THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- PRESS CONFERENCE ON LAUNCH OF 2025 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS REPORT

 

 

Dear members of the media.

 

Today, we launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. 

 

Under-Secretary-General Li will go through the details. 

 

But allow me to kick things off.

 

We are now ten years into our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

The report is a snapshot of where we stand today.

 

Since 2015, millions more people have gained access to electricity, clean cooking, and the internet.

 

Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — a significant increase from just a decade ago.

 

Access to education has continued to increase and more girls are staying in school.

 

Child marriage is declining.

 

Renewable energy capacity is growing, with developing countries leading the way.

 

And women’s representation is rising — across governments, businesses and societies.

 

These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results.

But let’s be clear: we are not where we need to be.

 

Only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress.

 

Nearly half are moving too slowly.

 

And 18 percent are going in reverse.

 

We are in a global development emergency.

 

An emergency measured in the over 800 million people still living in extreme poverty.

 

In intensifying climate impacts.

 

And in relentless debt service, draining the resources that countries need to invest in their people.

 

We must also recognize the deep linkages between under-development and conflicts.

 

That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East.

 

We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.

 

We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.

 

We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions. 

 

We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.

 

From the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

 

In the face of these challenges, the report we are launching today points the way to progress.

Transformational pathways — in food, energy, digital access, education, jobs, and climate — are our roadmap.

 

Progress in one area can multiply progress across all of them.

 

But we must move faster, and we must move together.

 

That means advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all.

 

Investing in women and girls as a central driver of progress.

 

Focusing on quality education and creating decent jobs and economic opportunities that leave no one behind.

 

Closing the digital divide and ensuring that technologies like artificial intelligence are used responsibly and inclusively.

 

And it means recognizing a fundamental fact.

 

Progress is impossible without unlocking financing at scale.

 

The recent Sevilla Commitment reflected a commitment to get the engine of development revving again.

 

Through reform of the international financial architecture, real action on debt relief, and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks so countries can better access capital at scale and at a reasonable cost.

 

We have more opportunities to drive these priorities forward — from the High-Level Political Forum, to the Second Food Systems Stocktake Summit, to the World Social Summit, and more.

 

We must maximize these moments for real commitments — and real delivery.

 

Today’s report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach.

 

But only if we act — with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve.

 

It’s a pleasure to be with you again and I will give the floor to my dear colleague Li.

 

*****

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations