SDG Index for Latin America and the Caribbean
Report link here: https://cods.uniandes.edu.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/%C3%8Dndice-ODS-2019-para-Am%C3%A9rica-Latina-y-el-Caribe-2.pdf
On June 16, the SDG Center for Latin America and the Caribbean (CODS), housed at the Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes) in Bogotá, Colombia, officially launched the SDG Index for Latin America and the Caribbean, which assesses progress made on the 2030 Agenda in the region. The launch event included presentations by Alejandro Gaviria, president of Uniandes, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Felipe Castro, assistant director of CODS.
Felipe Castro explained that the Index is the result of data collection and analysis of most of the social, environmental and economic indicators available in Latin America and the Caribbean during 2019. It evaluates levels of implementation of the 17 SDGs in 24 countries of the region. In total, 96 indicators were used to assess advancement on the SDGs. According to Castro, performance in the region "was not what was expected and if this trend continues, the goals would not even be met in the next 50 years."
While the SDG index for the region was completed before the Covid-19 hit the region, prior to its publication, a section which provides an initial assessment of the potential impacts that the Covid-19 pandemic could have on meeting the 17 SDGs, was added. In this regard, Prof. Sachs noted that the pandemic has different effects and will change all dimensions in society. “We have realized that leaders are really important. In countries where leaders are not aligned with science and public health, as in Brazil and the United States, unprecedented disasters are occurring. The presidents of these countries just want to open up the economy without considering the impacts of a widespread infection especially on the most vulnerable sectors of the population." This situation, he added, is similar in Mexico. However, in Colombia, Chile and Argentina, attempts have been made to contain the pandemic.
"We need a regional strategy to contain this pandemic," said Prof. Sachs. For the epidemic to be under control, not only do political leaders need to agree on public health measures, but they should coordinate on policies and measures to reactivate the economy. He also highlighted three structural challenges confronting Latin America and the Caribbean: inequality, governance and institutions, innovation and science development. Prof. Sachs also emphasized the need to rethink the dependence on fossil fuels in the region. "We should focus on new renewable energy systems. The region has enormous potential in solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal energy”.
Alejandro Gaviria addressed the potential impacts of Covid-19 on the 2030 Agenda. He highlighted the dramatic impact the pandemic is having on the economy and will surely have on achieving the SDGs. The LAC SDG Index measures the level of performance for 2019, the gaps may be greater in 2020. For example, Gaviria said that Chile, which ranks in first place, has a 25% gap with regards to achieving the SDGs. With the pandemic’s effects on poverty and inequality, the gaps might be substantially higher.
Gaviria added that there is a positive correlation between human development indicators and the SDGs. He highlighted that there are some countries that have suffered setbacks since 2015, when the 2030 Agenda was adopted. These setbacks are evident in countries such as Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela. On the other hand, countries such as Panama, Peru, Colombia and the Dominican Republic show positive progress in the SDGs related to human development.
The pandemic has revealed inequalities in wealth, access to health, labor formality and, in general, the fragmentation of social protection systems in the region. However, Gaviria is hopeful the pandemic can "unleash a collective awareness of the ways to produce and consume, our relationship with nature and the urgent need to implement the 2030 Agenda."
Prof. Sachs pointed out that the world must recover in a green, equitable, and healthy pathway, as is being considered in Europe and Asia, where different "green deals" are being promoted to ensure investments in sustainable development, such as clean transport and decarbonization of different industries. In Latin America, unlike other regions of the world, there is no clear energy transition strategy and it is unfortunately very divided politically.
Gaviria stressed that the 2030 Agenda is ideal for deepening regional and global governance mechanisms. In Latin America, he said, “one of the big problems is that it is a region that was practically unprotected. The declines in oil prices, in tourism and in the local economy in general are going to cause more serious effects than in other parts of the world.”
Latin America needs an economic response based on innovation and the strengthening of institutions, said Prof. Sachs. The role of technology and digitization will be key in the future and Latin America does not play a key role in that area. “We are in a more digital world than we had six months ago. So, it is necessary to focus on digitization, on universal access to 5G and on the development of a digital economy that allows the economy in Latin America to diversify.”
View Felipe Castro’s presentation slides in Spanish here and Alejandro Gaviria’s presentation slides in Spanish here.
View the event recording in English and Spanish here.
https://www.sdgindex.org/?utm_source=SDSN&utm_campaign=1da1fdf413-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_2302100059-1da1fdf413-177791269&mc_cid=1da1fdf413&mc_eid=ba8354898c