UN Description

Progress towards Goal 7 has been notable: from 2015 to 2023, global electricity access rose from 87 to 92 per cent, access to clean cooking fuels increased by 16 per cent, and renewable electricity continued to grow. However, progress is slowing –renewables lag in the transport and heating sectors, and energy efficiency gains have stalled. Moreover, only a small portion of global energy investment reaches the areas most in need. Achieving Goal 7 will require a significant boost in investment in emerging and developing economies, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa, to expand access to electricity and clean cooking, scale up renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks.

The United Nations energy compacts are designed to facilitate the clean energy transition and support the development of technical, policy and governance solutions to accelerate the achievement of Goal 7, including through the work of the Council on Engineers for the Energy Transition, launched under the auspices of the Secretary-General. The Just Energy Transition Partnership also provides support to countries.

UN Description

Urbanization continues to accelerate, with more than half the global population now living in cities, projected to be nearly 70 per cent by 2050. However, cities face mounting challenges, including rising urban poverty, growing slum populations, inadequate public transport and threats to infrastructure from disasters. To advance Goal 11, cities need integrated strategies focused on affordable and inclusive housing, participatory urban planning, heritage preservation and stronger local governance, all supported by robust disaggregated data. Initiatives aimed at accelerating progress on Goal 11 include the Local2030 Coalition, which drives action on the Goals at the local level by bringing together United Nations entities, local governments and other partners. 

UN Description

Human-induced climate change reached alarming new levels in 2024, with some impacts already irreversible for centuries. Global temperatures broke records and temporarily exceeded the 1.5°C threshold, highlighting the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Extreme weather events – including tropical cyclones, floods and droughts – led to the highest number of new displacements in 16 years, worsening food crises and bringing massive economic losses and social instability. Nonetheless, with bold action, limiting long-term global warming to 1.5°C is still possible. Every fraction of a degree matters in reducing risks, lowering costs and preventing catastrophic and irreversible damage to people and the planet. At the twenty-ninth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, States set a new collective quantified goal on climate finance and completed guidance to fully operationalize article 6 of the Paris Agreement on carbon markets, along with making additional commitments on mitigation, adaptation and the operationalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. 

UN Description

The ocean economy supports millions globally but faces intensifying threats from overfishing, pollution and climate change. Despite a decade of conservation efforts, rising CO₂ emissions continue to drive ocean acidification and damage marine ecosystems. Strengthened enforcement has not sufficiently curbed overfishing and illegal practices that deplete fish stocks. Small-scale fisheries have gained support but require additional protection. Safeguarding oceans for future generations demands urgent scaling up of investment in sustainable fishing practices, comprehensive marine conservation and enhanced international cooperation. The United Nations Conferences to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development have galvanized global action to protect the ocean, in line with Goal 14.

UN Description

Global forest cover is shrinking, conservation of key biodiversity areas has stalled, and species extinction is accelerating. Desertification, land and soil degradation, drought and deforestation are further threatening ecosystems and development prospects. While more countries are adopting legal frameworks for biodiversity and environmental protection, overall progress on Goal 15 remains slow, with significant gaps in safeguarding healthy land and ecosystems vital to humanity. The conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa and to the Convention on Biological Diversity have helped to mobilize resources and advance global objectives to support conservation and restoration, sustainable forest management and nature-based solutions that promote resilience, livelihoods and inclusion. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, has renewed momentum for implementation.

UN Description

More frequent, intense and prolonged conflicts around the world are shattering people’s lives, communities and futures. Violence against women, children and marginalized groups remains widespread. Casualties among children and women in armed conflicts quadrupled in the biennium 2023–2024 compared with the previous biennium. While there was progress in accreditations of human rights institutions, many political systems fail to represent their populations fully, leading to declining trust. High pretrial detention rates and limited access to justice highlight the need for inclusive governance and rule of law. Achieving lasting peace requires an urgent global commitment to good governance, human rights, equal justice access and accountable institutions, emphasizing diplomacy and dialogue. Under the Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development of UNDP, support is provided for integrated initiatives to strengthen national institutions, promote accountability and ensure compliance with human rights obligations. It enhances justice and security mechanisms by providing legal services and advice, building the capacity of prosecutors, police and legal aid providers, and facilitating access to justice for internally displaced persons and survivors of gender-based violence. In addition, the Programme assists Governments in developing national action plans on business and human rights and advances people-centred policing approaches.

UN Description

Global progress on Goal 17 has shown both advancement and persistent challenges over the past decade. While financial flows to developing countries have increased, driven by both official and private finance, record-high debt servicing costs in 2023 strain low- and middle-income economies. This is compounded by a $4 trillion annual investment gap for Goal achievement in developing countries. Access to information and communications technology has grown steadily, although digital divides remain stark, in particular in lower-income regions. While data systems and national statistical capacities have improved, many countries still struggle to secure the necessary funding to fully track and implement the Goals, slowing progress in key areas. Strengthened support and renewed global cooperation are critical to bridge these divides and accelerate Goal progress. Through initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goal stimulus, the Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund, the Technology Facilitation Mechanism and the global indicator framework for the Sustainable Development Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations is helping to build partnerships to close financing gaps, expand access to science, innovation and data, and support developing countries – alongside international financial institutions – in unlocking capital and investment for implementing the Goals and accelerating inclusive progress on the 2030 Agenda.