GOAL OF THE MONTH – GOAL 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES

 “Everyone deserves to live a life free from poverty and a chance to thrive. We can end poverty, but we must work together — across countries & sectors— to support those who need the most help.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Where Are We

Inequality threatens long-term social and economic development, harms poverty reduction and destroys people’s sense of fulfillment and self-worth. 

The incomes of the poorest 40 per cent of the population had been growing faster than the national average in most countries. But emerging yet inconclusive evidence suggests that COVID-19 may have put a dent in this positive trend of falling within-country inequality. 

The pandemic has caused the largest rise in between-country inequality in three decades. Reducing both within- and between-country inequality requires equitable resource distribution, investing in education and skills development, implementing social protection measures, combating discrimination, supporting marginalized groups and fostering international cooperation for fair trade and financial systems. 

Read more about Goal 10: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/. 

SDG 10 IN NUMBERS

  • One in six people worldwide has experienced discrimination in some form, with women and people with disabilities disproportionately affected. 
  • The year 2022 witnessed the highest number of refugees (34.6 million people) ever documented. This year is also a deadly one for migrants, with nearly 7,000 deaths recorded globally. 
  • Reducing both within- and between-country inequality requires equitable resource distribution, investing in education and skills development, implementing social protection measures, combating discrimination, supporting marginalized groups and fostering international cooperation for fair trade and financial systems. 

HIGHLIGHTS

1 December | World AIDS Day

Around the world, 9.2 million people living with HIV today do not have access to lifesaving treatment. Every minute a life is lost to AIDS. To end it, we must let communities on the frontlines of the AIDS pandemic lead the way. Read UNAIDS latest report: Let Communities Lead, 2023 World AIDS Day — Let Communities Lead | UNAIDS.  

3 December | International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD)

The theme for IDPD in 2023 is “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities” and is commemorated in an event at UN Headquarters on 1 December in New York with a discussion structured around five pillars of sustainable development – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships. Read more here.

12 December | International Universal Health Coverage Day 

Each year on 12 December, International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage. Universal Health Coverage is based on the principles that everyone, everywhere, should have access to the health services they need without risk of financial hardship. This year’s theme “Health For All: Time For Action” reminds us that, in a world that continues to experience a growing number of climate-related health threats, countries must invest in resilient and equitable health systems with primary health care as the foundation. Read more here. 

18 December | International Migrants Day

Every year on 18th December, the world marks International Migrants Day, a day set aside to recognize the important contribution of migrants while highlighting the challenges they face. Migrants and displaced people represent some of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society. Migrants have proven to be a source of prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development to countries of origin, transit, and host countries. 

IN FOCUS

UN Climate Change Conference (COP28)  

“The climate crisis is not gender neutral. It exacerbates existing inequalities, creating unique threats to the livelihoods, health & safety of women & girls. To create a sustainable world for all, we need to put gender equality at the heart of #ClimateAction.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) is currently underway until 12 December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Against the backdrop of a worsening climate crisis, COP28 is a pivotal opportunity to take stock of progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, correct course, and accelerate action to limit global warming to 1.5°C degrees and deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.  Learn more about the COP 28 thematic programme here: https://unfccc.int/cop28.

75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On 10 December, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a pivotal document that safeguards the rights of every individual. This groundbreaking declaration serves as a global guide for crafting international, national, and local laws and policies, forming a fundamental pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

To honor this significant milestone, diverse events are planned, including the Human Rights 75 Concert in Geneva, showcasing world-class talent from across the globe, spanning various musical genres and human rights themes. Notable participants include UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo. View the programme and watch the show live on 10 December. 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will make opening remarks at a two-day hybrid high-level event in Geneva starting on 11  December, and on 15 December the winners of the 2023 United Nations Human Rights Prize will be honoured in a special Award ceremony in the UN General Assembly Hall in New York. And finally, a concert featuring the world premiere of Everyone, Everywhere by composer Daron Hagan will be held in New York’s Carnegie Hall on 16 December. 

 

2023 Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters 

In October, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) released the Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters and urged the world to act on unacceptable failures to protect persons with disabilities from disasters. Persons with disabilities constitute 16% of the world’s population, with 80% living in the Global South. They are frequently the most affected by natural hazards, climate-induced disasters, and global health emergencies. Read the full Report.

SDG Media Zone: Through the lens with CNN – Climate crisis and gender inequality

Studies have shown women are more likely to be impacted by climate change than men. This year’s UN General Assembly SDG Media Zone took a deep dive with CNN to illustrate the link between climate change and gender inequality. Featuring Bernadette Tuazon, Director of Photography, CNN Digital, Brett Roegiers, Associate Director of Photography, CNN Digital and UN Women’s Ginette Azcona, Research and Data Specialist and lead author of the report Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2023.

Watch the session: Through the lens with CNN – Climate crisis and gender inequality

SDG Media Zone: Disabilities & Human Rights

To mark the International Day of Persons With Disabilities, we invite you to watch an SDG Media Zone session talking about the power of inclusivity, the impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and how we can collectively champion human rights for everyone. The discussion features Nyle Di Marco, New York Times bestselling author, producer, advocate, and actor, with Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, UN OHCHR.

5 THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN 2023

  1. The SDG Summit launched new phase of SDG action to move SDG progress back on track  Political Declaration 
  2. UN Secretary-General’s SDG Stimulus offered game changing plan for accelerating delivery of SDGs. Read more about Financing for Development 
  3. The UN Water Conference marked a watershed moment to tackle the global water crisis and ensure water-secure future Press Release 
  4. In a historic decision, all 193 UN Member States decided to end plastic pollution. With negotiations on a binding legal agreement by 2024 now underway, the question is how to realise that goal. Read more.  
  5. Read about the Landmark Marine Biodiversity treaty, designed to protect life in the high seas which is increasingly under threat from pollution, climate change and overfishing.

What can you do to reduce inequalities: Act Now for Our Common Future

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. We all have a part to play; and together we can make a real difference. Join the campaign and learn what you can do – un.org/actnow.