UN chief  issues strong appeal for international community to intensify efforts toward achieving SDGs

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a strong appeal for the international community to intensify efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), warning that progress is falling dangerously behind with just five years remaining until the 2030 deadline. Speaking at the SDG Moment event during the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Guterres said urgent changes are needed in how the world handles finance, climate, and technology.
 
He also emphasised the need for peace, and he pointed out that global military spending in 2024 was 13 times greater than official development assistance. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock also painted a grim picture of current SDG progress. According to her, only 35 per cent of the targets are currently on track, while 47 per cent are seeing little to no progress, and 18 per cent are actually reversing.