The UN has warned that the world is not on track to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The goals were created in 2015 to improve our lives. They include ending poverty, improving education, reducing gender inequality, and tackling climate change. The UN reported that only one third of the goals are on track to be met. Around half are progressing too slowly. Wars, climate change, slow economic growth, rising debt, and other global shocks are making progress difficult. The UN has asked countries to increase their efforts in the run-up to 2030.

The UN did report signs of progress. It said one billion more people have access to drinking water. Internet connectivity has also increased to about 74 per cent of the world's population. However, many serious challenges remain. There is a huge lack of progress on gender equality. A UN spokesperson said: "At the current rate of progress, gender equality would take 171 years to achieve." Another official said countries needed to invest more in infrastructure. The UN said the goals could still be achieved, but faster action was needed.