Published on: 2026-04-20
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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Conor Lennon
Goals in the field of sustainable development
The increase in the number of conflicts, the climate crisis, and the reduction of development financing are intensifying pressure on the poorest and most vulnerable countries, pushing back development goal achievements further and further.
This is stated in the new UN report “Financing Sustainable Development – 2026”, presented on Monday. It notes that four years before the established deadline for implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda for the period up to 2030, progress has stalled, and in some cases has even reversed against the backdrop of the consequences of the pandemic.COVID-19, growth of geopolitical tension and intensification of climatic impacts.
According to the report, development financing came under serious pressure at a critical moment: in a quarter of developing countries, per capita income remains below the pre-pandemic level, while about 3.4 billion people live in countries where more resources are spent on debt servicing than on healthcare or education.
The volume of official development assistance has sharply decreased, foreign investments continue to decline, and many countries are experiencing difficulties in mobilizing sufficient tax revenues to finance basic services.
At the same time, global trade tensions and rising tariffs are increasing economic pressure, especially on the least developed countries.
Signs of stability
Despite gloomy forecasts, the report notes signs of sustainability. In 2025, global economic growth surpassed expectations, trade between developing countries (the so-called “South-South” trade) has significantly expanded over the last two decades, and investments in renewable energy sources reached a record level — $2.2 trillion in 2024, which is twice the amount invested in fossil fuels.
However, the authors emphasize that without urgent measures, this progress will not be sustainable. According to estimates, the annual funding gap in developing countries reaches four trillion dollars. The report contains a call to accelerate the fulfillment of the Seville commitments (the 2025 global agreement on expanding development financing) as the most realistic and only way to return to the previous trajectory.
Key priorities include increasing investment, strengthening multilateral cooperation, modernizing the international financial system with the aim of enhancing the role of developing countries, as well as increasing resilience to future shocks.
Without the renewal of global cooperation and the manifestation of political will, the authors of the report warn, achieving the Goals of sustainable development and building a more just future is impossible.
War in the Middle East
Speaking on Monday at the UN headquarters, the Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterresstates that the conflict in the Middle East increases risks for development.
“We observe in real time the impact of the war on the cost of fuel, fertilizers, and food,” he said, “as well as on trade, transport, and tourism.”
According to him, rising energy prices, slowing economic growth, and currency depreciation further increase the debt burden on developing countries. The UN chief has identified three key directions for reducing the financing deficit, which today is estimated at four trillion dollars.
Firstly, he proposes to “accelerate the operation of financial mechanisms” – to utilize the potential of multifaceted banking development and create new public-private financial initiatives. Secondly, to reform the debt management system, including mechanisms for its easing and the “reinterpretation” of credit rating systems. And thirdly, he insists on the necessity to conduct a reform of the international financial architecture so that it reflects the modern structure of the global economy.
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