Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 have promoted equitable and sustainable development globally since its espousal. As development is the cornerstone of achieving wealth, Sustainable Development Goals provide the context and framework for setting international policies facilitated by the UN in the contemporary era. Unlike its predecessor, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), SDGs are argued to be more pragmatic about achieving global development milestones. Researchers and international development experts have commended the approach of SDGs in terms of curbing utopian goals set during the adoption of MDGs. SDGs are considered more cross-sectional and closer to the reality of the ground. Therefore, the global expectation from SDGs, especially from the least developed parts of the globe, has been relatively high since their adoption. However, this universal promise’s colourful vision has faded considerably over the years due to shortcomings in execution. To add to that misery, the global pandemic COVID-19 has severely affected efforts to achieve SDGs by enforcing long-term lockdowns and a global economic recession. Nevertheless, with the pandemic well and truly over with the announcement coming from the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the perfect time to raise the discussion of what the future holds for international development efforts in the post-pandemic era.
SDG Implementation: What did the picture look like before COVID-19 rang the bell?
Before delving into the discussion of how COVID-19 has impacted the pursuit of attaining SDGs, it is imperative to analyse the overall accomplishments of SDGs in the five years of the pre-covid era. It is also equally important to highlight the noticeable shortcomings in this timeframe. The most significant achievement of SDG lies in its sheer popularity and bandwagoning from nation-states, civil society, and the general population worldwide. Such volume of affinity and acquaintance towards a global agenda has been rare in human history. Therefore, it is not a crime to give kudos to the United Nations for bringing the kind of consensus and acceptance that many libertarians have desperately sought in the international system for decades. Conceivably, it also facilitates the impression that their heart was in the right place while deriving this extensive development initiative for a greater global future. An optimistic libertarian would also consider the improving numbers in poverty reduction, gender equality, and education indexes as significant accomplishments of SDG in its initial five years. The other side of the coin reveals the limitations of delivering its promise. Although the core idea of SDGs was to foster inclusive and equitable development for all kinds of target groups, there was a deficit in aligning the execution with a variety of minority groups. The SDG implementation could have been more consistent across countries, and progress could have been faster. Additionally, monitoring mechanisms and data collection could have been improved to ensure accurate assessment and measurement of progress. And right when the need for acceleration was on top of everyone’s mind, the development efforts were put to a halt due to the emergence of COVID-19.
Hitting the Pause Button: SDGs Taking a Significant Hit During the Global Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted global progress towards SDGs. The pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges and created new obstacles, significantly hindering the achievement of SDGs. The uniqueness of COVID-19 in an age of supreme globalisation has left the global community perplexed by long-term consequences. After the breakout of the pandemic, the immediate focus of many countries shifted towards managing their internal health crisis, leading to resources and attention being diverted away from SDGs. Even the United Nations and its specialised institutions had to change their focus to fighting this unique global crisis. The pandemic has caused widespread economic disruptions – increasing poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The efforts to alleviate poverty and improve social protection, considered breakthroughs of SDG, have been undermined as millions have been pushed back into extreme poverty. Education systems have been severely disrupted, with school closures affecting millions of children and exacerbating educational inequalities. Access to healthcare services, especially in developing countries, has been strained, impacting progress toward universal health coverage. Additionally, the pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of certain groups, including women, children, people with disabilities, and marginalised communities, further widening existing inequalities. The pandemic has underscored the urgent need for a coordinated global response and a renewed commitment to achieving SDGs to build back better and create more resilient and inclusive societies.
The Way Forward: Rethinking SDGs in the Post-Pandemic Era
The slow buildup and an unforeseeable plot twist have undoubtedly created a lot of doubts as well as suspense regarding the endgame of the SDG story. Whether it will be a success or a failed attempt is yet to be found; however, it undoubtedly requires reevaluation as we approach the climax. Development practitioners have been wise enough to realise that stepping out of the pandemic’s shadow alone will not make life easier. Instead, figuring out the recovery process in a curtailed timeframe is smart. Reclassification of the SDG status and vision is imperative, as well as it is to enhance global coordination and collaboration. This approach is noted as the “Classification Cooperation Collaboration” framework. As much as it is crucial to design recovery plans for the economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic, development practitioners should keep a close eye on aligning those plans with the broader aim of SDGs. Effectively forming this alliance would be crucial in determining the future of Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, we must learn from the turn of events during the pandemic. The crisis has exposed numerous vulnerabilities in our systems and highlighted the need for more robust and resilient approaches to achieve sustainable development. Now is the perfect time to address those challenges and act on them. At the same time, it remains fresh in our memories. In the post-pandemic era, there is a need to reassess the priorities and strategies outlined in SDGs to address the new challenges and emerging issues. This includes integrating pandemic preparedness and response into the goals and recognising the interconnectedness between health, economic, and environmental dimensions. The pandemic has also emphasised the importance of digital connectivity and technology in advancing SDGs. This should be leveraged to enhance access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for marginalised communities. In the post-pandemic era, there is undoubtedly an opportunity to reinvigorate the global commitment to SDGs, but that can only be achieved through fostering collaboration. With more than two years lost with shifted focus and diverted resources, more and more stakeholders are joining forces for a greater goal that can accelerate progress toward a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient future.
Sustainable Development Goals advocate social change that cultivates the root of cross-cutting progression in all human life. But because of this limitless spread of the issues it tries to cover, and with more and more cases coming to the forefront, the meaning of proper development is becoming increasingly complicated. Finding the right balance between every sector can be highly volatile, so stakeholders must take every step carefully. The initial years of SDG implementation have shown us that treading carefully can also kill its charm, with the numbers dropping for individuals and nations campaigning for sustainable development. Therefore, the pursuit of sustainable development is inherently a tricky business.
On top of that, with the pandemic severely impacting every aspect of human life, sustainable development efforts have been pushed further back. Nevertheless, the pandemic has also given us a unique opportunity to reconsider our approach toward SDG implementation. Also, fighting a global crisis hand in hand has shown the onset of an environment where countries can cooperate and collaborate for a greater purpose. This may give the pursuit of attaining SDGs the desired acceleration that it has been missing. With several missing pieces of the puzzle found, the future of sustainable global development looks to be a fascinating phase full of possibilities and promises in the post-pandemic era.
Author- SADMAN BIN AHSAN
