Tired of reports that just state the problems? This book provides the solutions.

This is your practical guide to turning global goals into real-world action. It dives into the most critical challenges we face. We explore the massive debt crisis hindering investment in health and education. We analyze why development aid is shrinking and what that means for people in need. The book examines our fragile data systems and the need for evidence-based policy. It confronts the tough reality of extreme poverty affecting 808 million people and the 3.8 billion without a social safety net. You'll learn about the dual crisis of global hunger and child malnutrition. We cover setbacks in global health, from maternal mortality to post-pandemic immunization gaps. The book addresses the learning crisis, with millions of children out of school and proficiency declining. It explores the slow progress on gender equality and the fight for women's rights in law and leadership. We also tackle the urgent need for clean water and sanitation for the 2.2 billion and 3.4 billion people left behind, respectively. The guide lays out a path for a clean energy transition, aiming to reach the 645 million people projected to lack electricity by 2030. It examines the future of work amid high informality and eroding labor rights. Finally, it offers roadmaps for building sustainable cities, fighting the climate emergency, and protecting our planet's biodiversity.

What makes this book different? It doesn't just recite statistics. While other books diagnose the problems, this guide is a prescription for action. It’s a hands-on toolkit built for policymakers, development workers, and anyone ready to make a change. Instead of just noting the 1.12 billion people living in slums, it details practical solutions for upgrading settlements and improving housing affordability. Rather than simply stating the goal to triple renewable energy, it provides a sectoral guide for action in electricity, heat, and transport. Each chapter moves “From Theory to Action,” offering actionable roadmaps, policy frameworks, and investment guides grounded in real-world case studies and successful examples. This book bridges the critical gap between understanding the challenges outlined in the 2025 Global Sustainable Development Agenda and knowing the concrete steps required to achieve them.

Disclaimer: This work is an independently produced analysis. The author has no affiliation with the United Nations. Its purpose is to provide commentary and practical guidance based on publicly available data, and its production is protected under nominative fair use.

Economic Development