Sustainable Development: Critical Analysis of Poverty and Inequality in the 2030 Agenda

The 2030 Agenda consists of a declaration with 17 goals aimed at achieving sustainable development for the signatory countries by the end of this decade. Regarding goals 1 and 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals, the research question of this article seeks to understand if and how progress has been made in the implementation of these goals, as presented by some authors. Therefore, analyses on poverty eradication and the reduction of inequalities are presented. As a methodological approach, theoretical foundations are presented, based on critical conceptions that aim to overcome the anthropocentric understanding of social and environmental relations, the limits of our planet, and the political aspects that interfere with decision-making processes for solving socio-environmental problems. Data analyses on poverty eradication and the reduction of inequalities are conducted in dialogue with the authors of the theoretical framework. As a result of these analyses, contradictions in poverty eradication and the reduction of inequalities were identified, based on recent research data. These contradictions may be aligned with the interests of economic hegemony, posing a challenge to the current patterns of production relations and productive forces. The results also indicate the need for a deeper political debate to ensure that some goals of Objectives 1 and 10 are more realistic and adapted to the needs of the most disadvantaged populations. Furthermore, the article highlights the need for autonomy and emancipation of less favored populations so that they recognize themselves as actors in the social and environmental processes within their contexts.