SDGs 4, 10 and 16: “Leave No One Behind” – Students Explore the Link between the Sustainable Development Goals and Human Rights

On 13 May 2026, a class on “Sustainable Development Goals and Human Rights” was held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy as part of the Human Rights course. It was taught by Senior Lecturer Dr. V.I. Toshmatova (PhD) of the Department of International Law and Public Law Disciplines.

The class offered a legal and academic analysis of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and their close connection to the protection of human rights. Particular attention was paid to how goals such as No Poverty (SDG 1), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) help realise fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Agenda’s core principle of “Leave No One Behind” was examined in relation to the universality of human rights and the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Participants discussed protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, creating equal opportunities, and states’ commitments on sustainable development.

The class was interactive, combining questions and answers, case analysis, debate and discussion of practical examples. Students assessed progress on the SDGs from a human rights perspective and linked it to the relevant international standards.

The class concluded that sustainable development and human rights are interconnected and mutually reinforcing: achieving the SDGs requires not only better economic and social indicators but also real protection of human dignity, equality, justice and non-discrimination.