The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) published its seventh SDG progress report for Latin America and the Caribbean. It finds that amid “very slow” growth, a high prevalence of “substandard employment,” and low levels of social well-being, there is a need to pick up the pace in policymaking and implementation of transformative initiatives to drive the region’s development.

Titled, ‘The Challenge of Accelerating the 2030 Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean: Transitions Towards Sustainability,’ the report estimates that in LAC, 22% of the SDG targets have been or will be achieved by 2030, with 46% needing acceleration and 32% not on track of being achieved by the deadline. This is broadly in line with the global trend.

The report details progress on the five SDGs undergoing in-depth review at HLPF 2024 – SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). It finds that slow economic development, fragmentation among major powers, and geopolitical tensions exacerbate challenges the region faces in achieving these and other Goals.

To accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the report calls for progress in key transitions, which can have catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs. These transitions involve food systems, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

“These transitions must be planned in a joined-up manner, with intelligent foresight, and be redirected towards the desired objectives,” ECLAC’s Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs explains in a foreword. “This means designing and implementing a new generation of public policies… with a future vision and endowed with strategic governance and anticipatory management,” he writes.

The report offers recommendations on: transitioning to productive, inclusive, and sustainable development; meeting the challenges of achieving the SDGs; speeding up the transitions to sustainability; and increasing financing alternatives. It highlights the Summit of the Future (SoF) in September as an opportunity to “foster a strengthened commitment to the 2030 Agenda, together with renewed and bold policies and actions by all actors.”

The progress report informed the discussions during the 2024 Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD). It was launched on 16 April, at the inauguration of the Forum’s seventh meeting. [Publication: The Challenge of Accelerating the 2030 Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean: Transitions Towards Sustainability] [Publication Landing Page] [ECLAC Press Release] [ECLAC News Story]