The 10th edition of the Sustainable Development Report (SDR), launched by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), focuses on “Financing Sustainable Development to 2030 and Mid-Century“. This marks the 10th anniversary of the SDGs and provides insights into global progress and financing challenges. The report is divided into four parts: Financing for Development, SDG Index and Dashboards, Commitment to the SDGs and UN-Based Multilateralism, and Country Profiles.

As part of the report’s SDG Index, countries are ranked on their performance toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Belgium holds the 18th position, demonstrating solid progress in various SDG areas but also highlighting the ongoing challenges it faces. While Belgium’s performance is commendable, Nordic countries such as Finland, ranked on the first position, continue to lead the global effort. In contrast, South Sudan ranks at the bottom, underscoring the disparities in SDG achievement globally.

Key Messages:

1. Strong Global Commitment: 190 out of 193 countries have participated in the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process.
2. East and South Asia Leading: These regions show the fastest SDG progress, with countries like Nepal, Cambodia, and the Philippines leading.
3. Other Countries Showing Rapid Progress: Countries such as Benin, Peru, UAE, Uzbekistan, Costa Rica, and Saudi Arabia have also made notable progress.
4. European Countries on Top: Finland ranks #1, with 19 of the top 20 in Europe, though challenges remain in climate and biodiversity.
5. Global SDG Progress Off-Track: Only 17% of SDG targets are on track, with conflicts and fiscal constraints impeding progress.
6. UN Based Commitment to Multilateralism: Barbados leads, while the United States ranks last.
7. Fiscal Space Hinders Progress: Many developing countries face fiscal constraints, limiting SDG investment. Roughly half the world’s population lives in countries that cannot invest adequately due to debt and lack of affordable capital.
8. Sustainable Development Offers High Returns: Investments in sustainable development yield high returns, but the Global Financial Architecture (GFA) remains imbalanced, favoring wealthy nations. Emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) struggle to access the necessary financing to support global public goods and achieve sustainable development.

Download the full report here.