Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum

The European Parliament adopted by 374 votes to 185, with 74 abstentions, a resolution on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum.

Current situation

Parliament reaffirmed its firm and unwavering commitment to the swift and comprehensive implementation and achievement of all the SDGs. While acknowledging the steps taken at EU and global level since 2015 to implement the SDGs, Members regretted that, despite the considerable progress made over the past decade, the global community is significantly deviating from the path forward with regard to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

The devastating effects of escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, health and humanitarian emergencies, and the triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution pose significant obstacles to achieving the SDGs.

The resolution therefore emphasised the urgent need for international cooperation and a systemic transformation of the implementation framework to achieve the SDGs, taking into account economic constraints and development differences among countries.

Parliament stressed that accelerating the implementation of the SDGs requires a pragmatic, results-driven approach prioritising transformative, innovative, coordinated, and evidence-based solutions that deliver measurable results, and strengthens the link between humanitarian aid, development, and peace. It also highlighted the important role of the private sector, innovation, and sustainable finance in addressing the SDG financing gap, as well as the need to prioritise vulnerable groups, particularly children, especially in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

SDG 6 is one of the SDGs on which performance has been the poorest, with none of its targets being met or on track to being met, and with half of its targets experiencing either stagnation or regression. Recalling that access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are fundamental rights related to the public interest, Parliament stressed that it is crucial to strengthen water resilience in the face of increasing pressures from climate change, droughts, floods and pollution, in a context of increased water demand and competing uses.

Parliament called on the international community to use the upcoming UN Water Conference to place water-related issues higher on the international agenda. It called, inter alia, for (i) stronger international action to prevent and mitigate water stress and overexploitation of water resources, restore degraded aquatic ecosystems, and improve water governance; and (ii) increased EU external investment in access to water and sanitation (according to the UN, approximately 3.5 billion people still lack access to safely managed sanitation services).

The EU is called on to take the lead in water diplomacy.

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Parliament called on the EU to continue supporting the global transition to an energy system based on renewable energies, which play a central role in achieving SDG 7.

The resolution stressed the need to: (i) strengthen the long-term resilience of the European energy system by ensuring sustainable supply chains; (ii) diversify energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate sustainable and responsible investment in clean technologies; (iii) phase out fossil fuels as soon as possible; (iv) promote EU investment in decentralised, sustainable and renewable energy systems, and (iv) intensify measures to combat energy poverty.

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

While welcoming the overall progress made on SDG 9, Members noted, however, that this progress is uneven across countries and regions and believe that targeted action is needed to bridge this gap and ensure equal progress towards the implementation of SDG 9.

Parliament stressed the strategic importance of secure, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, particularly in the digital, transport, energy, and water sectors, to support economic development, enhance connectivity, climate mitigation and adaptation, and improve human development, especially in rural and peripheral areas. It advocated for a holistic approach to integrating climate change resilience at every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle.

SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Parliament stressed the need to integrate climate change adaptation and biodiversity into urban planning and to strengthen urban resilience measures, including by fostering energy-efficient and climate-resilient housing, expanding green areas for ecosystem restoration, strengthening disaster preparedness and improving water management. Members stressed the importance of access to affordable, efficient, and sustainable transport systems, improved waste collection and management systems, and the need to address the modernisation, affordability, and sustainability of housing.

SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Reaffirming its commitment to multilateralism, Parliament called on the EU to play a leading role globally in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to fill the gaps left by others, by building new alliances and strengthening existing ones, as well as by working with global partners to mobilise funding.

Lastly, concerned about the prospects of a debt crisis in developing countries, particularly low-income and least developed countries, Members called for debt relief and restructuring for affected countries.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading