The High level political forum (HLPF) is over, with a focus this year on water and sanitation for all (SDG6); affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (SDG 7); resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialisation (SDG 9); and inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements (SDG 11). 36 countries presented reviews of their performance.
What is the finding? Overall, the SDGs will not be reached as promised – unless something spectacular happens in the next four years. The current geopolitical context and power hierarchies make this unlikely.
Why do the national reviews and global commitments to the SDGs not impress?
Two reasons at least:
Like the MDGs before them, the SDGs lack an analysis. The do not talk about autocratic governments. The causes of violent conflicts are not spelt out. The profit motive fuelling hyperglobalisation, immense power and wealth concentration, and destruction of the planet’s habitability, is politely labelled “the current economic system”; and the SDGs are fixated on economic growth.
There is no true accountability. Although the SDGs promise to leave no one behind and commit, for example, to water for all, energy for all, they are not explicitly cast as rights. They are not binding, the accounting method is the voluntary national review which is not vetted.
Learning from this, we need to start thinking of a truly meaningful agenda for beyond 2030. One option would be to use the existing body of international law – the human rights conventions, the ILO labour standards, environmental and climate laws. See our proposal here – an incomplete first sketch to start reflections towards a human rights-based agenda: https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/07/43504 .
What next – beyond the HLPF – beyond the SDGs
The High level political forum (HLPF) is over, with a focus this year on water and sanitation for all (SDG6); affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (SDG 7); resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialisation (SDG 9); and inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements (SDG 11). 36 countries presented reviews of their performance.
What is the finding? Overall, the SDGs will not be reached as promised – unless something spectacular happens in the next four years. The current geopolitical context and power hierarchies make this unlikely.
Why do the national reviews and global commitments to the SDGs not impress?
Two reasons at least:
Learning from this, we need to start thinking of a truly meaningful agenda for beyond 2030. One option would be to use the existing body of international law – the human rights conventions, the ILO labour standards, environmental and climate laws. See our proposal here – an incomplete first sketch to start reflections towards a human rights-based agenda: https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/07/07/43504 .
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