The United Nations has [warned / waned] that the world is not on track to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The goals were [complemented / implemented] in 2015 to improve people's lives and protect the [planetary / planet] . They include eliminating poverty, improving education, [reducing / reduction] gender inequality, and tackling climate change. However, the UN has reported that only about one third [of / on] the goals are currently on track to [be / have] met. Around half are progressing too [slow / slowly] . Wars, climate change, slow economic growth, [arising / rising] debt, financing gaps, and other global shocks are making progress difficult. The UN has called [on / at] countries to increase their efforts [at / in] the run-up to 2030.
The UN did report signs [off / of] progress. It noted that one billion more people now have [access / excess] to drinking water. Internet [collectively / connectivity] has also increased, from around 40 per cent of the world's population in 2015 to about 74 per cent [today / then] . Despite these improvements, many serious challenges [remain / remaining] . In particular, there is a considerable lack [on / of] progress on gender equality. A UN spokesperson said: "At the current [ratio / rate] of progress, gender equality would take 171 years [to / for] achieve." Another official said governments needed to invest more money in infrastructure and institutions. The official also wanted countries to cooperate [more / much] . The UN said the goals could still be achieved, but much faster action was [needed / needy] .
