Pandemic Puts Progress on UN Sustainable Development Goals in Jeopardy

The COVID-19 epidemic has triggered a global crisis with far-reaching effects for economies, cultures, and individuals. The pandemics consequences have not been felt equally, and some of the most disadvantaged communities and countries are at risk of falling even further behind in their efforts to fulfil the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The pandemic drastically weakened the organisation's ability to collect data and distribute resources to the affected countries. The UN in its 2022 annual report on the progress of SDGS declared "More than 4 years of progress against poverty has been erased by COVID-19".

Through different programmes and efforts under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations (UN) has been aiming to reduce poverty. The notable acts made by the UN are: 

• No Poverty

• Zero Hunger

• Good Health and Well-being

• Quality Education 

• Gender Equality 

These are just a few examples of the various initiatives taken by the UN under the SDGS, but these were the most affected by the pandemic.

The pandemic was a time of great political and economic change since it altered the way humans interact with each other. The sudden change required the organisations to change the way they conduct their operations and solve new challenges. The sudden change required the organisations to change the way they conduct their operations and 

The pandemic has led to widespread job losses and reduced income which has pushed millions into poverty and increased inequality. "The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered one of the worst jobs crises since the Great Depression. There is a real danger that the crisis will increase poverty and widen inequalities, with the impact felt for years to come. Countries now need to do everything they can to stop this jobs crisis from turning into a social crisis. Reconstructing a better and more resilient labour market is an essential investment in the future and future generations."

The pandemic has also caused many countries to close their borders and put travel restrictions which led to supply chain disruptions and led food shortages around the globe. The sudden influx of patients overwhelmed the healthcare systems in many countries leading to a shortage of essential medical supplies and personnel. 

Many schools and colleges were also closed during the pandemic due to which the overall quality of education fell drastically." According to ASER (Annual Status of Education Report), they have demonstrated with verifiable data that parents, even in rural areas, have shown full interest in their children’s education despite the minimal resources available to them. As a result, this demonstrates a promising aspect of the educational system in terms of raising government awareness to meet their demands."

Some of the challenges faced by the UN during the pandemic. 

• Lack of resources: Implementing the SDGs will require significant financial and institutional resources, which are not always readily available in many countries, especially during the pandemic due to all the supply chain disruptions and market changes. 

• Resistance to change: Changing the status quo often meets resistance from those who benefit from the existing systems, making it hard to implement the goals. 

• Lack of political will: The successful implementation of the SDGs requires strong political will and government commitment, which is not always present in many countries. Which was even more difficult during the pandemic because of the political turmoil.