Time for world to put SDGs back on track

Editor's note: The UN Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to eradicate poverty, protect the environment, fight climate change, and ensure that people can enjoy peace and prosperity. China will continue to work with all parties to advance the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and bring benefits to people of all countries. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.

The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a crucial milestone in the journey toward achieving the 2030 Agenda and the urgent need to put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals back on track. From Sept 19 to 23, world leaders will gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all."

A UN report in July said that halfway to the deadline for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, only 15 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals' targets are on track, 48 percent moderately or severely off track, and 37 percent in stagnation or decline, according to a preliminary assessment of about 140 targets for which data were available.