GOAL OF THE MONTH – Zero Hunger
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Where We Are
As we work toward Goal 2—creating a world free of hunger by 2030—we face an urgent crisis that has escalated alarmingly since 2015. The number of people experiencing chronic hunger surged to approximately 733 million in 2023, representing 9.1% of the global population. Factors such as the pandemic, conflict, climate change, and deepening inequalities have all contributed to this dire situation. Additionally, around 2.3 billion people struggled with moderate to severe food insecurity, a stark increase from previous years.
Hunger not only threatens individual well-being but also impedes sustainable development. Malnutrition traps people in cycles of poverty, reducing productivity and increasing vulnerability to disease. With over 2 billion individuals lacking regular access to safe and nutritious food, and millions of children facing stunted growth and wasting, the challenge is monumental. A world with zero hunger can positively impact our economies, health, education, equality and social development. It’s a key piece of building a better future for everyone.
SDG 2 in Numbers
- Despite global efforts, in 2022, an estimated 45 million children under the age of 5 suffered from wasting, 148 million had stunted growth and 37 million were overweight. A fundamental shift in trajectory is needed to achieve the 2030 nutrition targets.
- To achieve zero hunger by 2030, urgent coordinated action and policy solutions are essential to tackle inequalities, transform food systems, invest in sustainable agriculture, and mitigate the impacts of conflict and the pandemic on global nutrition and food security.
- In 2023, 733 million people faced hunger – a persistently high number that has remained almost unchanged for three years.
- The rise in hunger is attributed to multiple factors, including conflict, climate change, economic shocks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues have led to higher food prices and decreased food availability.
“The world of zero hunger envisioned by SDG 2 is not only necessary — with action on finance, it is achievable. Together, let’s consign hunger to the history books. Let’s build the strong, resilient and sustainable food and nutrition systems all people need and deserve.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, 24 July, 2024
In Focus
16 | World Food Day
This year’s World Food Day focuses on the “Right to foods for a better life and a better future” and calls for global action to ensure all people have access to enough diverse, nutritious and safe food, leaving no one behind. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, in our markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all. A hybrid World Food Global Ceremony will take place on 16 October 2024 highlighting the day’s theme and outreach activities to get involved. Learn more about the event here and other ways you can join the global conversation.
Multiple converging crises, including climate change, growing conflicts and rising health pandemics are undermining social progress around the world, hitting the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest. The already disappointing progress on social development is at risk of being held back further by the fiscal burden of responding to crises. The World Social Report 2024 makes the case that national development strategies aimed at eradicating poverty, fostering inclusive and job-rich growth, and promoting equality of opportunity and universal access to quality services, among others, must be reevaluated to ensure they can effectively accelerate social development in the new era of converging crises.
21 – 1 November | Biodiversity Conference (COP16)
Held in Cali, Colombia from 21 October to 1 November, COP 16 marks the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15. During this meeting, governments will review the implementation of the Framework and align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans accordingly. COP 16 will also advance the monitoring framework, enhance resource mobilization, and finalize the multilateral mechanism for sharing benefits from digital sequence information on genetic resources.
Highlights
15 | World Survey on the Role of Women in Development
UN Women will launch on 15 October the 2024 World Survey on the Role of Women in Development: “Harnessing social protection for gender equality, resilience and transformation”. The report provides the latest evidence and data on the potential of social protection – the raft of policies that includes cash benefits, unemployment protection, and access to affordable healthcare – for gender equality. Social protection policies, that keep women and girls’ specific needs at the forefront are more urgent than ever: repeated shocks and cascading crises– from Covid-19 to the climate emergency, from financial shocks to violent conflict – are hitting women and girls the hardest and hampering progress on eradicating poverty.
The report will be published on UN Women’s website.
SDG Media Zone during UNGA – recap
The UN General Assembly flagship SDG Media Zone was held 23-27 September, 2024, featuring a full week of inspiring speakers and sessions that explored key issues for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants engaged in discussions around the Summit of the Future and discovered ways to take action on the SDGs. Revisit all the dynamic conversations here.
Upcoming International Days
Each year, World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This year, “Mental Health at Work”, WHO is working with partners to highlight the vital connection between mental health and work. Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health. With 60% of the global population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure work prevents risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work. Campaign materials and additional information on the theme can be found here.
11 | International Day of the Girl Child
The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. This year, the campaign focuses on the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.
15 | International Day of Rural Women
Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The international Day of Rural Women recognizes the critical contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty. Additional resources and activation details for the Day can be found here.
17 | International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Celebrated annually on 17 October, the International Day aims to promote understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the wider society. This year’s theme, “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment“, will emphasize the need for collective action to promote efforts to alleviate poverty. A commemoration event will be held at United Nations Headquarters on Thursday 17 October, further details can be found here.
24 | UN Day
United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
24 – 31 | Global Media and Information Literacy Week
Global Media and Information Literacy Week is an annual event observed from 24-31 October to raise awareness and celebrate the progress achieved towards Media and Information Literacy for all. This year’s theme will focus on “The new digital frontiers of information: Media and Information Literacy for public-interest information.”. UNESCO will host a Conference in Jordan to address the transformative impact of emerging technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence and the new generation of digital content creators on the production and dissemination of public-interest information, highlighting both opportunities and risks. Additional details can be found here.
31 | World Cities Day
World Cities Day aims to raise international awareness of urbanization trends, challenges and visions for sustainable urban development, promote international cooperation and contribute to global efforts to build equitable, prosperous, sustainable inclusive cities that provide their communities with better living environments and quality of life. The theme for this year will be linked to youth leading climate and local actions for cities. Young people advocate for bolder steps and actions to tackle climate crisis in our cities. It will draw attention on how we can capture these bold ideas and ambitious targets and turn them into achievements.
ACTNOW for our Common Future
ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Safer cities. Equality. Better jobs. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Join the campaign to learn — and do — more for #OurCommonFuture. Visit ActNow
Awake at Night Podcast
Season 9 of the UN’s award-winning podcast is now streaming! Hosted by Under-Secretary-General for Communications Melissa Fleming, Awake at Night gives exclusive insights into the inspiring lives of the extraordinary people that make up the United Nations.
Discover all the episodes here -> https://pod.link/1429922419