Author(s)

Abstract

The world is facing a confluence of crises that threaten the very survival of humanity. All of these crises – and ways to prevent and navigate them – are addressed holistically in the SDGs. We ignore them at our own peril. 

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 charts progress towards realizing the 17 Goals. It is a collaborative effort between the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and more than 50 international and regional agencies, based on millions of data points provided by over 200 countries and areas. This year’s report paints a particularly sobering picture. Using the latest available data and estimates, it reveals that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is in grave jeopardy due to multiple, cascading and intersecting crises. COVID-19, climate change and conflict predominate. Each of them, and their complex interactions, impact all of the Goals, creating spin-off crises in food and nutrition, health, education, the environment, and peace and security. To put the world on track to sustainability will require concerted action on a global scale.