With fewer than five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a new UN report says sustained investment and international cooperation have improved billions of lives, but warns that governments must urgently accelerate action if the goals are to be met by their 2030 deadline. The findings come from the 2026 SDG Progress Report, released on Tuesday, which calls the goals “a shared blueprint for peace” while acknowledging the significant political and financial challenges associated with meeting the 17 ambitious targets. Call to action All 193 UN Member States adopted the SDGs in 2015 as an urgent call for action to promote peace and prosperity. With the SDGs at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, countries aim to achieve the goals by that year. Coinciding with the annual report is the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which kicked off in New York on Tuesday and will run until 15 July. The forum serves as the main UN platform tracking progress on the SDGs. Most goals still not on track Since 2015, hard-won gains have been made, including: Nearly one billion people gaining access to safe drinking water 1.2 billion people gaining access to safely managed sanitation New HIV infections falling by 30 per cent between 2015 and 2024 Electricity now reaching 92 per cent of the global population Internet access surging from 40 to 74 per cent Social protection now covering more than half the global population Despite those achievements, the report concludes that overall progress remains far too slow: One in 10 people still live in extreme poverty Food insecurity affects 2.3 billion people Maternal mortality remains nearly three times the global target In 2025, global temperatures reached 1.43°Celsius above pre-industrial levels 273 million children and young people remain out of school The global refugee population has more than doubled in the past decade Of the 139 SDG targets with trend data, only 36 per cent are on track or making moderate progress. Meanwhile, 49 per cent of them are advancing too slowly and 15 per cent have regressed below 2015 baselines. Escalating conflicts, climate change, slowing economic growth, rising debt and a record decline in official development assistance have slowed progress toward the SDGs and disproportionately affected the world’s most vulnerable people, according to the report. At UN Headquarters on Tuesday, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called for reforms that would allow international development banks to provide debt relief and longer-term financing to initiatives that would advance the SDGs. “Many countries are being asked to deliver on promises without the tools to keep them,” Ms. Mohammed said. Annual forum underway Government ministers, top UN officials, civil society representatives and other stakeholders gathered Tuesday for the opening of the HLPF, which meets once every year under the auspices of the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Official HLPF programming will include a broad range of in-person and virtual special events for governments, UN entities, the private sector, youth, civil society and other groups to exchange knowledge and ideas on sustainable development. At an event kicking off the forum, ECOSOC President Lok Bahadur Thapa pointed to widening disparities in areas ranging from clean energy to water security and urged countries to “work differently” to achieve the SDGs. “The 2030 Agenda remains our shared promise – to people, to the planet and to future generations,” Mr. Thapa said. “The years ahead will not ask whether our challenges were difficult. They will ask whether we were equal to them. Events will ramp up for the ministerial portion, also known as the High-Level Segment (HLS), which will take place from 13 to 16 July and result in the adoption of a ministerial declaration. Negotiations will be led by representatives from Albania and Sierra Leone. The latest draft of the 2026 ministerial declaration includes commitments to increase investment in the SDGs and develop governance frameworks for transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence. In last year’s declaration, Member States agreed to increase public financing of the SDGs, bridge digital divides, strengthen health systems and reduce maternal and child mortality. Every four years, the SDG Summit, held under the umbrella of the General Assembly, brings together heads of State to produce a political declaration containing concrete commitments toward achieving the goals. The last SDG Summit occurred in 2023, and the next will take place in 2027. Five goals front and centre With the 2030 deadline to achieve the SDGs looming, this year’s HLPF focuses on “transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions.” Each year, Member States conduct in-depth reviews of a subset of the goals rather than all 17. SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) is a permanent fixture. In addition to SDG 17, States will analyze challenges and solutions surrounding SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). To hold Member States accountable for achieving the SDGs, the UN encourages countries to conduct regular Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of their progress. Almost every UN Member State has presented at least one VNR since 2016. From Albania to Uruguay, 36 States will present VNRs at this year’s forum. The reports have been submitted and are available to view on the HLPF website. Closing in on 2030 Several UN officials recognized the difficulty of reaching the SDGs by 2030, but they reiterated the goals’ significance for uniting the world around a shared vision for the future. Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua said decisive action on debt relief, development finance, food and water systems, essential services, and inequality could still keep the SDGs within reach. “The focus must shift from commitments to implementation,” Mr. Junhua said. Ms. Mohammed told reporters on Tuesday that significant obstacles remain to implementing the SDGs – financing foremost among them – but that the UN never stops working toward the 17 goals. “The day after 2015 there was 2030,” Ms. Mohammed said. “The day after 2030, for sure, there will be another date that Member States will promise, because the world hasn’t finished its job yet.”

The second meeting of the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Private Sector Consultation Series, organized through the collaboration of UN Global Compact Türkiye, the United Nations in Türkiye, and the Zero Waste Foundation, was held in Istanbul on 3 July 2026. Under the theme "Circular Economy and Innovation," the meeting brought together stakeholders to discuss solutions, policy instruments and collaborative approaches that can accelerate the private sector's transition to a circular economy.Organized in the lead-up to COP31, which will be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, the Private Sector Consultation Series aims to strengthen private sector contributions to climate action by bringing together businesses, United Nations entities and representatives of the wider business community on a common platform. The second meeting focused on advancing circular economy approaches and exploring how innovation can contribute to achieving climate goals.The meeting opened with remarks by Tom Delrue, Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Türkiye, Christian Mensah, Senior Advisor and Team Lead to the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, and Melda Çele, Secretary General of UN Global Compact Türkiye.In his remarks, Tom Delrue said:"As we move towards COP31, the global climate agenda has entered a new phase—from commitments to implementation. Partnerships that deliver tangible results and practical solutions are now more important than ever. The circular economy is one of the most powerful approaches for addressing interconnected global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution simultaneously. With its strong industrial base, growing innovation ecosystem and the Zero Waste initiative, Türkiye has significant opportunities to lead this transformation. The United Nations in Türkiye remains committed to strengthening collaboration among the public sector, the private sector and all stakeholders on the road to COP31, and to turning these partnerships into concrete climate action."In his remarks, Christian Mensah emphasized that the COP31 preparation process is not about telling stakeholders what they should do, but about making them part of the solution. Stressing that the climate crisis is no longer a challenge of the future but a reality of today, he noted that discussions must move beyond technical debates towards practical and financeable solutions. Highlighting the private sector as one of the key drivers of this transformation, Mensah underlined that climate action can only succeed through collaboration between governments, businesses and other stakeholders. He also invited participants to develop concrete recommendations that will directly contribute to the COP31 process.Melda Çele stated:"COP31, which our country will host, will not only be a diplomatic negotiation process, but also an important milestone where the business community will demonstrate its capacity for transformation, innovation and implementation. We will bring the concrete, actionable and scalable recommendations emerging from these consultations to COP31, contributing a strong private sector perspective to both the negotiations and the climate action agenda."Following the opening session, representatives from UN Global Compact Türkiye member companies, business organizations and United Nations agencies operating in Türkiye convened in thematic working groups. Participants exchanged views on practical recommendations that could contribute to Türkiye's COP31 process, covering topics including circular business models and value chain transformation, waste management and resource recovery, green technologies, innovation and digital solutions, as well as financing, policy and market mechanisms to support the transition to a circular economy.The recommendations developed during the consultations are expected to serve as the basis for thematic outcomes and voluntary commitments that will strengthen the private sector's contribution to COP31. The process also aims to enhance cooperation between the private sector and international organizations, promote the dissemination of good practices in the circular economy, and support scalable solutions.The COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Private Sector Consultation Series will continue with its third meeting in October. The next consultation will focus on nature conservation, biodiversity, water management, just transition, and sustainable value chains.

The United Nations in Türkiye, in partnership with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Türkiye, convened leading academics and UN experts to explore how science, innovation and multi-stakeholder partnerships can accelerate climate implementation and contribute to a strong legacy for COP31.The Academia–UN Round Table on Climate Action Priorities, Partnerships and Innovation, organized as part of the UN Türkiye COP31 Engagement Strategy, brought together 15 leading academics from SDSN Türkiye member universities across the country and around 20 United Nations representatives working on climate action and sustainable development. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between academia and the UN to help translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that support Türkiye's climate ambitions and sustainable development objectives.Opening the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi emphasized that the world is entering a new phase of climate action where implementation must take centre stage."As highlighted in our COP31 Engagement Strategy, academia is not only a source of knowledge, but a critical partner in transforming ambition into implementation," he said, noting that universities and research institutions have a vital role in generating evidence for policy, advancing innovation, strengthening green skills and supporting the partnerships needed for a just transition. His full speech is available at this link. Welcoming participants, Dr. Tamer Atabarut, Director of SDSN Türkiye, reaffirmed the network's commitment to working closely with the United Nations. Hosted by Boğaziçi University, SDSN Türkiye brings together more than 60 universities and research institutions across the country and serves as a platform for advancing evidence-based solutions for sustainable development. He stressed that the network stands ready to help bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation through closer collaboration with the UN and national partners.The Round Table featured a keynote address by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, who called for COP31 to become an implementation-oriented conference focused on concrete action rather than additional commitments.Professor Sachs argued that while Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) define countries' climate ambitions, they are not operational implementation plans. He emphasized the need for detailed 20–30-year decarbonization pathways supported by technological roadmaps, investment plans, financing strategies and regional cooperation scenarios. Rather than producing more facts and figures, he stressed that governments need practical implementation scenarios, particularly for renewable energy integration and regional zero-carbon energy systems.Participants agreed that stronger links are needed between research, policymaking, finance and implementation if climate ambitions are to translate into measurable results.A major focus of the discussions was the development of green skills and climate literacy. Participants highlighted the need to embed sustainability and climate action across education systems—from primary and secondary schools to universities, vocational education and lifelong learning programmes. Universities were encouraged to work more closely with industry to ensure curricula respond to emerging labour market needs while expanding opportunities for executive education, micro-credentials, reskilling and upskilling for the green economy.The discussions also underscored the importance of engaging young people as climate leaders through initiatives such as climate literacy campaigns, youth ambassador programmes, Model UN clubs and experiential learning. Participants emphasized that climate education should not only prepare future graduates but also support workers already in the labour market and reach disadvantaged communities through partnerships with municipalities, public education centres and the private sector.Another key theme was strengthening the interface between science, policy and finance. Participants stressed that universities can play an important role in generating evidence for policymaking, developing impact assessments and identifying the green skills and competencies required for Türkiye's transition. They also highlighted the need to adapt international definitions of green jobs and green skills to national contexts and to strengthen cooperation between academia, government and industry.Several speakers noted that successful implementation will depend not only on sound research but also on mobilizing adequate financing and convincing policymakers of the economic case for investing in climate action. Discussions highlighted opportunities presented by the emerging Climate Implementation Bridge, international financial institutions and new climate finance mechanisms to support Türkiye's green transition.The Round Table also explored how partnerships can help ensure that COP31 leaves a lasting legacy. Participants proposed strengthening collaboration among academia, government, municipalities, the private sector, financial institutions and civil society through pilot projects, living labs, innovation platforms and stronger knowledge-sharing mechanisms. Particular attention was given to scaling up successful UN-supported initiatives, improving impact assessment and expanding South-South and triangular cooperation through research and innovation.Participants also discussed opportunities to strengthen action in areas including sustainable industrialization, food systems, water management, artificial intelligence, renewable energy technologies and urban resilience. Proposals included convening a farmers' forum linked to the COP31 food systems agenda, enhancing collaboration on curriculum development, and creating stronger mechanisms to connect universities with policy processes and implementation efforts.The Round Table featured experts representing a wide range of disciplines, including climate economics, energy transition, industrial decarbonization, agriculture and food systems, urban planning, climate policy, innovation, science and technology, health and climate, and youth, skills and education. Participants included academics from Boğaziçi University, Middle East Technical University, Istanbul Technical University, Sabancı University, Marmara University, Özyeğin University, Gebze Technical University, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Kadir Has University, together with Professor Jeffrey Sachs joining online from Columbia University.Concluding the discussions, participants agreed that the United Nations has an important convening role in connecting academia, policymakers, the private sector and development partners to accelerate climate implementation. Recommendations from the Round Table will inform the ongoing implementation of the UN Türkiye COP31 Engagement Strategy, contribute to future thematic dialogues with key stakeholders, and support preparations for COP31 through follow-up workstreams, collaborative initiatives and potential side events. 

"The road to COP31 offers us a unique opportunity to shape a more resilient, sustainable and just future," United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi told students and academics at Istanbul Technical University. Calling universities key partners in advancing climate action, he urged stronger collaboration between the United Nations, academia and young people to "turn knowledge into action, ambition into implementation, and hope into lasting change—for everyone, everywhere, leaving no one behind."As Türkiye prepares to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), students, academics and United Nations (UN) representatives gathered at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) to discuss how youth, science and partnerships can help accelerate climate action.The event, "Towards COP31: Climate Talks on Climate Agenda, Sustainability, Resilience and Green Growth," was organized by ITU's Environment and Urbanism Application and Research Center (UYGAR), Climate Ambassadors, Urban and Urbanization Club and ITU CORAL (Collective Resilience Alliance). It brought together representatives from the UN, academia and students to exchange ideas on sustainability, resilience, green growth and the role of young people in shaping climate solutions.Moderated by Prof. Dr. Aliye Ahu Gülümser, Director of ITU's UYGAR, the event featured opening remarks by ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, who highlighted the significance of Türkiye hosting COP31 as an important opportunity to strengthen climate ambition and international cooperation. He noted that today's climate challenges extend beyond the environment, encompassing economic, social, geopolitical and technological dimensions that require collaborative, multi-stakeholder solutions. Stressing the importance of co-creation, he pointed to ITU CORAL as an example of students taking the lead in building resilience and preparing the next generation of climate leaders. During the interactive discussion, participants also learned that ITU CORAL will organize a Model COP31 in September, providing students with an opportunity to simulate international climate negotiations and strengthen youth engagement in the lead-up to COP31.Delivering the keynote address, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi emphasized that climate change cannot be addressed in isolation."Today we are living through two interconnected crises — the climate crisis and the energy crisis. Addressing them requires integrated action across multiple sectors, supported by innovation, clean energy and renewable technologies."Highlighting the role of young people in driving change, he called on students to become active participants in shaping a sustainable future."Climate action cannot succeed without the meaningful participation of young people. You are not simply beneficiaries of climate policies—you are the innovators, advocates and change agents who will help transform our societies."Dr. Ahonsi also underscored that delivering meaningful climate action requires a whole-of-society approach, bringing together governments, academia, the private sector, civil society and communities."The transition towards a resilient and low-carbon future depends on partnerships. Transformation will only happen if we work together, learn from one another and turn knowledge into action."A youth perspective was presented by Climate Ambassador Ayşenaz Almeman, who highlighted the importance of youth participation and climate justice, drawing on findings from a recent climate survey conducted by UNICEF and the COP31 Presidency.The panel, moderated by Tom Delrue, Head of the Resident Coordinator's Office in Türkiye, brought together Telman Maharramov of UN-Habitat's Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia; Dima Khoury, Coordinator at the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction at UNEP; Ersan Olcay Işın, Industrial Decarbonization Expert at UNIDO Türkiye; Ayşegül Selışık, Deputy Representative of FAO Türkiye; and Özlem Çalışkan, Programme Manager of UNFPA's Women Friendly Cities Programme in Türkiye. Together, they explored climate action through multiple lenses, including sustainable urbanization, environmental sustainability, green industrial transformation, sustainable food systems and inclusive, people-centred climate policies.Discussions covered sustainable and resilient cities, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, green industrial transformation, sustainable food systems, climate-resilient agriculture, and the importance of inclusive climate policies that leave no one behind. Panelists also highlighted the need to equip young people with green skills and ensure that women, youth and vulnerable groups are actively involved in climate decision-making.Throughout the discussion, speakers agreed that universities have a unique role to play as hubs of research, innovation and collaboration. By moving beyond traditional teaching to pilot practical climate solutions and strengthen partnerships, higher education institutions can help accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement while supporting preparations for COP31.The event concluded with an interactive discussion between students and UN experts, reaffirming the importance of youth engagement as Türkiye prepares to welcome the global climate community later this year. The dialogue formed part of broader efforts by the United Nations in Türkiye and its partners to foster inclusive conversations on climate action and ensure that the voices of young people and academia contribute to the road to COP31.