Sustainable Development Goals and the Fundamental Needs
Internal studies conducted on all the projects birthed out of iGEM since its inception show that most iGEM projects address the Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, and 6 that entails the fundamental needs of the human race, hence the name of the challenge.
By launching this challenge, 2020 iGEMers have the chance to join the rest of the world in achieving the UN vision for 2030 by an open and inclusive collaborative approach using synthetic biology as the driving force to do so.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Stunting affects the growth and cognitive development of millions of children, while the prevalence of overweight - the other face of malnutrition - is increasing in all age groups
According to the 2019 Sustainable Goals Report, the number of people suffering from hunger has been on the rise since 2014. Food prices have increased in at least two dozen countries around the world. Over 22% of the global under 5 population is chronically malnourished. Vision 2030 for zero hunger needs intensive efforts to happen given the upward trend in the number of people suffering from hunger.
There is therefore a call to intensify efforts to implement and scale up interventions to improve access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
In rich and poor countries alike, a health emergency can push people into bankruptcy or poverty
Global efforts to eradicate malaria and tuberculosis globally has slowed down since 2003. Full immunization coverage for diseases such as measles and diphtheria has not yet been realized, with an estimated 19.9 million children not receiving the vaccine during their first year of life, putting them at risk of these diseases and other potentially fatal diseases. Progress has been made in maternal health and under-5 mortality, but in 2017, nearly 300,000 women died from issues relating to pregnancy and childbirth. Countless others also suffered from acute or even lifelong complications. If the SDG target for under-5 mortality is achieved, the lives of an additional 10 million children under 5 years of age will be saved.
Environmental health is also a major contributor to illness and death. Health personnel are stretched thin beyond their limit, especially given the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Most countries are better equipped to detect than to respond to public health emergencies.
It is clear that we need solutions that provide for all the people of the world, regardless of their economic background, and that these solutions have to be deployed quickly if Vision 2030 is to be achieved.
Concerted efforts are required on these and other fronts to achieve universal health coverage and sustainable financing for health...
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
...globally, an estimated 3 billion people are still unable to properly wash their hands at home
Water is an important resource; it is essential to other aspects of sustainable development like the eradication of poverty, human health, etc. Yet, the world faces problems such as the demand for water outpacing population growth, pollution of several natural water resources, etc. Sanitation is also closely linked to the other aspects of sustainable development like water is and is just as important. However, people around the world still practice open defecation, and achieving universal access to basic sanitation services by 2030 will require a doubling of the annual rate of progress.
...much more effort is needed to improve access to water and sanitation services, increase wastewater treatment, enhance water use efficiency, expand operational cooperation across transboundary water basins, and protect and restore freshwater ecosystems.
References
[1] ]United Nations, "The Sustainable Development Goals 2019", United Nations Publications, New York, 2019.
[2] "Communications materials", United Nations Sustainable Development. [Online]. Available: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/news/communications-material/. [Accessed: 29- May- 2020].
