In a world striving for sustainable progress, it is evident that significant challenges loom large halfway through the timeline of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In its opinion adopted in the October plenary, the EESC stresses the need for the European Union to adopt an integrated and comprehensive strategy with ambitious, long-term goals and plans.

A recent UN report reveals alarming trends, indicating that only 12% of around 140 SDG targets are on track globally. The EESC urges for a lasting political commitment from the EU involving early stakeholder engagement and sufficient resources. The committee stresses that SDGs should remain a commitment beyond 2030.

The EESC underscores the importance of a long-term political commitment from the Commission, extending beyond the current term of office. This commitment should include early stakeholder involvement, representation from other institutions and adequate resources to ensure inclusive civil society organisation participation. The EESC firmly believes that the SDGs must remain a long-term commitment, even beyond 2030.

Maria Nikolopoulou, the rapporteur of the opinion said: "We urge the Commission to keep SDG implementation high on the political agenda, even beyond 2030, and put the means to prepare an EU overarching strategy for the next mandate into place".

To accelerate progress, the EESC recommends shifting from a siloed to a holistic approach, simplifying policies for sustainable development. Engaging diverse sectors, including civil society, public and private sectors, academia, and youth and women's organisations, is crucial. The EESC advocates for a structured civil society dialogue involving companies, trade unions and organisations on the ground.

"SDGs are still perfectly relevant today. We should continue to work on them together", said co-rapporteur Antje Gerstein. (ks)