2024 in Focus: 10 Things That Shaped Our World

2024 has been a year of extraordinary contrasts for the Global Goals – from huge highs to devastating lows. As we reflect on the pivotal moments that defined this year, it becomes clear how deeply they will shape our collective future. Come with us to take a closer look at 10 defining moments from 2024, and consider what they mean for our path forward.

Super Year for Elections

This year was BIG for elections with nearly half the global population across 64 countries and the EU heading to the polls for the chance to play a part in shaping their nation’s future. 

Women’s Fight for Justice

We have seen the harsh rollback of women’s rights with Afghan women facing severe gender apartheid under Taliban rule. Meanwhile, in France Gisèle Pelicot bravely made her rape trial public, reaffirming women’s rights are human rights.

Gaza

The crisis in Gaza has left 90% of the population displaced, with famine reaching critical levels and the health service on the brink of total collapse. This underscores the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as well as disarmament.

Medical Breakthroughs

Advances in HIV treatment cured 7 people this year, while AI-assisted diagnostics identified 13 more types of breast cancer than humans alone. Innovations like these are critical in early detection and reducing deaths.

A Momentous Year for LGBTQ+ Rights

This year Greece, Aruba and Estonia legalised same-sex marriage; Dominica and Namibia decriminalised homosexuality and New South Wales banned conversion therapy. There is still a long way to go towards achieving full equality for people of all genders and sexualities, but these were some milestones worth celebrating.

Rise of Cultural Movements

From trends like Brat and Demure, to viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng and the Taylor Swift Eras tour, pop movements permeated culture this year, sparking global conversations about identity and expression. 

Escalating Climate Crises

2024 was the hottest year on record, and climate crises intensified. From Florida’s twin hurricanes, to Nepal’s deadly floods, a super typhoon in the Philippines, and severe forest fires across Europe, millions of people’s lives were impacted.

Indigenous Voices on Top

Lily Gladstone became the first Indigenous person in history to receive a golden globe, while Indigenous communities won several historic cases reclaiming their land and protecting nature.

A Historic Olympics

The Paris 2024 games were the most sustainable yet and achieved gender parity for the first time ever with equal female and male athletes represented. 

Syria’s Turning Point

After the fall of a decades-long dictatorial regime and years of civil war, many Syrians are hopeful for the country’s next chapter. Nevertheless, the future remains uncertain. 

So, what does this all mean for the Global Goals as we look forward to 2025 and beyond? With only 17% of the goals are on track – the challenges outlined here – harrowing conflicts, climate crises and the erosion of women’s rights – demand bold and urgent action. Yet at the same time, pockets of progress across multiple areas – breakthroughs in medicine, the resurgence of Indigenous leadership, and historic strides toward equality – are cause for hope. They remind us of the extraordinary progress we can achieve when we work together. 

When we look back at the most world-changing milestones of the last decade, many of the most powerful go forgotten: 14 countries have been certified as Malaria free, 50 million girls have been enrolled in school, and the global poverty rate declined to 8.5%, lifting approximately 120 million people out of extreme poverty. This is to say that progress is happening every day—even if it doesn’t always make the headlines. In the face of setbacks, we must amplify triumphs, learn from challenges, and channel our collective power to prove that a just, equitable, and sustainable world for all is not beyond reach.