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The United Nations has warned that the world is not on track to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The goals were implemented in 2015 to improve people's lives and protect the planet. They include eliminating poverty, improving education, reducing gender inequality, and tackling climate change. However, the UN has reported that only about one third of the goals are currently on track to be met. Around half are progressing too slowly. Wars, climate change, slow economic growth, rising debt, financing gaps, and other global shocks are making progress difficult. The UN has called on countries to increase their efforts in the run-up to 2030.
The UN did report signs of progress. It noted that one billion more people now have access to drinking water. Internet connectivity has also increased, from around 40 per cent of the world's population in 2015 to about 74 per cent today. Despite these improvements, many serious challenges remain. In particular, there is a considerable 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 governments needed to invest more money in infrastructure and institutions. The official also wanted countries to cooperate more. The UN said the goals could still be achieved, but much faster action was needed.
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