Lead and supporting government bodies:
The Greek government decided in December 2016 (by law no. 4440/2016, Article 43) to assign the task of monitoring and coordinating the national implementation of the SDGs to one of the main entities belonging to central government, the General Secretariat of the Government (GSG) and in particular its Office of Coordination, Institutional, International and European Affairs (OCIIEA).
The work of the GSG/OCIIEA on coordinating the national implementation of the SDGs is substantially supported and facilitated by the Inter-ministerial Coordination Network for the SDGs established in December 2016. This Inter-ministerial Coordination Network for SDGs brings together representatives from all line ministries, acting as focal points in charge of working on SDGs-related issues.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the external dimension of the implementation of SDGs. Other ministries play a relevant role such as the Ministry of Environment and Energy which is thematically responsible for the implementation of seven out of the overall 17 SDGs.
The Statistical Authority is responsible for the SDG-relevant indicators.
Strategic framework:
The GSG/OCIIEA oversees and steers national implementation of SDGs and began its work with a gap analysis by all line ministries. The GSG aims to render all legislative initiatives "SDG aware".
Greece is currently finalising a new National Growth Strategy, which introduces new operational linkages to Agenda 2030. Based on an extensive inter-ministerial mapping exercise, Greece has adopted eight (8) overarching National Priorities for the SDGs, which encompass all 17 SDGs, and reflect, in a balanced and integrated manner, the three dimensions of sustainable development. They include:
- Fostering competitive, innovative and sustainable economic growth (linked to SDGs 9)
- Promoting full employment and decent work for all (linked to SDG 8)
- Addressing poverty, social exclusion and access to quality health care services (linked to SDGs 1, 2, 3)
- Reducing social and regional inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities for all (linked to SDGs 5, 10)
- Providing high quality and inclusive education (linked to SDG 4)
- Strengthening the protection and sustainable management of natural capital as a base for social prosperity and transition to a low-carbon economy (linked to SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- Building effective, accountable and transparent institutions and mechanisms (linked to SDGs 16, 17)
- Enhancing open, participatory and democratic processes and promoting partnerships (linked to SDGs 16, 17).
Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals:
After the HLPF, in 2019 the government will draw up a National Implementation Action Plan.
The Hellenic Parliament will play an instrumental role in the implementation, follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. A progress report on the execution of the National Implementation Plan for the SDGs will be submitted, at regular intervals, to the Hellenic Parliament for discussion and review in the context of joint meetings of parliamentary committees, where all political parties are represented.
