UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Face Major Setbacks as 2030 Hunger-Free World Target Looks Increasingly Unachievable

On Saturday (3 August), Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex in New Delhi. This conference had not been held in India for 65 years prior to this occurrence. Nevertheless, this also bought the realisation that the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the aim of achieving a world without hunger by 2030, are unlikely to be fulfilled.

Hunger and malnutrition act as hindrance

Professor Martin Qaim, an eminent expert in agricultural economics and the director of the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, has made this forecast. He expressed doubt that the United Nations’ aim to achieve a world without hunger by 2030 will be successful.

He asserts that currently, there is widespread hunger and malnutrition globally, greatly hindering progress. Additionally, he mentioned that certain types of malnutrition are increasing worldwide.

He believes that hunger and malnutrition are worsened by climate change and geopolitical tensions. He further mentioned that it is impossible to ignore how food systems play a role in the climate crisis and lead to various environmental issues.

All 17 Objectives of Sustainable Development are in danger

In his opinion without major changes in the global food distribution, consumption, and production practices, none of the 17 SDG goals can be reached.

What do the 17 Sustainable Development Goals entail?

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals serve as a plan for a sustainable and more promising future for everyone. They tackle various obstacles encountered by the world currently and are expected to be overcome by 2030. The objectives range from poverty and inequality to climate change. All United Nations Members signed it in 2015 and require global collaboration for implementation.

The second objective of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to achieve a hunger-free world by the year 2030.

Source: National Geographic

An earlier warning was also given in relation to Goal 2

A report from the United Nations released on July 24th revealed that the world is not on course to achieve the goal of eradicating hunger and food insecurity by 2030. Approximately 733 million individuals, amounting to 9% of the global population, might have experienced hunger in 2023.

The report suggests that roughly 713 to 757 million individuals possibly experienced food insecurity in 2023, equivalent to 1 in 11 globally and 1 in 5 in Africa.

This necessitates immediate action and cooperation between countries to eradicate global hunger and ensure no one goes to bed on an empty stomach.