What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and are they making progress?

The SDGs are 17 global targets adopted in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace by 2030. Progress has been uneven but notable: extreme poverty has declined, child mortality has fallen, and renewable energy use is rising. However, challenges remain in climate action, inequality, and sustainable consumption. Media literacy ensures audiences understand both successes and gaps, avoiding overly negative or overly optimistic narratives. Evidence shows that global cooperation under the SDGs has mobilized governments, businesses, and communities toward shared progress, demonstrating a blueprint for coordinated development in the 21st century.