urgent task; pressing need; imperative
Refers to something that must be done or dealt with immediately, often used in formal, business, or policy contexts.
Addressing environmental issues is an urgent task.
Reform is considered a pressing need.
Addressing the declining birthrate is an urgent task.
The government treats economic recovery as an urgent priority.
Countries are tackling the urgent task of environmental issues.
優先事項 means a 'priority matter' in general, whereas 急務 stresses that the task cannot wait and must be dealt with immediately.
課題 is a neutral word for a task or issue to be addressed, while 急務 specifically marks that task as urgent and pressing.
Compound of 急 (urgent) and 務 (duty, task). The meaning is transparent from its components.