Where We Are
The Sustainable Development Goals are universal and call for action by all countries – developed and developing – to revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. It requires partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society and encompasses key areas such as finance, technology, trade and data.
While there’s progress in mobilizing financial resources for development, significant challenges remain. Developing countries face a substantial $4 trillion annual investment gap to achieve the SDGs alongside unprecedented external debt levels and limited internet access in low-income nations. These persistent barriers — compounded by growing geopolitical tensions — underscore the urgent need for sustained collaboration, enhanced cooperation, and strong international support.
To be successful, everyone will need to mobilize both existing and additional resources and developed countries will need to fulfill their official development assistance commitments.
SDG 17 in Numbers
- Developing countries face a $4 trillion annual investment gap to achieve the SDGs.
- 37 out of 69 of the world’s poorest countries were in debt distress or at high risk of it in 2022.
- The share of exports from Least Developed Countries in global merchandise trade has stagnated
- at around 1% since 2011.
- 2 in 3 people used the Internet in 2022, with 259 million more male than female users.
- Official Development Assistance for data dropped by more than 20% (2018-2020).
“We cannot let our financing for development ambitions get swept away. With just five years to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to shift into overdrive.” – António Guterres, UN Secretary-General (28 April 2025)
