Scaling Up or Losing Steam? Parliamentarians Debate the Future of the SDGs
February 13, 2025
Geneva – Parliamentarians from around the world gathered in Geneva this week to debate the future of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs are a set of 17 ambitious goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
The debate comes at a critical time. The world is facing a number of challenges, including climate change, inequality, and conflict. These challenges are threatening progress towards the SDGs.
The parliamentarians discussed a number of ways to scale up the implementation of the SDGs. These included:
- Increasing investment in sustainable development
- Developing new policies and programs
- Strengthening partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society organizations
- Engaging the public in the SDGs
The parliamentarians also discussed the importance of monitoring progress towards the SDGs. They agreed that a strong monitoring system is essential to ensure that the SDGs are being implemented effectively and that no one is being left behind.
The debate concluded with a call for action. The parliamentarians agreed that more needs to be done to scale up the implementation of the SDGs. They called on governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to work together to create a sustainable future for all.
Background
The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs are a set of 17 ambitious goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
The SDGs are:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- Reduced inequality
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals
The SDGs are a call to action for all countries to work together to create a sustainable future for all.
Challenges
The world is facing a number of challenges, including climate change, inequality, and conflict. These challenges are threatening progress towards the SDGs.
- Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing the world today. Climate change is already having a negative impact on human health, food security, and water supplies. It is also leading to more extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and storms.
- Inequality is another major challenge. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider in many countries. This is making it harder for people to escape poverty and improve their lives.
- Conflict is a major obstacle to sustainable development. Conflict destroys lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. It also makes it difficult for people to access basic services, such as healthcare and education.
Call to Action
The parliamentarians who gathered in Geneva this week called for action to scale up the implementation of the SDGs. They called on governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to work together to create a sustainable future for all.
The parliamentarians agreed that more needs to be done to:
- Increase investment in sustainable development
- Develop new policies and programs
- Strengthen partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society organizations
- Engage the public in the SDGs
The parliamentarians also called for a strong monitoring system to ensure that the SDGs are being implemented effectively and that no one is being left behind.
The SDGs are a roadmap to a better future for all. They can help us to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. But we need to act now to scale up the implementation of the SDGs.
Additional Information
- For more information on the SDGs, please visit the United Nations website: sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs
- To read the full report of the parliamentarians’ debate, please visit the Inter-Parliamentary Union website: www.ipu.org/resources/publications/reports/2025-02/scaling-up-or-losing-steam-parliamentarians-debate-the-future-of-the-sdgs
Scaling up or losing steam? Parliamentarians debate the future of the SDGs
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