The sustainable development goals (SDGs), also known as global goals, have been rendered crucial global development efforts and helping to the development of the world in economic, social and several other terms since their adoption at a UN Sustainable Development Summit held in the United States in 2015. The SDGs, consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets, were listed in the UN Agenda 2030 at the end of the Millennium Development Goals with the intention to eradicate poverty and realize a sustainable world. Although the SDGs have been playing crucial roles in global development, they have not brought their intended outcomes in many countries, despites their potential to bring significant changes in economic, social and other terms globally.
Definitely, the success of the SDGs is notable in many aspects including economic in many countries, though it is difficult to exactly say the extent of their achievements so far and they is not praiseworthy in many other countries. It helped to reduce poverty and bring many other positive outcomes in many countries. According to the 2021 edition of Reporting Matters, published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the achievement of the SDGs is notable for many goals including poverty reduction and quality education. Poverty has notably declined in many countries including less developed countries with increased per capita income, though poverty is still a major cause of global concern. Access to education and quality education has also notably increased globally.
But the sustainable development goals are not desirably achieved in many countries including in many less developed countries in the world. Several targets of the SDGs including the target of decent work and economic growth, an important target of the SDGs, and quality education have not been significantly achieved in many countries. Among others, the target of affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life below water, life on land and peace and justice are not on the track. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2022 report card of the World Economic Forum, a projected 679 million people will still be without electricity in 2030 at current rates.
But there are inherent and other limitations to the sustainable development goals. Importantly, the SDGs have an inherent conflict between the human and natural systems. Also, the SDGs have not desirably aimed for the reduction of poverty, even though they have set targets for poverty reduction across the world. Also, the SDGs are criticized to be difficult to quantify, implement and monitor. Consequently, it is difficult to see the actual effects of the SDGs. The source(s) and the extent of financial resources and investments required for the SDGs are ambiguous. Also, the sustainable development goals have provided less emphasis on several aspects including social, political and cultural aspects, although they are important for the wellbeing of all.
There are also policy based, resources based and other challenges to their realization. The mobilization of resources and improving institutional capacity are important barriers to bringing the intended outcomes of the SDGs in many countries. Also, limited financial resources, an absence of good governance and a lack of political will are some other important challenges to the realization of the SDGs in many countries because governance is not up to the mark in many countries. Among other challenges, political instability and armed conflicts within and between and among states are important challenges in many countries. A lack of technical know-how, inadequate mechanisms and inadequate cooperation at the regional and global levels are also some other important challenges to sustainable development goals.
Even if there is a range of limitations and challenges, the sustainable development goals, rendered a transformative agenda that puts notable emphasis on the economic and other crucial aspects of the world and is almost universally adopted, people-centric and comprehensive, have provided an unprecedented and invaluable opportunity in the direction of global change with the prospects for remarkable development in economic, social and other aspects and the improvement of living standards across the world. But challenges and limitations not only have hindered the desirable achievements of the SDGs but also may put barriers to bringing further desirable outcomes. Thus, challenges and limitations need to be addressed to bring the desired outcomes of the SDGs across the world.
Definitely, effective policy based and other measures are needed to address the limitations and challenges of the SDG goals. But the institutional capacity needs to be improved in many countries. This is more important for less developed countries. Also, the formulation and implementation of effective plans and the mobilization of resources including financial resources are crucial for bringing the intended outcomes of the sustainable development goals. While all the SDG targets need to be given the deserving emphasis, more emphasis needs to be given to those SDGs goals that have less than intended achievements including decent work and economic growth and peace, justice and strong institutions, along with the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimension.
But global and regional cooperation is imperative to address challenges, implement the SDG targets and bring the intended outcomes of the sustainable development goals. The efforts of each country are also crucial. Definitely, it is the responsibility of each country to plan, bring the intended outcomes of the sustainable development goals and improve their conditions. The improvement in governance is imperative to successfully achieve the targets of SDGs in many countries. Also, the role of national, inter-governmental, non-governmental and private organizations is also imperative to realize the SDGs in many countries.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Magazine, its employees or any other authors. Views published are the sole responsibility of the author(s).
