The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) published its seventh SDG progress report for Europe, North America, and Central Asia. Included in the report are stories from agencies and UN country teams participating in the Regional Coordination Group on Data and Statistics for Europe and Central Asia and from UNECE programmes that show concrete ways in which SDG progress is made in the region.

Titled, ‘Sustainable Development in the UNECE Region: Trends and Actions in 2026,’ the report assesses progress for the entire UNECE region and, separately, for the 17 UNECE countries participating in technical cooperation programmes of the UN.

The report finds that the region is on track to achieve only 19 SDG targets, or 15% of the 127 measurable targets, by 2030. This is down from 21 targets in 2025, and 20 targets in 2024. Progress on 82 targets needs to speed up, and current trends need to reverse on 26 targets – up from 20 last year.

For the 17 programme countries, 20 of the 115 measurable targets are on track, 76 need to accelerate, and 19 require a reversal of current trends, according to the report.

In a foreword, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean underscores the shared recognition that achieving the SDGs “requires bold action, innovation within governments, strengthened institutions and a genuine whole-of-society approach.” She also notes that while overall there is movement away from the desired direction, “most targets still show forward momentum, reflecting substantial development gains achieved despite crises, conflict and other pressures.”

The report was issued on 31 March 2026, in preparation for the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD), taking place from 21-22 April. Outcomes from the five RFSDs will contribute to the deliberations during the July session of the 2026 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

Convening under the theme, ‘Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all,’ HLPF 2026 will carry out in-depth reviews of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). [Publication: Sustainable Development in the UNECE Region: Trends and Actions in 2026] [Online Report] [Publication Landing Page] [UNECE Press Release]