December 2022 - You are accessing an archived version of our website. This website is no longer maintained or updated. The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform has been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/
December 2022 - You are accessing an archived version of our website. This website is no longer maintained or updated. The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform has been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/
Watch video of panel where the VNR was presented
MAIN MESSAGES – SWEDEN’S VNR
Sweden’s Voluntary National Review 2021 builds on progress made on its implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda since 2017.
Sweden is well ahead in achieving the SDGs but some challenges remain
Sweden is in a favourable position in its implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Peaceful and democratic conditions, ambitious national targets for a sustainable transition, openness to collaboration with others at home and abroad, and a dynamic business climate have together created a strong foundation for sustainable development and welfare. Sweden ranks highly in many international comparisons on SDG implementation. However, consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are hampering progress and exacerbating existing challenges. Economic and social inequalities in Sweden are increasing. Young people are exposed to more mental health challenges, violence and bullying. Sweden also has challenges relating to sustainable consumption and production, and the transition towards a circular economy.
SDG delivery and accelerated actions require:
- Political commitment to policy coherence for sustainable development
In December 2020, the Swedish Riksdag (Parliament) approved a government bill with an overarching objective for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda: Sweden will implement the 2030 Agenda to achieve economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development through a coherent policy nationally and internationally. Implementation will be guided by the Agenda’s ‘leave no one behind’ principle.
- Delivery on leaving no one behind
Sweden is committed to delivering on the principle of leaving no one behind. This is a commitment to realising human rights, gender equality, addressing inequalities within and between countries, universal social protection, strengthening empowerment and participation, and the transition towards resource-efficient, resilient and climate neutral economies. Moreover, Sweden views promoting multidimensional poverty reduction, social dialogue and decent work as critical elements, as well as improving data to monitor progress on compliance with the principle.
- Child and youth perspectives
The perspectives, engagement and innovation of young people are of great importance to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Issues of importance to Swedish young people include the environment and climate, gender equality and preventing oppression and discrimination.
- A whole-of-society approach
Multiple actors in Sweden are involved in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Government agencies and municipalities are working together to implement the 2030 Agenda. The research community is contributing with cutting-edge research and innovation on sustainable development. Civil society is paving the way through its own efforts and by pushing decision-makers to act. The business community is at the forefront of integrating the 2030 Agenda into their business models and driving new innovations. Trade unions are pushing for social dialogue and decent working conditions.
- Going local
Municipalities and regions play an important role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The SDGs are put in practice and innovations are developed and tested at the local level, which in turn contributes to implementation nationally and globally. In conjunction with Sweden’s VNR, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions has conducted a voluntary regional review. Helsingborg, Malmö, Stockholm and Uppsala have also carried out voluntary local reviews for the first time.
- Going global
Sweden will remain a strong voice for the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda and be a trusted partner worldwide. Sweden will work to build back better and greener in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mitigating and adapting to climate change, and halting biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems, are necessary to achieve all SDGs. Sweden has increased funding to tackle climate change and has stepped up efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems. Sweden will continue to focus on global health, including the fair distribution of vaccines. Sweden will always stand up for democracy, the rule of law and equality, including gender equality.
- Financing for development
Sweden is one of the most generous aid contributors globally and the Government is committed to allocating 1 percent of Sweden’s GNI to official development assistance (ODA). However, ODA is not enough. New forms of partnerships and innovative financing are needed, and domestic resource mobilisation must be strengthened. Debt vulnerabilities in low-income countries need to be addressed by engaging all official and private creditors. Financial flows need to shift by adopting green financial instruments and stopping investment in fossil fuels.
Leaving No One Behind - Long version from Swedish MFA on Vimeo.
Report | Topics covered | Process |
![]() |
CSD-18; CSD-19; | |
![]() |
CSD-18; CSD-19; | |
![]() |
CSD-18; CSD-19; | |
![]() |
CSD-18; CSD-19; | |
![]() |
CSD-18; CSD-19; | |
![]() |
CSD-18; CSD-19; | |
![]() |
CSD-16; CSD-17; | |
![]() |
CSD-16; CSD-17; | |
![]() |
CSD-16; CSD-17; | |
![]() |
CSD-14; CSD-15; | |
![]() |
CSD-14; CSD-15; | |
![]() |
CSD-12; CSD-13; | |
![]() |
CSD-12; CSD-13; | |
![]() |
CSD-12; CSD-13; |
Report | Topics covered | Process |
![]() |
||
![]() |
Report | Topics covered | Process |
![]() |
The best opportunity to slow the rate of near-term warming globally and in sensitive regions such as the Arctic is by cutting emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) – most notably methane, black carbon and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Widespread reductions, which complement the need for aggressive global action on carbon dioxide, contribute significantly to the goal of limiting warming to less than two degrees. Reducing SLCPs can also advance national priorities such as protecting air quality and public health, promoting food security, enhancing energy efficiency, and allevi...[more]
Sweden and Monaco share a deep commitment to the preservation of our oceans a well as a clear intention to support the implementation of sustainable development goal number 14 of the Agenda 2030 - SDG14. The two countries also have a strong will to engage government agencies, academia, companies and civil societies in these efforts as a broad approach has proven to be key to success. By organizing a follow-up event to The Ocean Conference in New York in June 2017, Sweden and Monaco wish to join forces in moving from words to deeds in facilitating the exchange of experiences and know-how in d...[more]
The IHO capacity building programme seeks to assess and advise on how countries can best meet their international obligations and serve their own best interests by providing appropriate hydrographic and nautical charting services. Such services directly support safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, efficient sea transportation and the wider use of the seas and oceans in a sustainable way, including the protection of the marine environment, coastal zone management, fishing, marine resource exploration and exploitation, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime defence and security, and o...[more]
Societal Innovation enabling Sustainable Development and a cross-sector eco-system transitioning to a Circular Economy. A modular scaleable platform supporting and connecting a network of ‘smart circular regions’ supporting the technical infrastructure to facilitate efficient community resource management. Supporting resource categories that include secondary material markets, transparent food systems, physical asset management, product-service network. Promoting the circular economy to enable regenerative communities and a wellbeing economy. Supporting Cities & Regions, organisations...[more]
The initiative aims to: Provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and expertise among governments, international organisations, civil society, think-tanks, the private sector, and other stakeholders on the policy implications of SDG implementation. Help governments and stakeholders to strengthen their capacities for analysing policy coherence challenges, and adapting institutional mechanisms, policy-making processes, and policy coherence monitoring and reporting systems to the needs and vision of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs; and Support national efforts for reporting progress on SDG Target 17...[more]
The Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development initiative seeks to identify and support new and sustainable approaches to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy solutions for increasing agriculture productivity and/or value in developing countries.
The Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF) is a platform that promotes industrial skills development among young people in emerging economies. Working with the private sector through Public Private Development Partnerships, the LKDF supports the establishment and upgrading of local industrial training academies to help meet the labour market’s increasing demand for skilled employees, ultimately contributing to inclusive and sustainable industrial development. The long-term success of local industrial academies that partner with the LKDF is ensured through constant monitoring of e...[more]