A call for urgent action as global progress stalls
SDG 2025 Report released
As the SDGs approach their 2030 deadline, the UN's latest findings underscore the need for accelerated efforts to avert a global development crisis.
The United Nations released its much-anticipated SDG 2025 Report on Monday, outlining global progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015.
The report, which was unveiled at a high-level briefing in New York, paints a mixed picture of achievements, challenges, and urgent calls for renewed action. While there has been notable progress in some areas, experts warn that the world is off track in meeting many key targets, particularly those addressing poverty, inequality, and climate action.
The report’s release coincides with mounting concerns about the economic, social, and environmental fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and geopolitical tensions, which have all compounded the challenges to achieving sustainable development.
Key findings
The SDG 2025 Report offers a comprehensive review of global progress, drawing on data from UN agencies, national governments, and independent experts. The report is a critical milestone on the road to 2030, providing a detailed assessment of where the world stands and what needs to be done to stay on track.
1. Poverty eradication remains elusive
Goal 1 of the SDGs, which aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, has seen limited progress. According to the report, while the global poverty rate decreased in the years preceding the pandemic, the Covid-19 crisis pushed an estimated 150 million people back into extreme poverty. As a result, the world is significantly off track in achieving the goal of eradicating poverty by 2030.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in his briefing, “The pandemic has reversed decades of progress on poverty alleviation. We must not only aim to recover what was lost but to build a more resilient and inclusive world that leaves no one behind.”
2. Unequal access to education and gender gaps widen
SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, also showed slow progress. Despite substantial efforts by governments and international organisations, educational disruptions caused by the pandemic have exacerbated disparities. The report highlights that millions of children, particularly girls, children with disabilities, and those in conflict zones, are still out of school.
Gender equality, enshrined in SDG 5, remains another area of concern. The SDG 2025 Report indicates that while women’s participation in the global workforce has increased slightly, they continue to face significant barriers. The gender pay gap remains stubbornly high, and women are still underrepresented in leadership roles across the private and public sectors. Furthermore, violence against women and girls has intensified in many parts of the world, with lockdowns during the pandemic exacerbating domestic abuse.
3. Climate action faces growing urgency
The climate crisis continues to be one of the most pressing issues in the SDG 2025 Report. While countries have made some progress in reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, remains critically off track.
According to the report, global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, with catastrophic consequences for ecosystems, communities, and economies. The frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, has sharply increased, displacing millions of people globally. However, the report also points to an increase in climate-related investments and the growing shift towards green technologies, with notable efforts from the European Union, China, and the United States.
Despite these efforts, UN climate experts warn that the world is on course for a temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century, far beyond the 1.5°C target set in the Paris Agreement. The 2025 report calls for urgent, transformative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on decarbonising the global economy and protecting vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change.
4. Inequality deepens across globe
SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries, remains one of the most challenging goals. The report highlights that the global inequality gap has continued to widen, with wealth inequality reaching new heights. The pandemic disproportionately affected low-income communities and marginalised groups, further entrenching social and economic divides.
“We have witnessed the rise of billionaires during the pandemic, while millions have lost their jobs and livelihoods,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. “This growing inequality is a threat to global peace and security and is hindering sustainable development for all.”
The report also notes that while progress has been made in reducing child mortality (SDG 3), access to quality healthcare remains a significant barrier in many low-income countries. The unequal distribution of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the deep divides in healthcare systems, particularly in Africa and South Asia.
5. Peace, justice, and institutions at risk
SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions, has faced setbacks due to escalating conflicts, political instability, and weakened governance structures in various parts of the world. The report indicates that global peace has been under threat, with ongoing wars, such as those in Ukraine and Ethiopia, displacing millions of people and putting immense strain on international peacekeeping and humanitarian resources.
The erosion of trust in public institutions and rising authoritarianism in some countries has also made it harder to build peaceful, inclusive societies. The report stresses the need for stronger international cooperation and transparent governance to achieve sustainable peace.
6. Global partnerships and financing shortfalls
SDG 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising global partnerships for sustainable development, faces significant challenges. One of the most critical barriers identified in the report is the shortfall in financing for SDG implementation.
Despite pledges made by wealthy nations, the international financial system remains insufficiently responsive to the needs of developing countries.
In particular, the report highlights that the target for global development assistance is falling short, with many countries unable to access the financial resources they need to implement their SDG strategies. As a result, the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 is in jeopardy, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable nations.
The way forward: A call to action
Despite the setbacks, the SDG 2025 Report underscores that achieving the SDGs is still possible, but only if urgent and decisive action is taken. “We must build back better,” said Guterres. “We cannot return to the old normal, but must create a new, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.”
The report calls for global collaboration and enhanced efforts at the national, regional, and international levels. Governments, businesses, and civil society must accelerate their efforts to achieve the SDGs, with a focus on climate action, social protection, and equitable economic growth.
The 2025 SDG report is a wake-up call to the global community. With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, the world must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that sustainable development becomes a reality for all.
As the world grapples with multiple crises, the SDGs offer a blueprint for recovery and resilience. However, this blueprint can only be realised through collective action, renewed commitment, and the unwavering belief that a sustainable, just, and prosperous future is within our reach.
The UN has called for a global summit in September 2025 to review progress and ensure that the momentum towards 2030 is regained. The SDG 2025 Report will likely play a crucial role in shaping discussions at this critical juncture, urging all stakeholders to unite and accelerate their efforts in meeting the SDGs.
The report, which was unveiled at a high-level briefing in New York, paints a mixed picture of achievements, challenges, and urgent calls for renewed action. While there has been notable progress in some areas, experts warn that the world is off track in meeting many key targets, particularly those addressing poverty, inequality, and climate action.
The report’s release coincides with mounting concerns about the economic, social, and environmental fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and geopolitical tensions, which have all compounded the challenges to achieving sustainable development.
Key findings
The SDG 2025 Report offers a comprehensive review of global progress, drawing on data from UN agencies, national governments, and independent experts. The report is a critical milestone on the road to 2030, providing a detailed assessment of where the world stands and what needs to be done to stay on track.
1. Poverty eradication remains elusive
Goal 1 of the SDGs, which aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, has seen limited progress. According to the report, while the global poverty rate decreased in the years preceding the pandemic, the Covid-19 crisis pushed an estimated 150 million people back into extreme poverty. As a result, the world is significantly off track in achieving the goal of eradicating poverty by 2030.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in his briefing, “The pandemic has reversed decades of progress on poverty alleviation. We must not only aim to recover what was lost but to build a more resilient and inclusive world that leaves no one behind.”
2. Unequal access to education and gender gaps widen
SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, also showed slow progress. Despite substantial efforts by governments and international organisations, educational disruptions caused by the pandemic have exacerbated disparities. The report highlights that millions of children, particularly girls, children with disabilities, and those in conflict zones, are still out of school.
Gender equality, enshrined in SDG 5, remains another area of concern. The SDG 2025 Report indicates that while women’s participation in the global workforce has increased slightly, they continue to face significant barriers. The gender pay gap remains stubbornly high, and women are still underrepresented in leadership roles across the private and public sectors. Furthermore, violence against women and girls has intensified in many parts of the world, with lockdowns during the pandemic exacerbating domestic abuse.
3. Climate action faces growing urgency
The climate crisis continues to be one of the most pressing issues in the SDG 2025 Report. While countries have made some progress in reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, remains critically off track.
According to the report, global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, with catastrophic consequences for ecosystems, communities, and economies. The frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, has sharply increased, displacing millions of people globally. However, the report also points to an increase in climate-related investments and the growing shift towards green technologies, with notable efforts from the European Union, China, and the United States.
Despite these efforts, UN climate experts warn that the world is on course for a temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century, far beyond the 1.5°C target set in the Paris Agreement. The 2025 report calls for urgent, transformative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on decarbonising the global economy and protecting vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change.
4. Inequality deepens across globe
SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries, remains one of the most challenging goals. The report highlights that the global inequality gap has continued to widen, with wealth inequality reaching new heights. The pandemic disproportionately affected low-income communities and marginalised groups, further entrenching social and economic divides.
“We have witnessed the rise of billionaires during the pandemic, while millions have lost their jobs and livelihoods,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. “This growing inequality is a threat to global peace and security and is hindering sustainable development for all.”
The report also notes that while progress has been made in reducing child mortality (SDG 3), access to quality healthcare remains a significant barrier in many low-income countries. The unequal distribution of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the deep divides in healthcare systems, particularly in Africa and South Asia.
5. Peace, justice, and institutions at risk
SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions, has faced setbacks due to escalating conflicts, political instability, and weakened governance structures in various parts of the world. The report indicates that global peace has been under threat, with ongoing wars, such as those in Ukraine and Ethiopia, displacing millions of people and putting immense strain on international peacekeeping and humanitarian resources.
The erosion of trust in public institutions and rising authoritarianism in some countries has also made it harder to build peaceful, inclusive societies. The report stresses the need for stronger international cooperation and transparent governance to achieve sustainable peace.
6. Global partnerships and financing shortfalls
SDG 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising global partnerships for sustainable development, faces significant challenges. One of the most critical barriers identified in the report is the shortfall in financing for SDG implementation.
Despite pledges made by wealthy nations, the international financial system remains insufficiently responsive to the needs of developing countries.
In particular, the report highlights that the target for global development assistance is falling short, with many countries unable to access the financial resources they need to implement their SDG strategies. As a result, the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 is in jeopardy, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable nations.
The way forward: A call to action
Despite the setbacks, the SDG 2025 Report underscores that achieving the SDGs is still possible, but only if urgent and decisive action is taken. “We must build back better,” said Guterres. “We cannot return to the old normal, but must create a new, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.”
The report calls for global collaboration and enhanced efforts at the national, regional, and international levels. Governments, businesses, and civil society must accelerate their efforts to achieve the SDGs, with a focus on climate action, social protection, and equitable economic growth.
The 2025 SDG report is a wake-up call to the global community. With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, the world must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that sustainable development becomes a reality for all.
As the world grapples with multiple crises, the SDGs offer a blueprint for recovery and resilience. However, this blueprint can only be realised through collective action, renewed commitment, and the unwavering belief that a sustainable, just, and prosperous future is within our reach.
The UN has called for a global summit in September 2025 to review progress and ensure that the momentum towards 2030 is regained. The SDG 2025 Report will likely play a crucial role in shaping discussions at this critical juncture, urging all stakeholders to unite and accelerate their efforts in meeting the SDGs.
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