【Five goals, including gender equality, are rated as "serious challenges（深刻な課題）"】
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are international goals
adopted unanimously（全会一致） at the United Nations Summit in 2015. Based
on the basic principle of leaving no one behind（誰一人取り残さないという基本理念）, the
SDGs were set as sustainable development goals by the international
community to achieve a better and more sustainable future by 2030. The
SDGs consist of（成り立っている） 17 goals and 169 targets. This year marks the
halfway point（折り返し地点） toward realizing the SDGs by 2030, but Japan's
achievement ranking has dropped to 21st place, the lowest ever（過去最低）.

【What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?】
The SDGs are often seen and heard on TV, in newspapers, and on the
Internet. Many people may be familiar with them（よく見聞きする）, as they have
been covered in school classes（学校の授業でも取り上げられている）. However, few people
remember the details of the SDGs, so let's look back a little.
The SDGs are designed to solve environmental problems,
discrimination（差別）, poverty（貧困）, and human rights issues（人権問題） that
the world is facing by 2030. Global leaders and experts gather at the
World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. At the
Davos meeting（ダボス会議）, the World Economic Forum (WEF＝世界経済フォーラム) a
announced t hat " by achieving the SDGs, at least $12 trillion in
economic value and 380 million jobs will be created by 2030." Japan
established "the SDGs promotion headquarters(SDGs推進本部)," headed by the Prime Minister. All Ministers formulate the " SDGs
Action Plan", which details various efforts of the Japanese Government
to achieve the SDGs every year. Japan aims to take the lead in
implementing the SDGs both domestically and internationally(国内外で).

【The 17 SDG goals and their 169 targets】
Many people have already seen the 17 goals of the SDGs presented as
colorful icons. However, for those who find it difficult to remember
the 17 goals in detail, how about understanding them by grouping them
into broader themes(広いテーマにまとめて)?
The top six goals can be summarized as themes related to "human life
and rights,(人間の生活と権利)" such as the eradication of poverty and
hunger(貧困と飢餓の撲滅), and gender equality. The middle six goals focus on
"economic activities,(経済活動)" such as decent work(働きがいのある仕事), economic
growth(経済成長), and affordable clean energy. The third section includes
"global challenges" such as climate change(気候変動), environmental
issues(環境問題), peace, and justice.
In order to achieve these 17 goals, 169 targets have been established.
However, the SDGs are voluntary and not mandatory.

【SDSN evaluates the achievement of SDGs】
On June 21, "the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)," an
international research organization in collaboration with the United
Nations, announced "the 2023 edition of its Sustainable Development
Report(2023年版持続可能な開発レポート)," which evaluates the achievement of SDGs in
countries around the world. SDSN has published the SDGs achievement
level, which is a score out of 100 for each country's efforts to
achieve SDGs based on statistical data from the United Nations and
research institutes since 2016.
Finland ranked at the top for the third consecutive year. Sweden came
in second, and Denmark was third. European countries held all the top
20 positions. Japan has maintained its position in the top 10 since
the 2016 survey but dropped to its lowest ranking of 21st place from
19th place last year.
The countries are rated in four grades for each of the 17 categories.
The grades are " SDG achieved(SDG達成)," "Challenges remain(課題が残る),"
"Significant challenges remain(大きな課題が残る)," and "Major challenges
remain(深刻な課題が残る)." Japan has already achieved two of the targets of
the SDGs: "Quality Education" and "Industry, Innovation and
Infrastructure(産業・技術革新の基盤)," as it did last year. However, the five
goals of "Gender Equality," "Responsible Consumption and
Production(責任ある消費と生産)," "Climate Action(気候変動への対策)," "Life Below
Water(海の豊かさを守ること)," and "Life On Land(陸の豊かさを守ること)"were evaluated as
"Serious challenges." Among the remaining 10 goals(残りの10の目標のうち), five
goals are rated as "Major challenges remain," including "No Poverty,"
and five goals are rated as "Significant challenges remain," including
"Zero Hunger(飢餓をゼロに)."

【Five goals rated as "serious challenges"】
It has been pointed out that there are serious challenges in achieving
"Gender Equality." Japan’s poor performance stems from the slow
progress in women’s participation in politics and economic activities.
A typical example is(典型的な例として) the ratio of male to female members of
parliament(国会議員の男女比率). The wage gap between men a nd women i s a lso
significant. These factors contribute to low evaluations.
In terms of "Responsible Consumption and Production," delays in waste
prevention(廃棄物の防止), reduction, and recycling have been indicated.
Additionally, the increasing amount of plastic waste and the export of
waste to developing countries(発展途上国への廃棄物の輸出) are also significant
problems.
"Climate Action," "Life Below Water," and "Life on Land" are all
directly related to environmental issues. In order for countries and
companies to actively engage in activities, it is essential to
consider the global and natural environment(地球規模の自然環境を考慮することが不可欠). It
is important to formulate and implement measures
quickly(迅速に対策を立て、実行すること).

【Global movements concerning the SDGs】
This SDSN report begins with the statement(声明) that "the SDGs are
facing strong headwinds(SDGsは強い逆風に直面している)" and serves as a midterm
report(中間報告) toward achieving the goals by 2030. It expresses a sense
of crisis(危機感を表明) that "the SDGs are seriously off
track(SDGsが深刻に遅れている)." The global economy has been severely impacted
by a series of COVID-19 crises since 2020, and the achievement of the
SDGs, particularly in developing countries, has continued to decline.
The report emphasizes(強調) that "the SDGs remain fundamental for the
future we want(SDGsは私たちが望む未来のために依然として重要である)" and strongly calls for
financial assistance and investment(財政支援と投資) through various
international conferences, such as COP28. As individuals, there are
many things we can do, such as saving energy and recycling waste. It
is important to understand the principles of the SDGs in our daily
lives(日常生活).