Source: European Parliament
MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION
on implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum
(2025/2014(INI))
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Article 3(5) of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 13 and 208(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030[1],
– having regard to the joint statement by the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission of 30 June 2017 on the New European Consensus on Development – ‘Our world, our dignity, our future’[2],
– having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 on the follow-up to the European Citizens’ Initiative Right2Water[3] and its resolution of 5 October 2022 on access to water as a human right – the external dimension[4],
– having regard to its resolution of 28 November 2019 on the climate and environment emergency,[5]
– having regard to its resolution of 9 June 2021 on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives[6],
– having regard to its resolution of 6 July 2022 on the EU action plan for the social economy[7],
– having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution of 27 March 2023 entitled ‘Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development’,
– having regard to the resolution of the International Labour Organization concerning decent work and the care economy, adopted at the 112th International Labour Conference on 14 June 2024,
– having regard to its resolution of 6 July 2022 on addressing food security in developing countries[8],
– having regard to its resolution of 24 November 2022 on the future European Financial Architecture for Development[9],
– having regard to its resolution of 14 March 2023 on Policy Coherence for Development[10],
– having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2023 on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)[11],
– having regard to its recommendation of 19 December 2024 to the Council concerning the EU priorities for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women[12],
– having regard to its resolution of 11 April 2024 on including the right to abortion in the EU Fundamental Rights Charter[13],
– having regard to its resolution of 24 June 2021 on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health[14],
– having regard to the Commission staff working document of 18 November 2020 entitled ‘Delivering on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – A comprehensive approach’ (SWD(2020)0400),
– having regard to the Commission staff working document of 3 November 2021 entitled ‘Better Regulation Guidelines’ (SWD(2021)0305) and to the Better Regulation Toolbox of July 2023,
– having regard to the integration of the SDGs into the better regulation framework, including the Commission communication of 29 April 2021 entitled ‘Better regulation: Joining forces to make better laws’ (COM(2021)0219),
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 26 May 2015 on poverty eradication and sustainable development after 2015,
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 24 October 2019 on the Economy of Wellbeing[15] and the Council conclusions of 24 June 2024 on EU priorities at the United Nations during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 2024 – September 2025,
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 22 June 2021 entitled ‘A comprehensive approach to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development – Building back better from the COVID-19 crisis’,
– having regard to the Council recommendation of 16 June 2022 on Learning for the Green transition and sustainable development,
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 21 June 2022 entitled ‘The transformative role of education for sustainable development and global citizenship as an instrumental tool for the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs)’,
– having regard to the Council conclusion of 24 June 2024 on EU development aid targets,
– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019)0640),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 March 2020 entitled ‘A new Circular Economy Action Plan – For a cleaner and more competitive Europe’ (COM(2020)0098),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 12 May 2021 entitled ‘Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All – EU Action Plan: Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ (COM(2021)0400) and its annexes,
– having regard to the report of the European Environment Agency and the Commission’s Joint Research Centre of 3 March 2025 entitled ‘Zero pollution monitoring and outlook 2025’,
– having regard to the Commission communication of 23 February 2022 on decent work worldwide for a global just transition and sustainable recovery (COM(2022)0066),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 12 March 2024 entitled ‘Managing climate risks – protecting people and prosperity’ (COM(2024)0091),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 7 March 2025 entitled ‘A Roadmap for Women’s Rights’ (COM(2025)0097),
– having regard to the mission letters from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the 26 European Commissioners,
– having regard to the European Environment Agency report of 4 December 2019 entitled ‘The European environment – state and outlook 2020: Knowledge for transition to a sustainable Europe’,
– having regard to the EU Global Health Strategy,
– having regard to the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III),
– having regard to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030,
– having regard to the European care strategy,
– having regard to the EU’s first voluntary review of SDG implementation, presented to the United Nations on 19 July 2023,
– having regard to Eurostat’s 2024 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, published on 18 June 2024,
– having regard to the opinions of the European Economic and Social Committee of 19 September 2018 entitled ‘Indicators better suited to evaluate the SDGs – the civil society contribution’, of 30 October 2019 entitled ‘Leaving no one behind when implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda’, and of 8 December 2021 entitled ‘Renewed sustainable finance strategy’,
– having regard to UN Resolution 70/1 entitled ‘Transforming our World – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ (2030 Agenda), adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015 in New York and establishing the SDGs,
– having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) for Youth,
– having regard to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UNCBD,
– having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030,
– having regard to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, adopted by UN member states at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 18 March 2015,
– having regard to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015,
– having regard to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030),
– having regard to the Buenos Aires Commitment, which charts a path forward on a care society, adopted at the 15th Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was organised by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Government of Argentina and held in Buenos Aires from 7 to 11 November 2022,
– having regard to the 2024 joint report entitled ‘Are we getting there? A synthesis of the UN system evaluations of SDG 5’, published by UN Women, the UN Development Programme, the UN Population Fund, the UN Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme,
– having regard to the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) of 4 March 2023 (UN High Seas Treaty),
– having regard to the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women,
– having regard to the Gender Equality Index 2024 of the European Institute for Gender Equality,
– having regard to the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcomes of its review conferences,
– having regard to UN Human Rights Council resolution 48/13, adopted on 8 October 2021, and UN General Assembly resolution 76/300, adopted on 28 July 2022, on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe resolution 2545 (2024), adopted on 18 April 2024, on mainstreaming the human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment with the Reykjavik process,
– having regard to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution ‘5/10. The environmental dimension of a sustainable, resilient and inclusive post-COVID-19 recovery’, adopted on 2 March 2022,
– having regard to the UN Global Sustainable Development Report 2019, entitled ‘The Future is Now: Science for Achieving Sustainable Development’,
– having regard to the UN Secretary-General’s report entitled ‘Our Common Agenda’, presented to the UN General Assembly, and to the mandate that UN General Assembly Resolution 76/6 of 15 November 2021 gave the UN Secretary-General to follow up on his report,
– having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Report 2021, entitled ‘The Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals’, and the UN Sustainable Development Report 2022, entitled ‘From Crisis to Sustainable Development: the SDGs as Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond’,
– having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024,
– having regard to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1.5 ºC, its special report on climate change and land, its special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate and its sixth assessment report (AR6),
– having regard to the global assessment report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) of 25 November 2019 on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and its latest nexus and transformative change assessment reports,
– having regard to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report of 18 February 2021 entitled ‘Making Peace with Nature: a scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies’,
– having regard to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ publication of January 2022 entitled ‘SDG Good Practices: A compilation of success stories and lessons learned in SDG implementation – Second Edition’,
– having regard to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report of 10 November 2022 entitled ‘Global Outlook on Financing for Sustainable Development 2023: No Sustainability Without Equity’,
– having regard to the Human Development Report 2023/24 entitled ‘Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world’,
– having regard to the report of the UN Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development of April 2024, entitled ‘Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024: Financing for Development at a Crossroads’,
– having regard to the initiative by the UN Secretary-General ‘SDG Stimulus to Deliver Agenda 2030’ of February 2023,
– having regard to the Bridgetown Initiative launched on 23 September 2022,
– having regard to the One Health Initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the One Health Joint Action Plan (2022-2026) of the WHO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the UNEP,
– having regard to the WHO’s 2024 progress report on the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All,
– having regard to the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls,
– having regard to the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication,
– having regard to the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact which took place in Paris in June 2023,
– having regard to the 2023 SDG Summit which took place in September 2023, during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week,
– having regard to the Summit of the Future which took place on 22 and 23 September 2024 in New York, its outcome, the Pact for the Future, which pledges 56 actions to accelerate and finance sustainable development, and its two annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations,
– having regard to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development that will take place in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025,
– having regard to the Sustainable Development Solutions Network report of January 2025 entitled ‘Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025: SDG Priorities for the New EU Leadership’,
– having regard to the ‘SDG Acceleration Actions’ online database,
– having regard to the existing national and regional initiatives that encourage the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals,
– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on Development and the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety under Rule 59 of the Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on Development and the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (A10-0125/2025),
A. whereas the 2030 Agenda and the 17 integrated SDGs, including their 169 targets and 247 indicators, represent the only globally shared and politically agreed framework for evidence-based policies to address common challenges and achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner;
B. whereas UN member states have committed to achieving the SDGs by 2030; whereas only 17 % of SDG targets are on track, nearly half are showing minimal or moderate progress, and progress on over a third has stalled or even regressed below 2015 baseline levels; whereas the important steps already made in crucial fields highlight the need for urgent action to reverse this alarming trend and should act as an incentive to implement the SDGs in full;
C. whereas the implementation of the 2030 Agenda implies that economic development goes hand in hand with social justice, good governance and respect for human rights; whereas the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new geopolitical landscape, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, the transgression of planetary boundaries, increasing dependencies on raw materials and critical minerals, the negative effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, and multiple crises in various areas are severely affecting progress towards the achievement of the SDGs;
D. whereas the number of additional people in extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries is estimated to reach 175 million by 2030, including 89 million women and girls[16]; whereas people with disabilities are more vulnerable to poverty due to reduced employment and education opportunities, lower wages and higher living costs; whereas further collective action is urgently needed to respond to poverty;
E. whereas the SDGs, being universal and indivisible, are applicable to all actors, including civil society and social partners, and to both the public and private sectors; whereas these actors should be systematically involved in devising and implementing policies related to the SDGs; whereas the commitment of the private sector to the SDGs offers the possibility of increasing the scale of development actions and their sustainability by creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and eliminating poverty;
F. whereas the EU has underlined its unequivocal commitment to the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs; whereas progress towards achieving SDG targets is uneven across European countries and many dimensions of sustainable development have not shown significant progress in the past decade, with increasing levels of poverty and an increasing level of inequality between and within countries being a threat to sustainable development; whereas the latest progress monitoring report of the 8th Environment Action Programme shows that for a majority of the indicators the EU is not on track to meet the targets[17]; whereas the Commission has acknowledged that more progress is needed on many SDGs at EU level, and that accelerating the SDGs’ implementation is more urgent than ever, with a particular focus on vulnerable people;
G. whereas the Commission has not yet devised an overarching strategy for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at EU level or a financing plan for the SDGs; whereas Commission has committed to taking a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to SDG implementation and its work programme should foster the realisation of the 2030 Agenda; whereas the EU should set a good example for ensuring the prosperity for present and future generations globally;
H. whereas the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) will be convened from 14 to 23 July 2025 under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council; whereas the 2025 HLPF will focus on advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, aiming to leave no one behind; whereas it will conduct in-depth reviews of SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), SDG 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all), SDG 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources); and SDG 17 (Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development);
I. whereas health is an indispensable foundation for peoples’ well-being; whereas health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity[18]; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic alone has eliminated a decade of progress in global levels of life expectancy[19]; whereas non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia and chronic respiratory disease, are the world’s leading causes of death; whereas road safety is also a cause for concern;
J. whereas air pollution constitutes a major factor for non-communicable diseases and is responsible for almost 7 million deaths globally, with more than nine out of ten deaths occurring in lower- and middle-income countries; whereas at EU level, air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk, despite the progress made, causing hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year;
K. whereas gender equality is crucial for fair, inclusive and sustainable development; whereas, despite some steps forward, significant inequalities continue to persist; whereas reinforcing women’s rights, empowering women and girls, challenging biased social norms, eliminating harmful practices and tackling discrimination are necessary to promote SDG 5;
L. whereas protection of labour rights is declining and income inequality is rising; whereas the global jobs gap reached 402 million in 2024, while extreme forms of working poverty affect 240 million workers globally[20]; whereas women and young people experience higher unemployment rates; whereas more than one in five young people are not in education, employment or training[21];
M. whereas the ocean covers more than 70 % of the surface of our planet and constitutes its largest ecosystem; whereas the ocean plays a critical role as a climate regulator, enables economic activity and provides livelihoods for more than 3 billion people; whereas the ocean constitutes the world’s greatest ally against climate change as it generates 50 % of the world’s oxygen, absorbs 25 % of all carbon dioxide emissions and captures 90 % of the excess heat generated by these emissions but its absorption capacity is decreasing; whereas 40 % of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution, depletion of fisheries, loss of coastal habitats and other human activities; whereas the UN Secretary-General declared an ‘ocean emergency’ during the 2022 UN Ocean Conference; whereas an inclusive ocean governance should, among others, be human-rights-based and socially equitable, and enhance gender equality;
N. whereas there is currently a USD 4 trillion annual investment gap to achieve the SDGs; whereas foreign direct investment flows to developing countries have decreased while gains in remittances and official development assistance (ODA) have been modest[22];
O. whereas the lack of financing is a major barrier in achieving gender equality outcomes; whereas gender equality is fundamental to delivering on the promises of sustainability, prosperity, social justice, peace and human progress; whereas meaningful and sustained financial commitments and strengthen budgeting processes are fundamental to support the implementation of legislation, policies and gender responsive services to advance gender equality across all SDG 5 targets[23];
P. whereas, after a decade of rapid debt accumulation, the debt levels of low-, middle- and high-income countries remain at unprecedentedly high levels, limiting their capacity to invest in achieving the SDGs and in efficiently tackling climate challenges; whereas about 60 % of low-income countries are at high risk of or are already experiencing debt distress[24]; whereas the existing fiscal space in heavily indebted developing countries is further reduced by external shocks, such as natural disasters, different aspects of debt management, higher borrowing costs and the absence of a conducive international environment for domestic resource mobilisation;
Q. whereas illicit financial flows, tax base erosion, profit shifting and corruption have led to a global decline in revenues and represent another important obstacle to sustainable development; whereas further international tax cooperation and rules are needed to address these challenges;
R. whereas the EU and its Member States constitute the largest donor for developing countries, providing approximately 42 % of the total ODA; whereas the EU has set the target of collectively providing ODA equivalent to 0.7 % of its gross national income (GNI); whereas the collective ODA of the EU stood at 0.57 % of GNI in 2023 with only four Member States meeting the agreed target and several others making historic cuts to their ODA; whereas in order to reach the agreed target, the EU budget for ODA should amount to an estimated minimum of EUR 200 billion over the next multiannual financial framework; whereas the Global Gateway is a strategic instrument and has the potential to advance a range of interconnected SDGs, notably through international partnerships and investments in transport, energy, digital infrastructure, health and education;
S. whereas the EU’s political commitment to policy coherence for development was reaffirmed in the 2017 New European Consensus on Development, which identified policy coherence for development as a ‘crucial element of the EU strategy to achieve the SDGs and an important contribution to the broader objective of policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD)’; whereas PCSD is an approach that integrates the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development at all stages of domestic and international policymaking;
T. whereas the new US administration has taken a number of deeply worrisome and damaging decisions in the field of international development and humanitarian aid, most significantly the suspension of 83 % of funding for programmes of the US Agency for International Development (USAID); whereas it is estimated that USD 54 billion in foreign aid contracts are affected; whereas the suspension of USAID funding and global aid cuts by several Member States will have long-term implications for the world’s development agenda and the achievement of the SDGs;
State of play
1. Reaffirms its strong and unwavering commitment to ensuring the full and prompt implementation and delivery of all the SDGs, their targets and the 2030 Agenda as a whole, especially in the light of the deteriorating geopolitical, social, economic and environmental landscape; reaffirms its strong commitment to the Pact for the Future, which is a crucial step towards revitalising the UN and achieving the SDGs;
2. Regrets that the global community is severely off track with regard to realising the 2030 Agenda and achieving SDG targets; recognises the interconnectedness and interdependence of the 17 SDGs and acknowledges that the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and beyond will require broad and accelerated action across all SDGs; underlines that the scarring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, social, health and humanitarian emergencies and the accelerating negative effects of climate change constitute significant obstacles for the achievement of the SDG targets and that more efforts by all actors are needed to match real needs;
3. Recognises that the delay in achieving the SDGs is aggravated by the significant progress gap among different groups of countries, particularly in the poorest and most vulnerable countries and regions; highlights that the current unequal progress is being exacerbated by the suspension of USAID funding and by cuts to global aid budgets by EU Member States and other OECD countries; stresses the need to maintain a strong focus on development cooperation in order to place the world on course to achieve the SDGs;
4. Underlines that relevant policies for achieving the SDGs in low- and middle-income countries are to a large extent reduced by high debt levels and high debt service burdens; points also to the limitations of the global financial architecture and insufficient international support; stresses that these countries urgently require more financial resources and fiscal space to facilitate far greater investment in the SDGs; emphasises the need for global cooperation to reform the global financial architecture, especially in view of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025;
5. Stresses the urgent need for international cooperation and decisive transformative action to place our societies and economies firmly on course to achieve the SDGs and address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution; highlights that the SDGs should be achieved in a just way and with respect for planetary boundaries; emphasises that social sustainability, including reducing global inequalities, ensuring access to essential services and promoting social inclusion, should be mainstreamed across all SDG implementation efforts;
6. Welcomes, as a first step, the latest version of the Bridgetown Initiative in terms of climate action, which calls for the mobilisation of an additional USD 500 billion per year for climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries; recalls, however, that it still falls short of what is required; urges the EU and its Member States, accordingly, to work towards providing an additional USD 1.3 trillion per year for climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as loss and damage, through public concessional and non-debt creating instruments, in line with the Baku to Belem Roadmap agreed at COP 29;
7. Reiterates that international cooperation is a fundamental condition for the world to make progress on the SDGs by 2030 and beyond and that such cooperation should prioritise strengthening the resilience, stability and autonomy of partner countries, especially in Africa, by promoting opportunities for economic and human development and refocusing on key priorities such as nutrition, healthcare and education; highlights that, despite the difficulties posed by the current geopolitical situation, special attention should be given to regions and communities that are furthest off-track, to ensure that no one is left behind; warns that the consequences of inaction or further delay would primarily be borne by the most vulnerable but would also detrimentally affect the world as a whole;
8. Underlines the importance of uninterrupted access to high-quality climate and environmental data and the fulfilment of international reporting obligations for science- and evidence-based policymaking; notes with concern that recent geopolitical developments highlight vulnerabilities in the global climate infrastructure; highlights, moreover, the need for stronger collaboration between EU and global institutions, the IPCC and the UN to ensure that both EU and global policies remain grounded in the latest climate science;
9. Recognises the importance of country-led sustainable development strategies for the implementation of the SDGs; acknowledges that sustainable development approaches should be tailored to specific local contexts; highlights, in this regard, the significant role of local and regional authorities in defining, implementing and monitoring local actions and strategies that contribute to the global achievement of the SDGs; stresses, moreover, that the effective implementation of the SDGs requires the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, stronger social and institutional partnerships, public and private investment, cooperation and shared responsibility between public actors, greater involvement of the people, adequate education and broader interaction between the public and private sectors, science and civil society;
10. Highlights that EU leadership in the global implementation of the SDGs remains crucial, especially in the light of multiple geopolitical challenges and ongoing crises; emphasises that the EU and its Member States should assume a stronger leadership role in coordinating global efforts to reverse stagnation or regression, and to facilitate and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, while remaining a reliable partner for effective and sustainable aid; stresses the important role of the European Green Deal in implementing and achieving the SDGs;
11. Highlights the need to mobilise adequate financial resources towards SDG-relevant transformations and to promote policy coherence and inclusiveness at all levels of governance, prioritising the inclusion of the SDGs in policymaking and Commission impact assessments;
12. Calls on the EU institutions to live up to their long-standing commitments to apply gender mainstreaming and an intersectional perspective to all EU policies and funding; regrets that countries still lack 44 % of data needed to track SGD 5 and that over 80 % of countries are missing data on at least one SDG 5 target[25]; therefore, stresses the need to strengthen national statistical offices, and improve their global coordination and cooperation to ensure informed policymaking and close the remaining gender data gaps;
13. Highlights the significant role of the UN and the annual HLPF for the monitoring and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs; believes that the 2025 HLPF should be used as an opportunity to provide high-level political guidance and new impetus to intensified efforts and accelerated action to achieve the SDGs by 2030;
SDGs under in-depth review at the 2025 HLPF
SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
14. Regrets the marginal or moderate progress in most SDG 3 targets and the slowing pace since 2015 in multiple key areas; notes with concern that less than 10 % of SDG 3 targets are on track and less than one third are likely to be met by 2030; is highly concerned that the EU has also experienced setbacks in about half of the indicators analysed by Eurostat for its June 2024 report
15. Is alarmed that progress towards universal health coverage has slowed, leaving almost half of the world’s population without access to essential health services; is highly concerned that the lack of health coverage exposes 2 billion people to financial hardship from healthcare costs[26];
16. Underlines that healthcare systems are experiencing increased strains due to the ageing global population, low-quality healthcare infrastructure and the global shortage of healthcare workers and recalls that progressing towards universal health coverage requires addressing these challenges; underlines the significant disparities around the globe regarding the adequate number of healthcare workers, with low-income countries experiencing the lowest density and distribution; notes that an additional 1.8 million healthcare workers are needed in 54 countries, mostly high-income ones, just to maintain their current age-standardised density[27]; highlights the vulnerability of healthcare workers confronted with increased workloads, burnout and mental health issues; recommends targeted support, training, and protective measures to safeguard frontline professionals and strengthen emergency health response capacity;
17. Stresses that multiple and interlocking crises, the negative impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on health, economic instability, poverty, persistent inequalities, especially among vulnerable populations and regions, and increasingly constrained resources, despite the increasing demands on health services, threaten to worsen the health crisis, undermine global health security and further derail progress towards SDG 3 targets;
18. Regrets the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health and on progress towards SDG 3 targets; stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed extensive long-lasting weaknesses in healthcare systems and has highlighted the importance of increasing crisis preparedness, crisis response capacity and healthcare systems resilience; stresses that health threats know no borders and that a local health emergency can quickly escalate into a global pandemic, necessitating a coordinated global response and strengthened international cooperation through robust multilateral health institutions, in particular the WHO;
19. Deeply regrets the US decision to withdraw from the WHO and the dismantling of health programmes under USAID; underlines that this decision will have a severe effect on people’s lives and access to health services globally, exposing and exacerbating weaknesses in global health systems, increasing healthcare disparities and straining resources with long-term consequences for global health security and resilience; stresses that this withdrawal will significantly hinder progress towards achieving SDG 3 by reducing capacities for monitoring health threats, as well as international coordination, resources and leadership in addressing health crises and promoting equitable access to health for all; calls on the US to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the WHO;
20. Recognises that efforts to combat communicable diseases such as HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases have led to significant progress in the past decades; is concerned, however, about the increased numbers of cases of malaria and tuberculosis and about the fact that, despite the achievements, inequalities continue to persist and threats continue to emerge, leaving many populations vulnerable and weakening global efforts; deeply regrets that the disruption of HIV-AIDS programmes could undo 20 years of progress, which could lead to over 10 million additional HIV-AIDS cases and 3 million deaths[28]; calls for more effective implementation of policies and programmes to further reduce transmission rates and improve access to treatment and prevention, particularly in less developed countries;
21. Notes that neglected tropical diseases continue to affect billions of people, with many countries lacking adequate access to treatment, which highlights the urgent need to strengthen the prevention, preparation and response capacities of the EU and its partners, particularly in the Global South, to ensure that the benefits of global efforts reach everyone; calls for incentives to promote research and development on medicines targeting tropical diseases; calls for the EU to take proactive measures to encourage innovation and accelerate drug availability;
22. Notes with concern that, despite the improvement in skilled birth attendance and the decrease in global neonatal mortality and under-five mortality rates, the global maternal mortality rate remains almost unchanged since 2015; points to the significant divergences between low-income and high-income countries and the grim situation in high and very high alert fragile countries; calls for decisive action across Member States and as part of the EU’s external policies to make substantial progress towards the 2030 goal to reduce maternal mortality, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including access to quality maternal healthcare services, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, comprehensive antenatal and postnatal services, family planning and legal abortions;
23. Highlights that improvements in reducing adolescent birth rates and in access to modern contraceptive methods do not benefit all women and girls equally; points to the persisting social, economic and regional inequalities hindering the broadening of positive trends; calls for the EU to ensure, as a priority, access to safe and effective contraception methods and to legal abortion services across Member States and to contribute to the same through its external policies; reiterates its call for the right to safe and legal abortion to be included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights;
24. Recalls that the full realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and upholding women’s and girls’ bodily autonomy is critical to achieving gender equality; highlights that SRHR are an integral part of the universal health coverage and are critical to achieving SDG 3, particularly target 3.7; calls on the Commission to ensure that SRHR are included in EU initiatives and programmes on universal health coverage;
25. Regrets that progress towards the nine global voluntary targets agreed to in the NCD Global Monitoring Framework is slow and uneven; stresses that without increased uptake of these effective interventions, half of all countries will miss the 2030 SDG target to reduce NCD-related premature mortality by one third; calls, therefore, for strengthened, coordinated, and multi-sectoral actions to prevent and control NCDs to reduce suffering and prevent premature mortality; calls, moreover, for the implementation of the WHO’s ‘best buys’ policies to be prioritised, to address the primary risk factors of NCDs, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol, drug use and physical inactivity; calls, in addition, for the full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all signatory countries;
26. Calls on the Commission to fully align EU air quality standards with the WHO guidelines in line with the Ambient Air Quality Directive[29]; recalls that sustainable cities and communities, and in particular tackling air pollution levels in urban areas, are key to promoting health and well-being, since over half of the world’s population currently resides in cities;
27. Calls for enhanced, coordinated and holistic action, multiannual and tailor-made planning and substantial investment to achieve universal health coverage; stresses the need to strengthen health systems and the healthcare workforce, ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services and safe, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines, promote disease prevention and treatment, develop innovative solutions, and build inclusive and resilient health systems; calls also for action to tackle aggravating environmental factors, reduce the number of illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution, reduce the risks from emerging and re-emerging zoonotic epidemics and pandemics, and combat antimicrobial resistance; underlines the need to support social and solidarity healthcare organisations and address social determinants of health and disparities in access to quality care and services, including sexual and reproductive health services, especially for vulnerable populations such as women and girls with disabilities, with particular attention to directly affected regions and rural and remote communities;
28. Stresses the need for horizontal programming in health policy and for investment in preparedness against health threats and in resilient public health systems; calls for increased investment in research and development on vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non- communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries with a view to providing access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines; regrets that in 2022, 20.5 million children missed out on life-saving vaccines[30]; notes that access to vaccines must be equitable for an effective global response; calls for the use of initiatives such as the Global Gateway to facilitate investment for the local production of medicines and medical technologies and to prevent future health emergencies by strengthening capacities around the world;
29. Reaffirms its commitment to the One Health approach; considers that applying the One Health approach is key to achieving progress on SDG 3; underlines, moreover, the need for the Commission and the Member States to fully implement the EU global health strategy, monitoring its implementation and regularly reporting to Parliament on the achievement of its objectives;
30. Recalls that access to affordable and quality medicines depends also on technology and knowledge transfer; underlines, therefore, the flexibilities in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), confirmed by the Doha Declaration, as legitimate policy measures that governments can use to protect and promote public health by putting limits and safeguards on the enforcement of intellectual property rights; urges the EU to ensure that trade agreements with developing countries are fully supportive of this objective;
31. Underlines that environmental risks account for a quarter of the disease burden worldwide[31]; recalls that, in line with the One Health approach, human and animal health depend on planetary health and that a healthy environment is a universal human right and a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and human well-being; welcomes the wide support at the UN General Assembly for the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right[32] and calls for its effective protection at EU level; stresses the need to ban the most hazardous chemicals, including banning endocrine disruptors, and to phase out the PFAS forever chemicals, allowing their use only where essential for critical sectors, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals and products necessary for the twin transition to a climate neutral and digital economy; stresses the need to also ban exports of chemical pesticides that are banned in the EU to third countries;
32. Highlights the rising health risks due to the climate crisis, including increased incidences of heat-related illnesses, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and the spread of vector- and water-borne diseases; calls for dedicated efforts to protect vulnerable populations, including older persons, children, people with pre-existing conditions, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities, which face disproportionate climate-related health risks; urges for the implementation of localised heat action plans and the provision of accessible shelters and targeted outreach during extreme weather events;
33. Stresses, moreover, that extreme weather events are disrupting healthcare infrastructure, energy supply, and supply chains, thereby compromising access to critical medical care and treatment; underscores the need to invest in climate-resilient healthcare systems, including disaster-proof infrastructure, renewable energy sources in medical facilities, and robust water and sanitation systems; calls for the integration of early warning systems, mobile health units, and decentralised community-based healthcare models to ensure continuity of care in climate emergencies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to integrate climate resilience into all public health policies and national health strategies; encourages the use of SDG-aligned indicators to monitor the health impacts of climate change and to guide EU and national-level adaptation strategies;
SDG 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
34. Expresses grave concern about the slow progress towards gender equality, with a majority of the indicators being off track, risking further backsliding on gender equality and women’s rights, including actions that shrink the civic space for women rights defenders; considers that development aid cuts are already having a negative impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality; reaffirms gender equality as both a distinct goal and a catalyst for the advancement of the other SDG goals; calls for strong EU leadership internationally in the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights through policy and financial assistance;
35. Calls for accelerated, targeted action to end all forms of violence and harassment against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and to end harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’ based violence, sterilisation and female genital mutilation; recalls that over 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation[33] and deplores the fact that new estimates show an increase of 30 million cases compared to 2016[34]; remains gravely concerned about the high worldwide rates of maternal mortality, in particular in low and middle-income countries; stresses that rape remains one of the most widespread human rights violations and calls for the establishment of a common definition of rape on the basis of lack of consent; stresses that the objectives of SDG 5 must also play an important role in the EU’s relations with other countries;
36. Stresses that women are disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly in least developed countries and rural areas; underlines that this disproportionate impact poses unique threats to their livelihoods, health and safety, including increased food and water insecurity, heightened exposure to gender-based violence in the context of climate-related displacement and migration, and greater economic instability owing to a reliance on climate-sensitive sectors; stresses that four out of five of those displaced due to the climate crisis are women and girls[35]; calls for climate action plans to include support for women and for women’s participation in climate decision-making at all levels; calls for strengthened healthcare systems to address climate-related diseases affecting women and for the promotion of education on climate adaptation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to integrate climate resilience into all public health policies and national health strategies; encourages the use of SDG-aligned indicators to monitor the health impacts of climate change and to guide EU and national-level adaptation strategies and looks forward to the new gender action plan under the UNFCCC; calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide leadership for the adoption of a new ambitious and effective gender action plan at COP30;
37. Regrets that women’s sexual and reproductive rights remain limited globally, and stresses the importance of addressing the barriers that hinder women’s ability to make decisions about contraception, healthcare access and sexual consent, recognising that socio-economic factors, education and geographical location significantly influence women’s ability to exercise these rights; recalls the EU’s commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the right of every individual to have full control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights, free from discrimination, coercion and violence; warns that targets set by SDG 5 will not be achieved if universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is not guaranteed in the EU and globally and calls on the EU to prioritise this question in policy and funding, and enshrine the right to legal and safe abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; reiterates that all women must have access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and calls for the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes; calls for increased investment in these areas to ensure access to comprehensive and non-discriminatory services;
38. Calls for the continuation of funding for programmes focusing on promoting women’s rights, empowerment and autonomy and fighting against all forms of gender-based violence; calls on the Commission to ensure that 85 % of all new external actions incorporate gender as a significant or principal objective and that 20 % of ODA in each country is allocated to programmes with gender equality as one of their principal objectives; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to ensure the systematic implementation of rigorous gender analyses, gender disaggregated data collection, gender-responsive budgeting and gender impact assessments;
39. Regrets that assistance from OECD Development Assistance Committee donors for gender equality dropped in 2022, marking the first decline after a decade of growth[36]; notes that only 4 % of allocable ODA focused on gender equality as its principal objective[37]; stresses the need to mobilise new resources to resume progress towards gender equality; regrets that since the launch of the GAP III only 3.8 % of all gender-responsive/targeted actions have gender equality as a principal objective, falling behind the 5 % target outlined in the NDICI Regulation[38]; calls on the Member States and the Commission to substantially increase the number of the EU’s actions having the promotion of gender equality as a principal objective; calls for the EU to increase its funding of multilateral funds for gender equality, such as UN Women, and for sexual and reproductive health, such as the UN Population Fund and the Global Fund to fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria;
40. Recalls that women in general perform most unpaid domestic and care work, which imposes a disproportionate burden on lower-income households, contributing to poverty, inequality and precarious living conditions and reducing the labour market participation of women; calls for stronger promotion of the right of every woman to balance her professional and private life based on joint responsibility and working conditions that facilitate the reconciliation of private, family and working lives; calls for accelerated efforts to close the gender pay and pension gaps, including in the care economy, as well as to tackle horizontal and vertical labour market segregation; calls, moreover, for efforts to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership in decision-making roles and opportunities in the public and private sectors, including in all aspects of peace and security; calls for further promotion of women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
41. Recognises the urgent need to respond to negative trends hampering progress in gender equality in the EU, including gender-based violence, and to prevalent sexist political discourse; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s Roadmap for Women’s Rights as a compass for future EU action in the area both inside and outside the Union and in shaping the new gender equality strategy from 2026; stresses that this roadmap should foster the implementation of legislative and non-legislative measures for greater progress and accountability on SDG 5 and calls for stronger Member States involvement; urges a comprehensive approach addressing sexual and reproductive services, intersectional discrimination and the protection of vulnerable women;
42. Deplores the increasing unjustified attacks against civil society organisations, particularly women’s rights organisations, both in the EU and worldwide; stresses the need for the establishment of a protection mechanism for human rights defenders in the EU, with particular attention paid to women, LGBTIQ+ people and SRHR human rights defenders; calls for the full implementation of gender equality policies (gender action plan, gender equality strategy), including in their SRHR components, and insists that this implementation must be backed up with adequate funding, including for women’s rights and SRHR organisations, and information about family planning, affordable contraception, free, safe and legal abortion, and maternal healthcare; stresses that women’s rights organisations continue to be systematically underfunded, receiving less than 1 % of global ODA;
43. Recognises that, despite progress, 122 million girls worldwide remain out of school[39]; emphasises that equal access to education is fundamental for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and economic prosperity, as it empowers women and girls to participate fully in society; calls for the integration of gender-responsive strategies in education policies to address these inequalities; calls on Member States to ensure the provision of education in primary and secondary schools, focused on fighting gender-based violence and gender stereotyping; underlines that investing in girls’ education yields great returns for generations to come, directly contributing to the realisation of their fundamental rights and protecting them against all forms of violence, and also contributing to better well-being for whole societies;
44. Recognises the disproportionate vulnerability of women and girls in conflict and humanitarian crises, including the increased risk they face of sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, and disruption of essential services; reaffirms the vital role of women and girls in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction, emphasising their essential participation in peace negotiations and decision-making processes, as outlined in the women, peace and security agenda;
45. Calls for stronger policies and actions that promote access to land, credit, entrepreneurship and education, as well as employment and health, especially for women and girls in circumstances of vulnerability, women with disabilities, pregnant women and women in rural areas;
46. Takes note of the lessons learned listed in the 2024 join report entitled ‘Are we getting there? A synthesis of the UN system evaluations of SDG 5’, including the importance of effectively engaging men and boys in programmes and initiatives on issues that educate and assist them in the behavioural change that is needed if the targets are to be met, and the more sustained and comprehensive prioritisation of the targets in humanitarian settings;
47. Regrets the regression of LGBTIQ+ rights and the transphobia that threatens gender equality; denounces the fact that, between 2021 and 2022, just three anti-LGBTIQ+ organisations reported USD 1 billion in income, while 8 000 global LGBTIQ+ grantees received USD 905 million between them[40]; warns of the worrying increase in anti-gender financing that aims to counteract the progressive achievements of women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights of the past decades;
48. Calls for the EU to ban conversion centres in the Member States and to do anything possible to prevent this practice everywhere;
SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
49. Is alarmed that SDG 8 targets face the highest rates of stagnation or regression among the SDGs under in-depth review at the 2025 HLPF;
50. Expresses concern about the decrease over the past decade in labour rights, freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, highlighting its adverse impact on social justice and efforts to promote productive employment and decent work for everyone; regrets that one fifth of the world’s population lives in countries with high levels of inequality[41]; affirms the need to strengthen social measures to address inequalities in line with the leave no one behind principle, taking into account the social consequences of inflation, rising budget pressures, geopolitical tensions and risks posed by climate change and extreme weather events to the health and safety of workers; stresses the importance of a just transition for the decarbonisation of the economy, to ensure that the transition is as fair and inclusive as possible for all concerned;
51. Calls for stronger policies and bold actions to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development; urges the EU and global partners to use instruments such as the Global Gateway to leverage multiple sources of funding, including private sector investments, respect social and environmental standards and promote the creation of decent jobs that will reduce income inequality and ensure that no one is left behind; recognises the role of private finance in bridging the financing gap to achieve the SDGs; highlights, however, the need for public investments in critical services such as healthcare, education and social protection;
52. Underlines the need to address territorial and housing inequalities by supporting access to affordable, adequate and energy-efficient housing, especially in disadvantaged urban and rural areas; calls for increased investment in integrated community development, social infrastructure and basic services to promote social cohesion and economic inclusion; encourages support for local and regional authorities in implementing sustainable, inclusive and resilient development strategies that link climate, health, housing, mobility and social inclusion;
53. Expresses concern that economic growth in many developing countries remains slow and uneven, often hindered by structural weaknesses, economic inequalities, political instability, external shocks and the growing impact of climate change; emphasises that local initiatives addressing unique community needs play a vital role in fostering equitable economic growth; underscores that regional cooperation on economic corridors enhances trade, investment, sustainable industrialisation, and economic diversification;
54. Recommends increased public and private investment in research, sustainable business practices, the green and digital transition, quality education and skills development, including reskilling and upskilling, as well as aligning them with market demands, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to support access to finance and foster investment and innovation; reiterates the need for a special focus on the promotion of women’s economic empowerment and on ensuring equitable access to business opportunities; calls for inclusive policies for persons with disabilities in the workplace;
55. Reiterates the importance of policies that support youth employment, education and vocational training; stresses the significance of the expanding young population in the Global South for sustainable development; insists on the importance of creating stronger links between education, skills development and employment, to allow access to decent work in the rapidly changing labour market;
56. Emphasises that initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth should go hand in hand with social justice, gender equality, labour rights and environmental protection; calls for the EU to constructively engage with and work towards the adoption of the UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights;
57. Regrets that more than half of the global workforce finds itself in informal employment[42], thus posing a significant barrier to social justice and inclusive growth; expresses deep concern that in the least developed countries, in sub-Saharan Africa and in Central and Southern Asia, almost nine out of ten workers are still employed informally[43];
58. Notes that while gross domestic product remains an important indicator of economic performance, additional metrics reflecting social and environmental dimensions should be taken into account in order to achieve a more balanced and informed approach to economic policymaking;
59. Calls for further measures to eradicate forced labour and human trafficking, and to put an end to any form of child labour, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers;
SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
60. Stresses the alarming trends of marine pollution, coastal eutrophication, ocean acidification, rising temperatures, overfishing, declining marine biodiversity, habitat destruction, unsustainable industrial practices, underwater noise and inland water contamination, which individually and cumulatively threaten marine ecosystems and coastal communities, especially in developing countries and vulnerable regions, and hinder the achievement of SDG 14 targets;
61. Regrets the lack of actual progress towards meeting SDG 14 targets and, in some cases, their worsening outlook, notably owing to the lack of effective measures alongside increasing economic pressures; is alarmed that none of the SDG 14 targets for 2020 were met; considers that the marginal or moderate progress and the high levels of stagnation and regression mean that global action is far from the speed and scale required to meet SDG14 targets on time; recalls that equity in both benefits and cost-sharing is essential for the implementation of SDG 14;
62. Notes that SDG 14 remains among the least financed SDGs and that the current funding gap is estimated at about USD 150 billion per year; underlines that the 2025 UN Ocean Conference should provide new impetus in eliminating the existing funding gap and creating a stable and enabling environment for the mobilisation of increased funding for the achievement of the SDG 14 targets; calls on the EU and its Member States to step up their financial contribution to protecting and restoring marine ecosystems; calls on the Commission to allocate dedicated funds to the European Ocean Pact for the protection of the ocean and the just transition to a sustainable blue economy benefitting coastal communities, economic growth and society as a whole;
63. Highlights the need to protect the ocean as a unified entity and use it sustainably; calls for a holistic approach that integrates environmental protection and restoration, prosperity, social equity, sustainability and competitiveness, and for a comprehensive framework serving as a single reference point for all ocean-related policies; expects the upcoming European Ocean Pact to set an international example by providing such a holistic approach to all ocean-related policies and coherence across all policy areas linked to the ocean;
64. Believes that binding global measures and an ecosystem-based approach are urgently needed to address shortcomings, accelerate action and ensure the long-term health of the ocean, also and especially under changing climate conditions; stresses that such measures should ensure the protection of human rights and our marine ecosystems; considers it particularly necessary to support the just transition to sustainable fisheries, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, address the increasing numbers of invasive alien species, strengthen transparency in the seafood sector, protect small-scale fishers’ rights, enhance marine conservation and restoration efforts and adopt a global treaty on plastic pollution; recalls that the EU Nature Restoration Law is one of the tools for the EU to meet its international commitments in restoring marine and coastal ecosystems;
65. Calls for enhanced global action to tackle ocean acidification and ocean heat levels in order to safeguard the role of the ocean as the most important carbon sink on the planet and to protect marine life and food web;
66. Welcomes the adoption of UN High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, or BBNJ); regrets, however, that, to date, only one of the 27 EU Member States has ratified that treaty; urges all Member States to swiftly complete their individual ratification processes; calls on the parties to continue work on the UN Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue and ensure swift implementation of the agreement, including by mobilising funds from the EU Global Ocean Programme; welcomes the Commission proposal to integrate the UN High Seas Treaty into EU law;
67. Recalls the commitment under target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for the effective conservation of at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and of marine and coastal areas by 2030 through the establishment of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures; considers that increased efforts are required for the further expansion of marine and coastal protected areas to achieve the 30 % target and facilitate the conservation and sustainable management of marine species, habitats, ecosystems and resources; regrets that the EU is off track to meet its objectives to protect 30 % of its marine areas by 2030;68. Is alarmed by the increasing levels of marine pollution that are set to double or triple by 2040; highlights that a large part of the pollution pressure placed on the ocean results from land-based activities; calls for stronger measures and accelerated implementation as a matter of urgency to put an end to marine pollution both at EU and international level; underlines that plastics make up the largest, most harmful and most persistent share of marine litter; regrets the lack of a conclusion on the first ever global legally-binding instrument on plastic pollution; urges for the adoption of an ambitious binding global treaty on plastic pollution at the resumption of the intergovernmental negotiations in 2025; supports the EU position that the final agreement should contain a target of reducing the production of primary plastic polymers;
69. Stresses the importance of advancing the EU’s zero pollution action plan that includes significant targets for the improvement of water quality, the reduction of waste generation, and the reduction of nutrient losses; notes that only 37 % of Europe’s surface waters are in a healthy ecological state and that nutrient pollution is costing more than EUR 75 billion per year[44]; notes, moreover, that, according to the 2025 zero pollution monitoring and outlook report, only two of the zero pollution targets are on track; stresses that the implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation is crucial to achieve the 2030 zero pollution targets and that additional action is needed; reiterates its call on the Commission to propose ambitious EU targets for 2030 to significantly reduce the EU material and consumption footprints and bring them within planetary boundaries by 2050 as required under the 8th Environment Action Programme; highlights, moreover, the need to leverage modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to monitor pollution;
70. Stresses the importance of applying the precautionary principle in deep-sea mining; reiterates, in this regard, its support for an international moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining exploitation until such time as the effects of deep-sea mining on the marine environment, biodiversity and human activities at sea have been studied and researched sufficiently[45];
71. Highlights that the ongoing decline in sustainable fish populations underscores the importance of a regulatory framework following an ecosystem-based approach along with efficient and transparent monitoring systems to promote sustainable fishing practices and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; welcomes the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies as a major step forward towards ending harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing; calls on WTO members that have not yet done so to deposit their instruments of acceptance to allow for the agreement to become operational; urges, moreover, WTO members to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies in maritime economic activities, including harmful fisheries subsidies;
72. Recognises that sustainable fishing practices involving community participation are instrumental in reducing overfishing and ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources; recalls that many small-scale fishing communities continue to face marginalisation and unfair competition; notes that it is essential to promote the resilience of coastal and island communities and the potential of the blue economy in line with the EU environmental legislation and objectives, ensuring access to drinking water, sustainable transport, rules-based fisheries, sustainable tourism, entrepreneurship and fair access to services; calls on the Commission to promote international sustainable fishing standards to ensure, among other things, a global level-playing field;
73. Calls for the EU to reaffirm and step up its support for ocean science; encourages the promotion of scientific research and the dissemination of accurate data, alongside the development and sharing of best practice; emphasises the need to integrate ocean management policy with indigenous and traditional knowledge, science and community engagement; calls for the development and implementation of area-based management tools in conjunction with other appropriate conservation measures;
SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
74. Calls for the EU to continue advocating and working for multilateralism and provide global leadership in advancing the implementation of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, and reinforcing international treaties and agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and regional conservation initiatives;
75. Emphasises that, in the current difficult and uncertain geopolitical landscape, a vocal re-commitment to the SDGs will send a clear signal to partners around the world and support the EU’s global action; is concerned about the USD 4 trillion investment gap on achieving the SDGs[46]; stresses that the EU’s commitment to the SDGs should be supported by ambitious financial commitments in the next multiannual financial framework 2028-2034; calls for the EU to pursue a reinforced approach to development cooperation and to mobilise and continue to engage constructively with other international players in stepping up their sustainable development efforts and supporting peace, gender equality and human development;
76. Reaffirms that ODA remains a crucial source of public financing and an essential tool for reducing poverty, addressing inequalities, and supporting the most vulnerable communities, particularly in fragile, conflict-affected and least developed countries (LDCs);
77. Regrets the reduction in ODA by several EU Member States; calls on all Member States and global partners to uphold their commitment to ODA as a key pillar of their development policy and ensure that sufficient financing is dedicated to fulfilling the commitment to spend 0.7 % of gross national income on ODA and 0.2 % as ODA to LDCs; stresses, moreover, that only 12 % of ODA currently targets children despite their significant representation within the population of ODA-receiving countries; calls for the removal of obstacles, including administrative burden, to enable aid to reach the most vulnerable communities;
78. Calls for the EU to enhance its role in advocating stronger financial commitments for development and humanitarian aid at international level, including the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, and particularly supporting climate adaptation and resilience in the most vulnerable regions, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and LDCs; calls, moreover, on the EU to ensure that climate finance targets are met and prioritised in multilateral negotiations and global partnerships; emphasises that advancing EU economic interests should also encompass creating stable partnerships guided by mutual interests and that all EU external policies should be embedded in the larger framework of the 2030 Agenda, while EU development policy and the use of EU ODA should remain focused on poverty alleviation as defined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee;
79. Stresses the urgent need to address the underrepresentation of countries from the Global South in global governance and to foster a more inclusive international financial architecture; considers South-South and triangular cooperation crucial for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda;
80. Insists on the paramount importance of the UN at the core of the multilateral system for creating a peaceful, fair, equal, inclusive, and rules-based global system that works for all, leaving no one behind; expresses, in this context, its support for swift and effective reforms of the UN Security Council; highlights the pressing need to review and reform the global governance of international development cooperation, particularly following cuts to global aid by several countries; stresses that reforms to the international financial system should be driven by a renewed commitment to multilateralism;
81. Emphasises the crucial role of multi-stakeholder partnerships and the meaningful involvement of local governments, civil society and youth and women’s representatives for attaining the SDG targets as well as of the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in global partnerships, in line with the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous people; emphasises the need for youth-led initiatives, particularly in the Global South and in climate-affected regions;
82. Recognises the vital and multifaceted roles that civil society organisations play in advancing the SDGs through locally-led, context-specific strategies that empower local actors and ensure broad-based, inclusive participation at all levels of society; calls, in this context, for deeper involvement of vulnerable communities in designing and monitoring SDG-related policies and for strengthened cooperation, resource mobilisation, and multi-stakeholder participation to advance the SDGs; calls for civil society participation and civic space in order to ensure that public funds are prevented from financing repressive regimes; stresses that access to structural funding is necessary for the effective participation of civil society in policy-making;
83. Calls for better monitoring of SDG implementation at regional and local levels, including through support for voluntary local reviews; stresses the importance of improving the availability of reliable data and collecting and using data disaggregated by income, age, gender, disability and geography; emphasises the need to modernise statistics and strengthen data capacity-building in the countries of the Global South;
84. Calls for the EU and its Member States to support global debt relief and debt restructuring for developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, taking into account the UN Trade and Development principles on promoting responsible sovereign lending and borrowing; calls, moreover, for comprehensive reforms of global financial institutions, including multilateral development banks, to enhance their effectiveness, equity and responsibility in supporting the implementation of the SDGs; emphasises that existing instruments and development banks, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, should be more in focus;
85. Stresses the need to align the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, including Global Gateway programmes, with the SDGs, the Paris Agreement and human development indicators; calls for greater involvement of Parliament and for it to take a more active role in the scrutiny of Global Gateway programmes, guaranteeing their effectiveness and proper implementation;
86. Insists that the Global Gateway initiative requires a more strategic and coordinated approach, incorporating strict criteria with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement goals and fundamental EU values, including human rights, good governance, democracy, transparency and environmental sustainability; recognises the potential of the Global Gateway to be able to contribute to sustainable development; stresses that it must be transparent in its planning process and have clear mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating its impact;
87. Highlights the need for clearer communication, coordination and alignment of Global Gateway projects with existing EU development policies; stresses, in this context, that the EIB should intensify its collaboration with other international financial institutions and national development banks to maximise the impact of its interventions, while ensuring its activities fully align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs;
88. Reiterates its strong call on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen cooperation with partners on fighting organised crime, corruption, illicit financial flows, harmful tax competition, tax avoidance and tax evasion; calls for the scaling-up of cooperation with developing countries on tax matters, including in terms of capacities, digitalisation, and the strengthening of their tax systems; welcomes the setting up of an intergovernmental process to adopt a UN convention on tax as a new global framework for international tax cooperation; highlights the pivotal role of progressive taxation in securing revenue to finance sustainable development; supports the decision of the G20 finance ministers to ensure that ultra-high net worth individuals are effectively taxed;
Outlook
89. Reiterates that the SDGs are the only globally agreed and comprehensive set of goals on the major challenges faced by both developed and developing countries and are the best tool for tackling the root causes of these challenges; stresses that the achievement of the 2030 Agenda is contingent on global collaboration and enhanced and accelerated action by all actors; calls on the EU to double down action and take the lead on advancing progress in these five years before the 2030 deadline in order to accelerate action to reverse the negative trends and foster a more just, peaceful and sustainable future for all;
90. Emphasises that policy coherence for development is a binding obligation under Article 208 of the TFEU aiming at integrating the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development at all stages of the policymaking cycle, in order to foster synergies across policy areas, identifying and reconciling potential trade-offs, as well as addressing the international spillover effects of EU policies;
91. Highlights the opportunity provided by the SDGs to foster a sustainable, well-being and people-centred economy; emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach that ensures long-term sustainability and prosperity beyond 2030 in line with the diverse needs and circumstances of different countries;
92. Welcomes the Pact for the Future which pledges 56 actions to accelerate and finance sustainable development, ensure that technology benefits people and the planet, invest in young people, support human rights and gender equality, and transform global governance; calls for the commitments made during the Summit of the Future and reflected in the Pact for the Future to be translated into concrete actions and measurable targets; urges the UN to begin preparing a comprehensive post-2030 Agenda strategy based on global commitment to sustainable development;
93. Calls for implementation plans with concrete timelines for achieving the SDGs by 2030 and setting ambitious targets beyond; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to lead by example and develop a comprehensive strategy accompanied by a structured SDG implementation plan with clear and concrete targets; calls, moreover, for the next EU multiannual financial framework to be fully consistent with the SDGs;94. Welcomes the EU’s first voluntary review of SDG implementation in 2023; considers that its conclusions can serve as a solid basis for a comprehensive EU SDG strategy, which should include an updated monitoring system that takes into account the EU’s internal and external impact on the SDG process; insists that such reviews become regular exercises and that their conclusions be taken into account in Commission proposals;
95. Believes that successes in SDG progress should be made visible and lay the groundwork for formulating best practice for the achievement of the SDGs; stresses, in this context, the importance of inclusive digitalisation, including with regard to AI, building on the Global Digital Compact; welcomes the 2025 Human Development Report that focuses on this matter;
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96. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the United Nations General Assembly.