The European Union presented its inaugural Voluntary Review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the United Nations in New York on July 19.

With this accountability instrument, the EU has adopted a 'whole-of-government' approach, integrating the SDGs into all policies and strategies since 2020. Flagship initiatives such as the European Green Deal and NextGenerationEU reflect this commitment, with significant funding allocated, including through the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The EU has also integrated the SDGs into its economic and fiscal policy coordination framework, the European Semester.

Eurostat's most recent data reveals progress across a majority of the SDGs, notably in areas such as decent work and economic growth, poverty reduction, and fostering inclusive societies. However, progress has been uneven, in part due to the pandemic and other external shocks, especially in areas related to climate action and the protection of natural resources.

Internationally, as the largest multilateral donor of Official Development Assistance, the EU provided