Since 2000, there has been enormous progress in achieving the target of universal primary education. The total enrolment rate in developing regions reached 91 percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children out of school has dropped by almost half. There has also been a dramatic increase in literacy rates, and many more girls are in school than ever before. These are all remarkable successes. But despite progress, the world failed to meet the Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015. The Sustainable Development Goals clearly recognize that this gap must be closed, even as the international community more explicitly addresses the challenges of quality and equity. Achieving inclusive and equitable quality education for all will require increasing efforts, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia and for vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities, indigenous people, refugee children and poor children in rural areas.

Gender inequalities are still deeply rooted in every society. Many women still lack access to employment opportunities, basic education, and healthcare, and they’re often subjected to violence and discrimination. The math is simple: in countries where there’s higher equality, there’s less poverty, more economic growth, and a higher standard of living. Let’s improve opportunities for everyone by dismantling barriers to women’s participation in economic, social and political life.

We can only look forward to a more equal and sustainable world if we have more peaceful and inclusive societies. That means we’ll need to reduce crime, violence, and exploitation. The illegal arms and drug trade will have to stop. Public institutions that we all rely on will have to be effective, transparent and accountable.