1% For All^®️

1. No poverty

Reducing poverty, a major challenge, has seen a significant decline in extreme poverty since 1990, but millions still struggle to meet their basic needs. In 2015, 736 million people lived on less than $1.90 a day, facing inadequate access to food, clean water, and sanitation. Despite advancements in China and India, inequalities persist, especially for women, and are concentrated in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to eradicate poverty by 2030, requiring increased support for vulnerable populations, improved access to essential resources, and assistance for communities in crisis.

2. « Zero » hunger
Over the past two decades, the acceleration of economic growth and improvements in agricultural productivity have halved the number of undernourished people, enabling many developing countries to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Despite significant progress in Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean toward eliminating extreme hunger, 821 million people remained chronically undernourished in 2017, primarily due to environmental degradation. More than 90 million children under the age of 5 are severely underweight, with rising undernutrition and food insecurity in Africa and South America. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by 2030, ensuring universal access to nutritious and sufficient food. This requires the promotion of sustainable agriculture, support for small farmers, equal access to resources, and international cooperation to boost agricultural productivity.

3. Good health and well-being
Significant progress has been made in the fight against major diseases, improving life expectancy and reducing infant and maternal mortality, with notable advances against HIV and malaria. The 2030 Agenda, highlighting the importance of health for sustainable development, addresses current challenges: socio-economic inequalities, urbanization, climate change, persistent and emerging diseases, and the need for universal health coverage to achieve SDG 3. However, progress toward health-related SDGs remains uneven, revealing significant disparities in life expectancy and advances that mask inequalities within countries. A multisectoral response that is gender-sensitive and rights-based is crucial to address these inequalities, strengthen inclusive governance, and establish robust health systems.

4. Quality education
Since 2000, universal primary education has made significant strides, with an enrollment rate reaching 91% in 2015 and a halving of the number of out-of-school children. Literacy and school enrollment among girls have also increased significantly. However, poverty, conflicts, and other crises hinder these advancements, especially in Western Asia and North Africa, despite a marked improvement in Sub-Saharan Africa. Inequalities persist, particularly between children from disadvantaged and affluent backgrounds, as well as between rural and urban areas. The goal is to ensure free primary and secondary education for all by 2030, promote equal access to vocational training, and eliminate gender and income disparities to guarantee access to higher education for everyone.

5. Gender equality
Eliminating discrimination against women and girls is crucial for sustainable progress, fostering economic growth. The UNDP has supported gender equality for two decades, improving girls' access to education. Despite more women entering the workforce, inequalities persist, including violence, unequal domestic burdens, and workplace discrimination. Climate change, conflicts, and migration exacerbate their situation. Granting women equal rights to economic resources and encouraging their decision-making participation are essential for enhanced gender equality.

6. Clean water and sanitation

More than 40% of the global population is affected by water scarcity, a crisis that is intensifying with climate change. Despite improved access to sanitation for 2.1 billion people since 1990, water shortages remain critical on all continents. The number of countries experiencing water stress, exacerbated by drought and desertification, could affect one in four people with recurring shortages by 2050. To achieve universal access to affordable drinking water by 2030, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure, sanitation, and hygiene promotion while protecting aquatic ecosystems. This involves providing basic access to over 800 million people and improving service quality for two billion individuals. In 2015, 4.5 billion people lacked access to safe water, and 2.3 billion were without basic sanitation.

7.  Affordable and clean energy

From 2000 to 2018, access to electricity increased from 78% to 90%, reducing the number of people without electricity to 789 million. In the face of growing demand for affordable energy and the climate impacts of fossil fuels, it is crucial to invest in renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and ensure universal access to energy to achieve SDG 7 by 2030. Modernizing infrastructure and technologies for clean energy will boost growth and protect the environment.

8. Decent work and economic growth

Over the past 25 years, extreme poverty among workers has significantly decreased, despite the 2008 crisis. The middle class in developing countries has tripled, accounting for more than 34% of employees between 1991 and 2015. However, with the recovery, inequalities are worsening, and unemployment exceeded 204 million in 2015, according to the International Labour Organization. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to boost economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, targeting full employment and decent work for all by 2030.

9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
Investing in infrastructure and innovation promotes growth and development, which are essential given the increasing urbanization that requires more efficient transportation and clean energy. Technological advancements offer sustainable solutions to economic and ecological challenges, such as employment and energy efficiency. It is vital to support sustainable industry and research for sustainable development. Access to the Internet remains limited for over 4 billion people, primarily in developing countries, creating a gap that is crucial to bridge in order to promote equal access to information and stimulate innovation.

10. Reduced inequalities

Income inequalities are worsening, with the richest 10% capturing nearly 40% of global income, compared to only 2% to 7% for the poorest 10%. This trend, exacerbated in developing countries with an 11% increase due to demographics, varies by region, with Europe being the least affected and the Middle East the most impacted. In light of these growing disparities, it is crucial to implement policies aimed at supporting the disadvantaged and promoting equal opportunities, regardless of individual differences. Addressing this global issue requires strengthened financial regulation, support for development, and safe migration to mitigate these disparities.

11. Sustainable cities and communities

More than half of the global population already lives in urban areas, a figure that is expected to reach two-thirds, or 6.5 billion people, by 2050. In the face of accelerated urban expansion, primarily in developing countries, and the emergence of megacities and slums, it is imperative to transform our cities to make them sustainable. This transformation involves thriving careers and businesses, safe and accessible housing, and social and economic resilience, requiring investments in public transportation, green spaces, and improved, inclusive urban management.

12. Responsible consumption and production

To reconcile growth and sustainability, it is crucial to minimize our ecological impact by revising our production and consumption practices. Agriculture, the main consumer of water, accounts for 70% of our freshwater resources. Optimal management of natural resources and a reduction in toxic waste are vital. It is also fundamental to encourage recycling and waste reduction among all economic actors while promoting sustainable consumption habits in developing countries by 2030. Halving global food waste is essential for improving the efficiency of supply chains, promoting food security, and steering our economy toward a more rational use of resources.

13. Climate action measures

In the face of the devastating effects of climate change, with a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 and natural disasters costing hundreds of billions of dollars annually, the urgency to act is clear. Between 1998 and 2017, climate events caused 1.3 million deaths and 4.4 billion injuries. A global effort to raise $100 billion annually is crucial to help developing countries adapt and promote sustainable development. By supporting vulnerable areas, we move closer to achieving SDG 13 and strengthen disaster risk reduction, resource management, and human security. Strong political will and technological solutions can still limit warming to two degrees Celsius, necessitating immediate collective action.

14. Life below water

Humanity, along with more than three billion people, depends on the oceans for their survival, which are impacted by overexploitation of resources, pollution, and acidification due to human activities. The Sustainable Development Goals propose strategies for sustainable management, protecting marine ecosystems from pollution and mitigating acidification, which are essential for preserving ocean health in the face of climate change.

15. Life on land

Human life, dependent on the Earth and oceans, derives 80% of its food from plants and relies on agriculture for its economy and development. Forests, covering 30% of the planet, are essential for millions of species, air and water quality, and are crucial in the fight against climate change. However, 13 million hectares of forest are lost annually, exacerbating the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares and primarily affecting disadvantaged communities. Despite protecting 15% of land, biodiversity suffers from the illegal trade of nearly 7,000 species, threatening security and fueling conflict and corruption. It is vital to take action to preserve our natural habitats and biodiversity, which are essential for food and water security, combating climate change, and achieving global peace.

16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Peace, stability, human rights, and effective governance are crucial for sustainable development in a divided world. While some enjoy security and prosperity, others suffer from ongoing conflicts. It is essential to take action against this.

Violence and insecurity seriously harm economic development and cause long-term suffering. It is imperative to protect the most vulnerable and combat violence, crime, and exploitation.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to reduce violence and promote sustainable solutions with the help of governments and communities. Prioritizing the rule of law, human rights, controlling arms trafficking, and increasing the involvement of developing countries in global governance are key steps toward this goal.

17. Partnerships for the goals

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, international cooperation and robust partnerships are crucial. Despite stable public development aid, which fell short of the $147 billion target in 2017, the need remains, exacerbated by humanitarian crises and support for growth and trade in developing countries. In an interconnected world that promotes sharing and innovation, it is vital to coordinate debt management assistance and promote investments in the least developed countries. Strengthening North-South and South-South cooperation, supporting national plans, encouraging international trade, and increasing exports from developing countries are essential for fair global trade that benefits everyone.