Context:

The novel coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) will have severe negative impacts on most of the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a report that has tracked the progress of 166 countries since 2015.

About:

The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.

The report says

• The reports said COVID-19 had negatively affected several goals including.
• • SDG 1 (no poverty)
  • SDG 2 (zero hunger)
  • SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing)
  • SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth)
  • SDG 10 (reduced inequalities

At the same time, the pandemic had brought “immediate relief” in areas related to:

• SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production)
• SDG 13 (climate action)
• SDG 14 (life below water)
• SDG 15 (life on land).

The progress so far

• Since 2015, the world had seen the most rapid progress towards SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• Most countries faced major challenges on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDGs 12–15 on climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

India stand

• India ranked at 117, with a score of 61.9 out of 100. It ranked below two South Asian nations — Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• India faces major challenges in 10 of the 17 SDGs which include — zero hunger, good health, gender inequality among others.
• There are significant challenges in another three SDGs — no poverty (SDG 1), Life below water (SDG 14), and Life on land (SDG 15).