The 2025 Session of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) concluded on July 23, wrapping up nearly two weeks of intensive debate and discussions on progress—or a lack thereof—towards the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Convened annually by the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), this year’s HLPF brought together more than 6,000 stakeholders from across government, the UN system, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Under the theme of advancing sustainable, inclusive, science-, and evidence-based solutions, the HLPF conducted in-depth reviews of good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), life below water (SDG 14), and partnerships (SDG 17). Additionally, 35 countries (amongst them Germany) presented Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), highlighting their successes, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing the 2030 Agenda at the national and sub-national levels.
With only five years left until the 2030 deadline, the outlook for the SDGs is mixed and marked with urgency. To be sure, incredible advancements have been achieved, transforming the lives of millions across the globe. Expanded access to infrastructure now means that 92 percent of the world’s population has access to electricity and 68 percent to the Internet, positively impacting health and wellbeing, productivity, education, and more. Compared to 2015 levels, more children and youth are entering and completing school, and notably, the gender gap in education is narrowing. At the same time, though, many lives have also been left behind. According to the latest figures, only 35 percent of the SDGs show adequate progress, with 18 percent on track to be achieved and 17 percent experiencing moderate progress. More than half are progressing too slowly, and 18 percent have even regressed.
As the countdown to 2030 continues, can the global community deliver on its promise to "leave no one behind”? A momentous task lies ahead, made even more challenging by the fraught global context, diminished financing, and decreased political will. Yet, there is cause for cautious optimism, whether it lies in a majority’s reaffirmed commitment to the 2030 Agenda, bottom-up approaches to SDG implementation, or embracing UN reform to accelerate sustainable development. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pressed, “the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach, but only if we act—with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve.”
A Changing Development Landscape
A key precondition for progress in development is the existence of a relatively stable environment, both at the local and global levels. However, the growing uncertainty, instability, and complexity of the past years will continue at least in the short- and mid-term. Several factors have contributed to this challenging environment for sustainable development:
Pandemic shock: While many wish and tend to forget about the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact is still felt keenly in less wealthier regions. Years after, developing countries are struggling with the pandemic’s negative effects, such as high public debt, and job and income loss. Among the pandemic’s mid- and long-term consequences, learning loss and widening inequalities in education will also negatively impact economic performance in the future. Moreover, many developing countries have to use their limited resources for debt service, instead of investing in education, infrastructure, or healthcare and thereby slowing down socio-economic development for years to come.
More conflict: Since 2010, the number of global conflicts has risen significantly, and since 2017, remained at the highest level since the end of the Cold War. Of course, certain regions are more affected than others, but the overall trend is clear and points to more regional and global instability. In such an environment, achieving progress in the domain of sustainable development has become more difficult.
Geopolitical tensions: Competition between great powers and tensions in the international system have constantly increased over the past years. On the one hand, it provides developing countries with leverage, because they can use competition to their advantage and try to get as much support as possible from different actors by adopting strategic neutrality. On the other hand, they face pressure to take a side and risk being dragged into conflict. At the same time, less resources for official development assistance (ODA) are available due to other priorities of industrialized countries, in particular Europe.
Financing shortfall: Although the steps taken by the new U.S. administration are the most prominent and impactful example of massive reductions to development financing, other traditional donor countries like Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France are cutting back on their assistance to developing countries and multilateral organizations. The underlying reasons for this trend are a shift in the priorities of industrialized countries to higher defense budgets in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions, as well as pressure from populist movements advocating for disengagement and a focus on domestic issues. At the same time, the gap in development financing is widening, as shown during the recent Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla. Indeed, this could also be seen as an opportunity for African countries to redefine their relation to ODA and make them less dependent, but this will take time and cause enormous harm to short-term needs, such as healthcare.
Global trade: Entering a potential post-ODA era making it increasingly important for developing countries to boost trade and attract investment to make economic progress. However, the new U.S. administration and its approach to international trade represents a massive risk for developing countries and their trade relations with one of their most important export markets. The phasing out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—which grants a large number of products from countries in sub-Sahara Africa duty-free access to the U.S. market—and potential high tariffs could hit those economies hard. However, the impact will vary since products or resources relevant to the U.S. economy might be subject to exemptions.
Lessened political commitment to multilateralism: In general, the appetite for strong international cooperation is weakening, and with it, political commitment to multilateral solutions. This affects the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, which countries of the G77 regard as the most important multilateral process and best way for them to achieve socio-economic development. The fact that the United States has not only distanced itself from the SDGs is illustrative of such disengagement from the development agenda, as well as a considerable setback.
Outlook for the SDGs: Glass Half Full or Half Empty?
Commitment In the Face of Collective Challenges
For all the uncertainties and divisions plaguing multilateral development cooperation, the global community remains largely united behind the 2030 Agenda. Member States adopted the pre-negotiated Ministerial Declaration, with 154 countries voting overwhelmingly in favor, the United States and Israel against, and abstentions from Iran and Paraguay. Prior to the vote—requested by the U.S.—several Member States introduced amendments relating to sexual health and reproductive rights, access to medicines, and decent employment for all; however, all were rejected.
In an ambitious document, Member States reaffirmed their commitment to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda, recognizing it as the overarching roadmap to achieve sustainable development and the world’s interlocking crises. In addition to identifying the trends and challenges impacting SDG implementation, the Declaration lays out 119 priority actions for the 2030 Agenda at large, as well as specific actions relating to good health and well-being, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, life below water, and partnerships. Key actions included in the Declaration include, for example, an endorsement of the Sevilla Commitment; bridging the digital, technological, and science gap; and a call for partnerships at all levels with different stakeholders.
Think Globally, Act Locally
At a time when national governments are falling short of their commitments to the 2030 Agenda, subnational leadership is stepping up and translating global goals into local action. Throughout several special and side events at this year’s HLPF, local and regional leaders highlighted their innovative successes in adapting the SDGs to the specific contexts and needs of their communities and embedding the SDGs in their policies, planning, and governance. For example, more than 90 percent of Nordic municipalities are now working towards meeting the SDG targets. Meanwhile, Jakarta reported the lowest gender inequality index in the nation in 2024, as a result of improved urban safety measures for women on public transportation and in public spaces. In view of the insufficient progress towards the 2030 Agenda, these examples underscore the value of embracing a “whole-of-society" approach to accelerate SDG implementation.
Building on their achievements, representatives also called for increased collaboration among, and between, local and regional governments around the world to discuss common struggles, share solutions, and forge partnerships on sustainable development. Proposals for greater city-to-city exchanges or “multicitylateralism”—as termed by Tokyo’s Governor—further demonstrate the global citizen mindset of local leadership.
Despite their great strides in advancing the 2030 Agenda, local and regional leaders face several key challenges, as well. Representatives stressed the importance of stronger financial mechanisms, as well as greater capacity-building, to support local and regional SDG implementation. In keeping with the vision for a networked and inclusive multilateral system, representatives urged greater engagement between the United Nations system and subnational authorities. While they are increasingly taking part in intergovernmental processes, local and regional leaders should have more of a seat at the table as partners for change. In this regard, many underscored the need for local ownership in development. As they are at the level closest to people affected, local and regional governments should be co-creators at the outset of development policies, strategies, and solutions, not just implementers.
Embracing Reform to Deliver on the Promise of the Sustainable Development Goals
Sparked by last year’s Summit of the Future, revitalizing the multilateral system to be fit for purpose has been top of mind for the UN as it struggles to address the world’s mounting challenges. The UN80 Initiative, announced by Secretary-General Guterres in March, sets out to reform the organization, making it more effective, cost-efficient, and responsive. Within this context, the ECOSOC’s High-Level Segment at the conclusion of the HLPF explored how the charter organ can revitalize its leadership and functions to advance sustainable development.
Discussion highlighted the fragmented nature of the UN’s development system, which has resulted in the duplication of and incoherence among mandates. Reform efforts should focus on strengthening the ECOSOC’s coordination role, allowing for better institutional connections between the various commissions, bodies, specialized agencies, programs, and funds in the development ecosystem. Calls for greater inclusion were a common refrain, as well. While the ECOSOC serves as a platform for broader UN partnership and dialogue, it can help move the needle for inclusive multilateralism, ensuring that the voices of “bridge-builders, problem-solvers, and rights-holders" are heard.
In view of the funding shortfall for development, discussants urged ECOSOC to drive forward dialogue and efforts to reform the international financial architecture, as well as embrace more innovative finance mechanisms. Particular emphasis was placed on making the ECOSOC more agile and anticipatory. The COVID-19 pandemic functioned as a wake-up call for the UN, shedding light on the importance of reducing the risk of future shocks. To that end, future-proofing the ECOSOC—and UN at large—will help prevent global shocks from escalating into crises and eventually catastrophes.
The SDGs as an Avenue for Stronger Ties with Developing Countries
With the priority they place on sustainable development, the G77 countries see the 2030 Agenda as the central multilateral process. In times of great power competition, this also carries strategic implications. In this regard, the recent disengagement of the U.S. - which views the SDGs as in conflict with its national interest - creates an opportunity for China to position itself as a reliable partner to developing countries, for example, by criticizing tariffs as a major obstacle to the realization of the SDGs during meetings in the UN Security Council or HLPF. At the same time, strong commitment from the European Union (EU) and its Member States to the SDGs offers a possibility for improved relations with developing countries in general and with Africa in particular.
Conclusion
Amid great uncertainty, instability, and complexity, the global development landscape remains in flux. But as UNCTAD’s Secretary-General questioned, is it retrenching or reorganizing?
Delivering on the promise of the 2030 Agenda will require robust international cooperation, to mobilize financing, launch partnerships, and leverage diverse perspectives for innovative, transformative action. At this juncture—and with only five years left—it is imperative that the development landscape reorganize with multilateralism at its core.
In general, it is clear that a broad majority of countries remains largely united behind the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap for people, planet, and prosperity. This collective commitment should not be underestimated.
Since the U.S. disengaged from the 2030 Agenda process, it is more important than ever that the EU and Germany decide how they can substantially contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by 2030, since it offers them an important avenue for cooperation and partnership with developing countries in times of geopolitical tensions. This will require not only rhetorical but financial commitment.
While every effort should be undertaken to accelerate progress on implementation of the SDGs, it also merits deliberation of a sustainable development agenda post-2030. The Pact for the Future proposes to consider in September 2027 a way forward to advance sustainable development by 2030 and beyond. This seems far too late. Since the development context has evolved dramatically since 2015, it would be better to start the debate earlier as finding agreement in the current political context will be challenging.
