COVID-19 is taking world away from SDGs: UN chief

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that COVID-19 is taking the world further away from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Even before the coronavirus crisis hit, the world was not on track to deliver the goals by 2030, Guterres told the opening of the ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which meets to review progress on the SDGs.

"At a time when we desperately need to leap ahead, COVID-19 could set us back years and even decades, leaving countries with massive fiscal and growth challenges. The crisis is taking us further away from the SDGs," he said.

COVID-19 struck as the world was already facing many challenges: unacceptably high levels of poverty, a rapidly worsening climate emergency, persistent gender inequality, and massive gaps in financing, he noted.

Close to 13 million people have been infected by the virus, over 560,000 have died. Working hours equivalent to some 400 million jobs were lost in the second quarter of 2020. The world is experiencing the sharpest decline in per capita income since 1870. Between 70 million and 100 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty. Some 265 million people could face acute food insecurity by year's end, doubling the number at risk before the crisis, said Guterres.

"I am not here today to tell you that everything will be OK. We need to be honest with ourselves. The COVID-19 crisis is having devastating impacts because of our past and present failures."

Guterres asked for concrete, bold and implementable solutions inspired by the SDGs. "Now we must rise to meet the moment. We all recognize that the world cannot go back to the previous so-called normal."

He asked countries to renew their determination to enact a multilateral response that gears recovery efforts toward the SDGs.

"From the awakening that this crisis is providing, we have a chance to create an inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism. We can also break from the damaging assumptions and approaches of the past -- from how we work to how we learn, where we live to what we consume -- and take great leaps forward in doing so."

Guterres reiterated his appeal for a rescue package amounting to at least 10 percent of the global economy, and for mechanisms of solidarity to ensure that the developing world can benefit. He said he would continue to push this effort forward.

The SDGs are 17 global goals intended to be achieved by the year 2030, including zero hunger, gender equality, quality education, decent work and economic growth. They were designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all."

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the forum that in the face of the grave and complex situation, all parties should effectively combat COVID-19, promote sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and growth, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with confidence, resolve and intensified efforts.

It has been proven that solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon for humankind to tackle global challenges. There is no exception for implementing the 2030 Agenda. Countries need to work in solidarity toward a community with a shared future. That is the only way to overcome the difficulties and achieve common development, said Zhang.

"We must put people at the center of our efforts, and focus on major goals and targets of sustainable development, including poverty reduction, hunger eradication, health, education, employment and infrastructure, to ensure and enhance the well-being of the people. Special attention should be given to the difficulties and challenges of developing countries in the midst of COVID-19 to help them recover better and faster," Zhang said.

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, countries should make joint efforts to reduce tariffs, remove barriers, and ensure unimpeded trade so as to boost confidence in economic recovery, he said.

"We should follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, strive to improve global governance, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries, so as to create a favorable external environment for developing countries," Zhang said.

Thanks to a people-centered approach, China has been making enormous efforts and progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This year, China will lift all its rural poor out of poverty, achieve moderate prosperity, and meet the goals and targets of poverty reduction in the 2030 Agenda 10 years ahead of schedule, he said.

Since the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, China has been sparing no effort in saving lives and protecting people's health and has achieved good results so far. Having brought the outbreak under control, China is working hard to promote recovery, minimize the impact, and attain its poverty reduction targets as scheduled, he said.

The stable recovery of the Chinese economy will continue to inject impetus to the world economy and bring opportunities to the development of other countries, Zhang said.