In 2022, there was a significant and sudden decrease in worldwide collaboration. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia violated the United Nations Charter and put the lives of millions in danger. It also expedited a series of interconnected global issues and cascaded one into another in food, fuel, and energy.
The pandemic caused by COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc worldwide, and fresh research revealed just how catastrophic the pandemic has been, even beyond the disastrous effects it has had on our health. The spread of false information and disinformation posed direct and immediate dangers to the well-being of communities and political institutions.
After hitting record levels in 2022, concentrations of greenhouse gases continued to grow. Additionally, scores of natural disasters, including significant floods and hurricanes, contributed to the need for humanitarian assistance. The global economic crises have nearly completely wiped out humanity by penetrating families and personal finances.
The year 2023 will mark the halfway point to the year 2030. During that time, there will be a series of important reviews to determine where we stand with ambitious global agreements on topics such as sustainable development, climate change, gender equity, financing, natural disasters, and universal health coverage, to name only a few.
To make the most of the chance, we must conduct an open and honest evaluation of our current situation. However, when taken as a whole, these reviews will present an opportunity to build political momentum, make bold new commitments, and form inclusive coalitions.
Top 5 Global Issues To Consider In 2023
#1 Worsening Climate Crisis
Worsening climate crises is one of the major global issues of the world. At COP 27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, new finance mechanisms, including a “loss and damage” facility for countries currently suffering from climate change, were agreed upon, advancing climate justice. In 2022, this and the Secretary-Early General’s Warnings for All project addressed climate change’s disproportionate impact on developing nations.
Despite conflicts between developed and developing nations, countries at COP 15 on biodiversity resolved to safeguard at least 30% of the world’s lands, inland waters, coastal areas, and oceans by 2030. The World Meteorological Organization’s Provisional State of the Global Climate predicts rising emissions this year.
Climate adaptation must be prioritized after 2022’s natural disasters, especially Pakistan’s flooding. At COP 28, governments are anticipated to agree to a new global adaptation objective. COP 28 will conclude the first Paris Agreement Global Stocktake. Member States had until COP 28 to settle key features of the “loss and damage” facility negotiated this year.
#2 COVID-19’s After Effects
The Omicron variety caused a global COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, with over 300 million cases. The global issue of epidemic has killed 6.6 million people. COVAX, the UN-led global initiative to expedite equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations, showed new expressions of solidarity, but vaccine access remains shamefully unequal.
72.8% of high-income and 28.9% of low-income countries had gotten at least one dosage by December 2022. COVID-19 also hurts immunization initiatives. Immunization coverage fell from 86% in 2019 to 81% in 2021. In 2022, Mpox spread to almost 80,000 cases. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and others battled health misinformation.
Countries started negotiating a new pandemic treaty this year to improve pandemic preparedness and response. Global health funding also improved this year. A Pandemic Fund helps low- and middle-income countries prepare for pandemics. In 2023, countries will negotiate a pandemic pact for May 2024.
In May, countries agreed to significantly increase the proportion of flexible and predictable financing available to the World Health Organization, and a global pledging conference for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria raised more than $15.6 billion, the largest amount ever raised by a multilateral health fund.
#3 Controlled Global Development
Throughout the past two generations, the global GDP has quadrupled, practically every country has become richer, and more than a billion people have escaped extreme poverty. The Covid-19 outbreak, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the spike in global inflation have all contributed to a reversal of that progress that mutually reinforced one another.
As a result of the erosion of economic and political gains, billions of people will be in a more precarious position in 2023. There will be a reduction in the size of the global middle class, followed by increased political instability within nations. There is far too much riding on the outcome to go with any other option.
#4 Acute Food Shortages
According to the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises, the number of people experiencing food insecurity is at an all-time high. Acute food insecurity affected up to 193 million people worldwide in 2021, representing an increase of about 40 million individuals compared to the previous year’s total. Shortage of food is one of the major global issues throughout the world.
The causes include “economic shocks,” such as a surge in the price of food on a worldwide scale. Domestic food price inflation also skyrocketed in countries with low per capita incomes. There is little doubt that international collaboration will be tested in new ways, and the sense of urgency required to reach the deadlines set for 2030 will become even more apparent.
#5 Cyber Security Threats
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2022 highlighted cybersecurity vulnerabilities as a potential concern. It is the increasing adoption of digital technology, partly prompted by COVID-19. The likelihood of cyberattacks occurring in several “advanced economies” has recently increased.
Attacks caused by malware and ransomware saw increases of 358% and 435%, respectively, in the year 2020. It is due to several factors, including inadequate governance and improved means of assault. Attacks on computer networks have weakened public trust. As nations increasingly rely on digitization, their cybersecurity measures must maintain pace.
Conclusion
To make the most of the chances available in 2023, it will be necessary to take a straightforward and truthful look at the areas in which the world has veered off course without allowing oneself to become disheartened by the magnitude of the problem. As the humanitarian, health, and climatic crises continue to worsen, global leaders will have to choose solidarity.
Governments must take action for people and the earth in ways that have never been done before. The globe will continue to struggle with the widespread ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and COVID-19’s long tail in 2023, and these crises will impact the whole world. In this regard, 2022 has established several solid bases.
There is no room for delay at this point. The whole world might expand to make the most of the year ahead. And we have to come together to combat these global issues.
