urgent task; pressing need; imperative
Refers to something that must be done or dealt with immediately, often used in formal, business, or policy contexts.
環境問題への対応は急務だ。
Addressing environmental issues is an urgent task.
Addressing the declining birthrate is an urgent task.
Reform is considered a pressing need.
政府は経済再建を急務としている。
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.