragile, but it isn’t too late to change course,” she emphasized. She called for intensified efforts and a renewed commitment to leaving no one behind. Moreover, she stressed the importance of identifying marginalized groups and incorporating them into development planning and investments.
Looking ahead, Qatar is set to host the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025, which aims to bolster momentum toward fulfilling the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Her Excellency described the summit as a “tremendous opportunity” to address all 17 SDGs, ranging from poverty and hunger to education and peace. She advocated for an inclusive process leading up to the summit, emphasizing the need for a detailed and measurable action plan for social development that aligns with 21st-century needs.
In discussing conflicts in the Middle East, Her Excellenc
y remarked on the potential for resolution, noting the man-made nature of these conflicts. She drew attention to the disproportionate impact on women and children and underscored the importance of female leadership in fostering peace. The Education City Speaker Series continues to serve as a platform for global experts to engage the community in discussions on education, youth empowerment, sport, sustainability, and social change.
