17 SDGs and how to tackle global poverty

What are the 17 SDGs ?

On 25 September 2015, the 193 countries of the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". The agenda outlines the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their targets.

This blog focuses on SDG01 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere

In numbers – 36 million people still live in extreme poverty, that it 10% of the world's population. 50% of these are under 18. Eradicating poverty remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Rapid growth in developing countries, such as China and India, has lifted millions out of poverty. However progress has been uneven with women more likely to live in poverty than men or areas such as sub-Saharan Africa who account for over 80% of those living in extreme poverty.

A study published in September 2020 found that poverty increased by 7% in just a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even though it had been steadily decreasing for the last 20 years.

Who is doing good on this SDG ?

• Danone is committed to continue pioneering ways for inclusive growth for different links in their supply chain, including farmers, street vendors and waste pickers. Danone has initiated the Danone Ecosystem fund and Communities to help alleviate malnutrition. One of these communities operates in Bangladesh by using local produce and workforce, especially women, for distribution and sales. The local produce is made into a yogurt designed to provide a third of the daily requirement of various nutrients.

• The Spanish Iberdrola deal with energy supply, working with public administrations and NGOs to prevent vulnerable populations from being deprived of their electric supply and raised over 15 million Euros towards helping people at risk of social exclusion.

• The Indian based End Poverty organization is working towards economic development through education, training and building capacity of economically disadvantaged people in India.

Interconnections

The SDGs are interlinked as they can positively affect each other. Eradicating poverty can lead to zero hunger (SDG 2) and reduce inequalities (SDG 10).

In their turn, decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reducing gender inequality (SDG 5) and providing quality education (SDG 4) have a positive effect on reducing poverty.

SDG 1 particularly links to good health and well-being (SDG 3) as eradication of poverty will necessarily increase the standard of healthcare.

Conclusion

This goal is reached by supplying people with opportunities for self-improvement and by not adding extra difficulties. Fulfilling the No-Poverty goal defined in SDG1 goes hand in hand with lowering educational gaps, providing better health, promoting gender equality and other goals set by the UN's SDGs.