Sustainable Development Goals

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On this page we have put together our studies, research and articles on the SDG and SD strategies and other implementation tools.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SD Strategies & Tools

In 2023The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the follow-up of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with two important differences: firstly, the SDGs are universal, i.e. applicable to all countries; secondly their sustainability focus is much stronger. In September 2015, the UN General Assemblee adopted the SDGs and the process of implementation started in all countries. In 2023 we are half-way: only 7 years to go to the target year 2030. More an more it can be observed that the problem of underachievement is not because of the goals itself (policy) but the lagging implementation (governance). That is why we focus on better governance to support policies.

 

What Sustainable Development Strategies (SDS) look like and what impact they have depends on what those who formulated them believe is the best definition of ‘strategy’. Mintzberg described ten schools of thinking about strategy.With regard to sustainable development, the strategy definition is crucial. If strategy is a sustained learning process in dealing with complex issues, an SDS based on this definition might be able to recognise ‘wicked’ problems. On the other hand, if the starting point is that the world is well-structured, a strategy in the form of a concrete action plan might be the most desirable. Of course, a combination may be the best solution.

Publications on SDGs and SD strategies

Tallinn Peer Review

SEPT 2023 - Estonia's capital Tallinn, in 2023 the proud European Green City, has developed an ambitous and comprehensive governance framework for...

Shifting Focus from SDG Policy to Governance

OCT 2023 – During the annual EEAC conference in Bucharest, Louis Meuleman spoke about the need to shift the attention from the 2030 policy Goals and Targets to the governance frameworks, mechanisms and processes. Download presentation here.

Contribution of CEI to UN Agenda 2030 and its implementation in CEI Member States

In the framework of the 5th anniversary of the adoption of Agenda 2030, the Central European Initiative, a collaboration of 17 countries, launched the report “Contribution of CEI to UN Agenda 2030 and its implementation in CEI Member States”, made by a Public Strategy for Sustainable Development team with Ingeborg Niestroy (lead), Sally Nicholson and Gaetane Charlier, in cooperation with the CEI-Executive Secretariat.

What makes effective governance?

How does one know when countries have implemented good governance? Although a cornerstone of all developmental efforts and the sine qua non of...

Contribution to 2019 HLPF

UN CEPA submitted a contribution to the July 2019 High-level Political Forum in the SDGs, stating among others that public institutions are not...