Saida Safaeva: Global community may fail to achieve a number of SDGs by 2030

The fight against climate change is inseparably linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they provide the foundation for translating climate commitments into practical implementation, said Saida Safaeva, Head of the Uzbekistan Center for Sustainable Development, during a roundtable held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026), Report informs.

She noted that despite extensive discussions about the upcoming COP31 in Antalya, the international community should pay significantly more attention to achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline.

"We talk so much about COP31 in Antalya, but we forget that we are also approaching another important target - 2030. There are only four years left, and time is very limited," Safaeva said.

She stressed that goals related to energy security, food security, human development and water security are closely interconnected.

Safaeva also expressed serious concern about the pace of progress in implementing the SDGs, warning that the international community risks failing to achieve a number of targets by the established deadline.

She called on international and national organizations to focus on practical measures under SDG 17, which is dedicated to partnerships.

"We really need practical and concrete steps toward implementation. There are a huge number of commitments, but very few comprehensive, integrated actions - both in my region and around the world," Safaeva stressed.