Challenges Undermining Progress in Sustainable Development

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals created by the UN in 2012, that aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for everyone by 2030. These are the goals that I have actively worked towards through my participation in the UN and as the Chair of the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU) in New York. These goals are interconnected, which means that progress in one area can lead to positive impacts on others. 

However, achieving the SDGs is not easy as we face many challenges, which include disrupted energy and food systems, and limited financial resources for green and sustainable projects; and of course the COVID pandemic which stifled progress in everything. These challenges threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people and undermine the efforts to build a better future for all.

But one of the biggest challenges is the high cost of war and the fallout from it. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the world spent $1981 billion on military activities, meaning that money is being poured in by the bucket load on weapons and conflicts. In turn, other countries are having to spend more on security in order to shore up their defenses to secure their borders during heightened levels of tension. Moreover, war causes more debt, greater expenditure on humanitarian aid and also massive reconstruction costs. This cycle is a huge challenge, too difficult to break out from.

It is very difficult in such circumstances for money to be funneled towards achieving the SDG’s, where security matters and human survival are taking priority. I would advise leaders not to have tunnel vision during such times, but rather look to the future and focus on development, sustainability, education and digitalization. These are some of the key factors that can help us achieve SDGs, as well as become more resilient to shocks and crises. 

For instance, investing in renewable energy can help us reduce our carbon footprint, create new jobs and provide electricity to millions of people who lack it. Investing in quality education can help us equip people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a changing world. Investing in digital technologies can help us foster innovation, connectivity and inclusion.

The SDGs are not only a moral duty, but also a smart choice. According to the UNDP, achieving the SDGs could generate $12 trillion of market opportunities and create 380 million new jobs by 2030. The benefits of achieving the SDGs would be four to seven times higher than the costs. 

It makes sense to reroute money towards achieving the SDG’s as they are a common interest of every economy across the globe. I pray that we can overcome politics and war in order to redirect our resources towards sustainable development which will go a long way to building a better world for us all.