Guterres urges UN member states to keep promises on SDGs

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on governments of UN member states to keep their promises on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The promises governments made in adopting the goals are not being kept. It is time to keep them," Guterres he told the 2026 SDG Moment, an annual event convened by the secretary-general.

He called for efforts to fight inequality by investing in quality education, food security, decent work, universal health coverage, strong social protection systems, access to technology and opportunity for all.

"We must tackle the barriers that continue to deny people a fair chance: entrenched inequalities, discrimination and exclusion, and conflicts that destroy development gains," he said. "And we must stand firm for human rights and gender equality. When women can fully participate, everyone benefits."

Guterres called for climate action.

"We need to keep our promise to our planet. Renewable energy is now the cheapest and fastest-growing source of new power across much of the world," he said.

Countries rich in renewable resources must be given the tools and the chance to become producers of clean energy, manufacturers of clean technologies, and creators of decent jobs. Critical minerals must be managed responsibly and sustainably, in a way that adds value and opportunity in producing countries. And the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy must be just, supporting communities and workers, he said.

Guterres said development financing should be improved.

Multilateral development banks must become bigger, better and bolder. Every public dollar must mobilize far greater private investment. Developing countries must have a much stronger voice and representation in the international financial system. And debt must serve development, not suffocate it, and we need debt relief urgently, he said.

Guterres called on UN member states to accelerate progress by using tools at their disposal, including better data, strategic foresight, technology and connectivity, responsible artificial intelligence, free and inclusive trade, and stronger partnerships, while, above all, renewing efforts to forge peace, which is both the foundation for and an enabler of lasting, sustainable and resilient development.

He warned that development faces powerful headwinds.

Conflicts, divisions and mistrust are weakening international cooperation. Crises in the Middle East and beyond continue to drive economic insecurity and disrupt food, energy and trade flows. The climate crisis is accelerating, bringing the 1.5 degree limit dangerously closer. The rights of women and girls are under attack. Developing countries remain trapped by debt, constrained fiscal space and inadequate investment. And the world continues to spend record sums on war while development is starved of resources, he noted.

"The Sustainable Development Goals are ambitious because the challenges we face are immense. But commitments must be matched with transformative action," said Guterres. "That is the promise governments made. Keeping that promise is an obligation. It's also our greatest opportunity to build a fairer, safer and more sustainable world."