Published on: 2026-09-18
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 18, 2026 UN
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared commitment of all countries. This was stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at a special event dedicated to the SDGs. He reminded that the goals are based on the UN Charter and aimed at creating a healthier, safer, and more prosperous society. The main tasks include eradicating poverty and hunger, fighting inequality, and protecting the planet.
“The Sustainable Development Goals were not handed down from above. They are a promise developed by member states and accepted as a shared commitment by every government,” said the UN chief.
Since the implementation of these goals, certain successes have been achieved, including reductions in child and maternal mortality, prevention of millions of HIV infections, and expanded access to education, social protection, and clean energy. However, the pandemic and other crises have wiped out years of progress.
Currently, global development faces serious obstacles, including conflicts, growing geopolitical mistrust, the climate crisis, and discrimination against women. Developing countries remain hostage to debt, while global spending on wars continues to rise.
The first priority area of work aimed at achieving the SDGs, named by the UN Secretary-General, is combating inequality. This requires investments in quality education, food security, decent work, accessible healthcare, and reliable social protection systems.
The second key aspect, according to the Secretary-General, is protecting the planet and developing renewable energy. Countries rich in relevant resources should be provided with tools to produce clean energy and technologies, and the management of critical mineral extraction must be responsible.
The third step concerns financing sustainable development and reforming the international financial system. Multilateral development banks should scale up their work by attracting more private investments and providing developing countries with effective debt relief assistance.
“Developing countries must have a much stronger voice and broader representation in the international financial system, which is in need of reform. And the debt burden should serve development goals, not stifle them,” Guterres said. The fourth direction of work, the UN chief summarized, is accelerating progress using existing tools, including artificial intelligence and inclusive trade. Strengthening partnerships and intensifying efforts to establish peace as a foundation of sustainable development also play an important role.
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