– USD 4tln financing gap persists as ODA declines by 7pct

The 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report issued by the UN Secretary-General indicates only 35 percent of the 137 SDG targets are on track, while progress is insufficient on 47 percent of the targets, and 18 percent show regression.

The report called for special acceleration efforts for SDG implementation in Africa, while noting an annual USD four trillion financing gap with official development assistance (ODA) suffering from a seven percent decline.

A UN forum on SDGs concluded in New York this week. An Ethiopian delegation led by Fitsum Assefa, minister of Planning and Development, presented a report that emphasized key achievements across the five goals selected for review, which include health, gender equality, and economic growth.

The Minister reported achievements in food security, social protection, economic growth, and productivity.

Ethiopia’s achievements in agricultural productivity, including through irrigated heat-resistant wheat farming, and its role in ending hunger and ensuring food security took centre stage. Progress in access to education at lower levels with targeted investment in pre-primary schools that have quadrupled was also noted.

The expansion of school feeding programs, and a related decrease in school dropouts, was highlighted, while Fitsum reported significant reductions in maternal and under-five mortality rates.

In the area of climate change, Ethiopia showcased its Green Legacy Initiative that officials claim saw the planting of over 40 billion seedlings over the past six years. The initiative has reportedly expanded Ethiopia’s forest coverage to 24 percent.

The report also touched on improvements in electricity access and road infrastructure.

The report outlined challenges Ethiopia, along with other developing countries, face in the implementation of the SDGs. These include inadequate youth employment, fiscal constraints, climate shocks, global price volatility, and declining development assistance. Several speakers praised Ethiopia’s progress and recommended measures in the fields of job creation and health finance.

The Secretary-General of the UN, in launching the report, warned the international community about regression and appealed for urgent multilateralism to apply the available tools in alleviating poverty.