The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) issued its annual statistical publication for tracking progress towards achieving the SDGs by 2030. Reflecting UNCTAD’s mandate, SDG Pulse updates on the evolution of key indicators relevant to trade, investment, financing for development (FfD), debt, transport, and technology spanning SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 10 (reduced inequalities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 14 (life below water), 15 (life on land), 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals).

The report also updates on progress in the development of new concepts and methodologies for SDG indicators for which UNCTAD is a global custodian agency and showcases UNCTAD’s support to member States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This year’s report’s ‘In Focus’ section reflects on the costs of achieving the SDGs to help better target efforts by identifying where financing is needed the most.

The data presented in the report reveal that multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the climate emergency, “are having a devastating effect on progress towards the SDGs.” The report’s key findings include:

• With about one in three countries worldwide facing a high risk of a fiscal crisis, soaring debt levels are holding back progress on many Goals, particularly in developing countries.
• The funding available per person in a food crisis fell by 30% in the period from 2017-2021, and the fight against hunger is losing ground.
• With global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continuing to climb, climate resilience is at risk. Vulnerable nations, such as least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS), are in jeopardy due to high energy prices and disproportionate risks from climate-related disasters that the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) projects will increase 40% between 2015 and 2030.
• While economic diversification remains a challenge for many developing countries, digital technologies hold promise.

The report’s online version allows users to interact with the statistics, charts, and graphs. It can be read by goal and indicator and by theme. The themes in this year’s edition of SDG Pulse align with the four transformations identified by UNCTAD’s 2021 intergovernmental meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados: multilateralism and trade; development finance; diversification; and sustainability and resilience.

SDG Pulse, now in its fifth edition, was released on 27 June 2023. [Publication: SDG Pulse 2023] [UNCTAD News Story]