Summary

The United Nations charged its member countries in 2015 to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. Some of these goals included eliminating poverty and hunger, improving health and education, and reaching gender parity and inclusion. Many countries have made progress toward these goals despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine and Russia war, and global inflation but may not realize these SDGs by 2030. It is reassuring that most countries have adopted the SDGs in their national plans. Child marriage, maternal and child mortality, and extreme poverty rates are declining. However, food insecurity has risen because of the Ukraine and Russia war and inflation. Additionally, violence against women may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. As for an inclusive world, many countries have passed laws securing the rights of LGBTQ+ people, but more needs to be done to end discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.