On 31 March 2025, UNA-UK hosted a roundtable discussion with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Secretary-General, Susan Brown, in partnership with Action for Sustainable Development. Co-chaired by UNA-UK Chair, Ian Martin, and Action for Sustainable Development Global Coordinator Oli Henman, the conversation engaged with high-level representatives across civil society, UN bodies, and government to explore some of the challenges around progress of the SDGs.
The discussion highlighted the repercussions of recent international aid cuts across member states. With governments increasingly shifting budgets towards domestic and defence priorities at the expense of multilateral funding, UN departments have been left to make difficult decisions about which programmes should continue to receive funding, directly impacting those most vulnerable and most in need around the globe. Messaging around funding and misinformation in the media compounds the problem; Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending is comparatively small in relation to the global economy but is viewed as large amounts by the public, in line with an emphasis on increased needs to fund security instead. In addition to this – or perhaps a result of – panellists noted the limited public outcry in reaction to recent aid cuts. MPs are experiencing a lack of engagement from their constituents on recognising the value of ODA.
However, there was a positivity in the room, and call to return to optimism. A number of states - including Ireland, Canada, and Spain - have recently reaffirmed their commitment to international aid, and the EU is actively pushing the Global Gateway initiative. There is interest in the SDGs amongst youth groups – particularly students – and a huge opportunity for education and engagement of a new generation. The global South is showing leadership in promoting the SDGs and implementing initiatives to contribute to their progress. Nonetheless, there is more work to be done to engage the wider demographics in the Goals.
The session ended with a clear message; civil society inclusion in pushing for SDG progress is paramount. When they were created, it was understood that the Goals were ambitious, but governments chose ambition with the support from civil society. As we move into the next phase of SDG reviews and towards the targets set out in the 2030 Agenda, it is time for a multi-sector approach to address the issues set out in the SDGs.
