According to the UNDP's Human Development Report 2023-24, the rich countries are getting even richer, and half of the world's poorest countries continue to become poorer, worse than before the COVID crisis.
Inequalities continue to grow between rich and poor countries. This is the conclusion of the 2023-24 Human Development Report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The rich countries have experienced unprecedented development, details the UNDP report, but half of the world's poorest countries continue to languish below their pre-COVID crisis levels.
"The growing gap in human development revealed by the report shows that the two-decade trend of gradually reducing inequalities between rich and poor countries is now reversed," comments UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner.
"Despite our deeply interconnected global societies, we are failing to meet our goals. We must leverage our interdependence as well as our capabilities to address our common existential challenges and ensure that people's aspirations are met," he adds, emphasizing the significant human toll behind these statistics.
"The failure of collective action to advance the fight against climate change, digitalization, poverty, and inequalities not only hampers human development but also increases polarization and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide," he believes.
Polarization
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, also addressed the bleak conclusions revealed by the Human Development Report, noting that while it explores the roots of polarization and its "devastating" impact on sustainable development, it also shows "our best hope for the future."
"The report calls for the urgent expansion of our international cooperation systems so that they can address people's priorities: sustainable development; a clean environment; a livable planet; safety, security, and dignity for all," said the UN chief.
He also highlighted the importance of the upcoming Future Summit in September.
"As we prepare for this Summit, I commend the Human Development Report as an important contribution. It shows that the solutions to global problems are within our reach - by reinventing cooperation and uniting for a better world," he added.
Threat
The head of UNDP, Achim Steiner, further emphasized that in a world marked by increasing polarization and division, "failing to invest in each other poses a serious threat to our well-being and security."
"Protectionist approaches cannot address the complex and interconnected challenges we face, including pandemic prevention, climate change, and digital regulation," he stated.
He added that interconnected problems require interconnected solutions.
"By adopting a program focused on opportunities and emphasizing the benefits of the energy transition and artificial intelligence for human development, we have a chance to break out of the current impasse and revive our commitment to a common future," he said.
