Huseyn Huseynov: 83% of global SDG targets remain unfulfilled

Some 83% of global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets remain unfulfilled, said Huseyn Huseynov, Advisor to the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, during the event National Frameworks for Localizing SDGs held within the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

Huseynov pointed out that recent reports show only 17% of SDGs are currently being implemented: "Some progress has been achieved, but 83% of global SDG targets remain unmet, with only 17% at the stage of advancement. Globally, we still suffer from the incomplete implementation of SDGs. There are multiple challenges and reasons behind this – financing development, global crises, ecological and social issues all negatively affect SDG implementation. I would like to briefly touch upon how the Azerbaijani government applies SDGs under these global uncertainties and how we decided to localize them. We have already started localization in two cities."

The adviser highlighted Azerbaijan's national priorities and mechanisms: "As a country, we have an effective implementation mechanism for 17 SDGs, 96 prioritized targets, and 129 indicators. These indicators have been approved by the National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development."

He also emphasized Azerbaijan's national initiative SDG 18 focused on mine clearance: "This initiative is crucial for the safe reconstruction of liberated territories - Karabakh, the return of internally displaced persons, and the creation of new socio-economic opportunities for the country. The Azerbaijani government has submitted four Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024. We have already applied to the ECOSOC President to present our fifth VNR at the 2027 HLPF."

The official concluded that localization of SDGs is now a national priority: "With the support of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Azerbaijan, we decided to implement SDG localization as a pilot project in cities. We selected two different cities - Nakhchivan and Shusha."