Call to Action: Addressing Stagnation and Inequality in SDG Progress

As a business leader and advocate committed to driving progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), I eagerly anticipated the insights from the SDG Report 2024.

While I remain hopeful, I am deeply disappointed that, on average, only 16 percent of the SDG targets are on track to be met globally by 2030. The remaining 84 percent show limited progress or, even worse, a reversal of progress. This stark reality is a powerful call to action: when we know better, we must do better.

I am particularly proud to highlight the remarkable progress made by countries such as Poland (from #29 to #10) have secured positions in the top 10 of the SDG rankings and Slovenia inched up by to the 11th spot from #12 in 2019. Their dedicated efforts in addressing critical areas such as climate action, quality education, and sustainable economic growth make me hopeful. Having lived and worked in both countries makes me reflect on what is possible.

It is disappointing to see that several countries I have looked to as role models, including Canada and Switzerland, have fallen in the rankings since 2019. This decline signals a clear need for renewed focus and intensified efforts. As a Canadian citizen and long-time Swiss resident, I strongly believe it is crucial for us to take notice and act decisively.

Key Points from the SDG Report 2024

• Global Poverty Reduction: Significant strides have been made in reducing global poverty rates, yet over 700 million people still live in extreme poverty.
• Climate Action: While there have been advancements in renewable energy adoption, carbon emissions remain a critical issue. Immediate and scalable solutions are needed to combat climate change.
• Health and Well-being: Progress in global health has been noteworthy, with increased life expectancy and reduced child mortality rates. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems that must be addressed.
• Quality Education: Access to education has improved, but there are still significant gaps in educational quality and equity, particularly in low-income regions.
• Gender Equality: While more women are participating in the workforce and political spheres, gender inequality remains pervasive. Efforts to promote gender equality must be amplified.

Call to Action: More Cooperation and Action Needed

While we celebrate the achievements highlighted in the SDG Report 2024, it is clear that our journey is far from over. We must intensify our efforts. This report serves as a clarion call for action: governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals must collaborate more effectively to address these pressing challenges.

My continued focus will be on areas within my expertise: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Prioritizing these goals will not only drive advancements in their respective areas but also catalyze broader progress across multiple SDGs,

The report also highlights the need for enhanced global cooperation. Strengthening multilateral efforts necessitates improved metrics monitoring and, as I consistently advocate, modern and integrated leadership required for systems change and breakthroughs.

I call on exmaples of integrated and bold leadership, like one displayed by Leonore Gewessler who recently tipped the balance in favor of passing the EU Nature Restoration Law. Her words resonated with me, and I share them here: 'When the healthy and happy life of future generations is at stake, courageous decisions are needed."

More about the report here: https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings