Progressing National SDG Implementation 2024
Advancing global goals in an increasingly multipolar world: Unpacking a year of mixed SDG progress
The bulk of Voluntary National Review (VNR) reports submitted by countries to the United Nations in 2024 sounded the alarm on slow progress across many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the climate crisis as well as rising poverty and social inequality being singled out as key areas of concern.
Key Messages
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Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential but uneven: While partnerships across sectors are increasing, many remain ad hoc or poorly coordinated, with limited visibility into who is involved, the nature of power dynamics among actors, and their concrete outcomes.
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Civil society adds vital local knowledge and accountability: CSOs are central to localization, monitoring, and advocacy, but often face funding and access barriers that limit their impact.
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Youth and academia are driving innovation and awareness: Young people and academic institutions bring energy, ideas, and evidence-based insights, but need to be integrated in a more structured way in decision-making processes.
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Parliamentary action is growing but must deepen: While legislatures are increasingly embedding SDGs in law and budget processes, political dynamics and limited capacity still pose challenges in many countries.
Many countries noted continuing challenges in maintaining SDG momentum due to the lingering effects of conflicts, climate impacts, and economic instability. The two first-time VNR presentations in 2024 were by South Sudan and Yemen, both grappling to rebuild their economies and fragile governance following years of conflict and humanitarian crises.
While it is not designed to provide a comprehensive review of official reports, this annual "fact-check" by a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) aims to support more iterative and accountable SDG monitoring and review processes. Progressing National SDG Implementation highlights where countries are making steady gains, while also identifying remaining gaps and challenges in achieving SDG aspirations, especially from a social inclusion perspective. As such, this report aims to contribute to joint learning by both governments and non-state actors on how to contribute to transformative change while leaving no one behind.
This report is published in partnership between Action for Sustainable Development, the Arab NGO Network for Development, Bond, CSO Partnership for Sustainable Development, Cooperation Canada, Forus, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Save the Children, and Sightsavers.
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