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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)¹ were introduced in 2015 as a comprehensive blueprint for addressing global challenges related to people, the planet, and the advancement of prosperity, universal peace, and freedom. Comprising 17 overarching goals and supported by 169 specific targets, the ambitious agenda was designed to guide worldwide efforts focused on sustainable development through to 2030. As we approach the midway point of this timeline, however, it is becoming increasingly apparent that substantial progress towards achieving these goals remains elusive.

Despite unanimous support from all 193 member countries, tangible advancement in the realization of the SDGs has been limited. Even SDG 13, focusing on climate action, arguably the most urgent and prominent goal, faces formidable obstacles. It commands significant attention from both the private sector and governments, particularly in the context of our collective commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, yet the jury is still out as to whether this goal can in fact be met.

The challenges of meeting the SDGs are multifaceted. Issues such as inequality, resource scarcity, healthcare disparities, and political hurdles have created complex barriers in our pursuit of sustainable development. Additionally, the interdependence of these goals means that a shortcoming in one area can impact progress across the entire agenda. As we reflect on our journey toward the 2030 deadline, it is evident that concerted and innovative efforts are required to address these challenges.

One of the primary challenges in achieving the SDGs is the persistence of inequality within and between countries. Economic disparities, conflict, unequal access to education and healthcare, discrimination based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status hinder progress towards many of the goals. Tackling inequality is not only a goal in and of itself (SDG10), but also a means to achieve other goals.

Arguably however, one of the primary impediments to achieving the SDGs lies in the limited flow of capital from developed to developing countries. According to Interpeace,²Â the present situation underscores a stark reality: approximately seventy-five percent of the world’s most impoverished populations, as well as those in dire need of SDG driven interventions, reside in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Within these regions, which encompass 1.9 billion individuals, there exists a pressing demand for both private sector investments and government funding. Nevertheless, the current landscape reveals a concerning discrepancy, as only a fraction of the requisite capital finds its way to these critical needs.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development³ World Investment Report 2023⁴ finds that developing countries face a widening annual investment deficit as they work to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The gap has grown to approximately USD 4 trillion per year, up from USD 2.5 trillion in 2015 when the SDGs were adopted. The report finds that global foreign direct investment fell 12% in 2022 and while allocation to SDG-investment sectors like renewables has nearly tripled since 2015, the lion’s share of the money has gone to developed countries.

To meet the SDG agenda, we must find an answer to this issue. We must unlock the capital that is desperately needed. To do this it is essential that the private sector and governments collaborate with multilateral organizations to establish robust frameworks, set high standards, and create the policy settings required for capital to flow, such as those being developed by Finance for Peace.⁵

We also need financial institutions to develop the investment vehicles, including the impact investing vehicles that will enable targeted investment in developing countries. These measures are crucial for mitigating investment risks, building trust, and fostering global peace and prosperity.

The SDGs represent not only a global aspiration but also an economic and social imperative. Achieving these goals necessitates collective and collaborative efforts to innovate and implement effective solutions. The halfway mark serves as a critical juncture for recalibrating our strategies, understanding what is and is not working, mobilizing our resources, and reinvigorating our commitments to a more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world.

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The author is grateful for feedback from: Jackie Bauer, Mike Ryan.