Since the 2015 adoption of the 2030 Agenda, sustained policy investments and international cooperation have significantly improved lives.

Global progress toward the 2030 Agenda faces a critical juncture, as a new report reveals that only 36 per cent of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are currently on track. With nearly half of the goals stalling and 15 per cent regressing, the urgency for a strategic pivot is clear as the deadline approaches.

At the recent release, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed affirmed that the SDG framework remains robust, despite the slow progress. She emphasized three essential commitments: advancing gender equality as a primary enabler, accelerating the global transition to renewable energy, and prioritizing development investments over rising military spending. Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua underscored that sustainable growth is a shared endeavour, not a zero-sum game.

Since the 2015 adoption of the 2030 Agenda, sustained policy investments and international cooperation have significantly improved lives. The 2026 report highlights that focused efforts have yielded measurable gains across diverse regions, demonstrating that the foundational strategies implemented over the last decade have indeed delivered tangible, life-changing results for billions.

Success stories are evident in essential infrastructure and health. Nearly 1 billion people gained access to safely managed drinking water, while 1.2 billion obtained improved sanitation. Furthermore, new HIV infections dropped by 30 per cent since 2015, AIDS-related deaths fell by 35 per cent, and electricity now reaches 92 per cent of the global population.

Finally, internet access has surged from 40 to 74 per cent, and social protection now covers over half the global population. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains optimistic, asserting that with precise data-driven action, the original 2030 vision is still within reach if nations intensify their collective commitment.