The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently released its 2023/24 Human Development Report, revealing that Nigeria and the rest of the world are falling short in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The report, launched in Nigeria by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, emphasized the global failure to meet the 2030 Agenda and the promise of leaving no one behind.
The report highlighted a partial, incomplete, and unequal rebound in the global Human Development Index (HDI), which measures a country’s Gross National Income, education, and life expectancy. Edun acknowledged Nigeria’s poor HDI status and stressed the urgent need for improvement, calling for ambitious reforms in global economic governance to support the implementation of the SDGs and human rights.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, pointed out that polarization and mismanagement of cross-border interdependencies are hindering international cooperation and exacerbating contemporary challenges. He emphasized the importance of addressing polarization to foster global cooperation and tackle shared challenges.
UNDP Nigeria’s Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, highlighted the significance of the HDR in redefining development and evaluating progress. She urged political leaders and development practitioners to raise their ambitions and address key challenges to prevent further decline in human progress. Attafuah emphasized the need to reimagine cooperation and work towards delivering global public goods for the benefit of all.
The launch event was attended by government officials including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed M.M Fall. The annual Human Development Report has been a key knowledge product for the past 34 years, ranking countries based on health, education, and living standards.
The report calls for a shift in global cooperation to address polarization, shape a shared digital future, and navigate the challenges of the Anthropocene era. It serves as a roadmap for reimagining development cooperation and advancing human aspirations in a rapidly changing world.
