The INPS Japan article reports on a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at which leaders from various countries pointed out that reality has not caught up with the promise of the "right to development." The Declaration defines development as an inalienable human right and puts people at the center of development.
Secretary-General Guterres described the SDGs as a pathway to "leave no one behind." According to the article, only 36% of the 139 SDG targets are on track or have made some progress. Inequality, food insecurity, debt, conflict and the climate crisis were among the challenges raised.
The President of the General Assembly said progress should be measured not only by the total amount of economic growth but by whether people can live with dignity and shape their own futures. The High Commissioner for Human Rights also touched on imbalances in the international financial system and the scale of military spending, and called for a return to the principles of international cooperation.
Key points
- Only 36% of SDG targets are on track or have made some progress
- The debt burden on developing countries is squeezing education and health care
- A shared understanding that development cannot be separated from human rights, the environment and peace
Why this news is worth your attention
Development is not only about becoming wealthier; it is a question of whether each person can take part and benefit. This perspective matters when thinking about the work of citizens and NGOs involved in international cooperation.
International discussions and the work of NGOs in the field are connected. This article is a chance to look at the lives behind the big numbers.
Editor's comment
The debate about what "development" really means also speaks to our own lives and choices.
You can find the detailed remarks and figures in the original article. Please give it a read.