By Simon Triebel
The Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) plays a central role in informing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is an integral component of its follow-up and review architecture. By strengthening the science-policy interface and providing an evidence-based tool for informed decision making, the GSDR makes a vital contribution to accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs. The Independent Group of Scientists (IGS) – an independent body appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in September 2025 – is in charge of writing the report. The GSDR will be presented at the SDG Summit in 2027.
On 15 April 2026, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) organized an outreach event to gather stakeholder input for, and to discuss emerging topics and contribute to the ongoing drafting of, GSDR 2027.
Themed, ‘Bridging Science, Policy and Practice: GSDR 2027 Dialogue,’ the event was held at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, SWP). It brought together 45 participants from German policymaking, academia, civil society, and the private sector. The event was preceded by the IGS’ two-day writing workshop.
In her opening remarks, Constanze Neher, Director of Development Policy Issues at BMZ, stressed the importance of a scientific approach to sustainable development in an age of rising disinformation. She pointed out that the GSDR is a central pillar of German sustainability policy and that Germany has supported the drafting of previous GSDRs in 2019 and 2023 and is doing so again for GSDR 2027.
Ulrich Nicklas, Head of Division for United Nations, 2030 Agenda, Asia and Latin America at BMUKN, highlighted the responsibility of the scientific community to identify ways forward in the face of global challenges. He emphasized the importance of strong stakeholder engagement for the GSDR to provide concrete and politically actionable recommendations.
Representatives from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) highlighted the GSDR as a flagship global assessment complementing the UN Secretary-General’s annual SDG Progress Report. They emphasized the significance of the 2027 edition as it is the final report before the 2030 deadline, offering a key opportunity to reflect not only on current challenges but also on pathways beyond 2030.
After a short introduction by the IGS to the emerging topics covered in the GSDR, participants and IGS members discussed the thematic areas and other emerging themes in breakout groups. Topics included the key challenges for sustainable development due to current pressures and a rapidly changing global context, marked by conflicts, economic pressures, and technological disruption. Discussions also focused on systematic barriers to sustainable development and on how integrated policies can deliver synergies to achieve systematic change. In this context, the topics of reducing inequalities and advancing justice, as well as the improvement of accountability mechanisms in SDG implementation, were highlighted. Participants also reflected on lessons learned from the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and considered how these could inform future approaches to sustainable development beyond 2030.
Throughout all sessions, participants emphasized that the GSDR should provide concise and concrete policy recommendations for policymakers and civil society. They also highlighted the importance of robust scientific findings to improve evidence-based policies for sustainable development.
The event stressed the value of inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue in informing sustainable development policy. IGS members thanked participants for the valuable input for the ongoing drafting process of the GSDR, emphasizing their appreciation for the dialogue between science and policy.
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Simon Triebel is Deputy Head of Division – Future of Development Cooperation, Reducing Poverty and Inequalities, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).