IISD’s Stefan Jungcurt has interviewed Audrey MacLean, German UN Youth Delegate for Sustainable Development. MacLean shares her perspectives on SDG progress, youth participation in Germany’s voluntary national review (VNR) development, and the future of the 2030 Agenda.

How are you advancing sustainable development as a youth delegate?

I am one of two German UN Youth Delegates for Sustainable Development. Our work is coordinated by the federal Youth Council and the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). We represent six million German youth to ensure their voices are heard in sustainable development negotiations. A big part of our work is awareness raising. Most youth in Germany don’t know what the SDGs are and what the Goals mean for them, so we empower them to participate. We build a bridge between youth and politics by developing position papers and organizing dialogues with decision makers.

What do the SDGs mean to youth ten years after their adoption?

I think the 2030 Agenda is mainly an agenda for justice and inclusion. It is of course about sustainability, but the key is justice between societies and generations. I was 15 when it was adopted. I remember being impressed by all the people coming together, wanting to work for a better world. I think the SDGs are still a very powerful roadmap. They remind us how much work still needs to be done.

Are youth disappointed about the progress to date or are you optimistic that the SDGs will help us address the current crises?

We are still facing difficult challenges for sure. Progress in addressing the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution has been slow. We are also concerned about countries eroding the Agenda’s principles and values and opposing science-based action. This can pull us back into very dark times. But on the other hand, there are still many countries that believe the SDGs are the right framework to work together globally. What gives me hope is how young people from all over the word with different backgrounds and positions come together. We discuss, we listen to each other, and we find compromise.

What did your participation in the German VNR development look like?

We coordinated with regional Youth Councils to participate in the VNR consultations and submit an official statement, parts of which were included in the VNR. The timeframe was challenging since we only had two months. But the German government’s interest in an honest and transparent VNR at a time when civic space for participation is shrinking everywhere was perceived as a good signal. We also consulted with youth from other countries, including in the Global South. It was very interesting to see their perspectives. The VNR can also be a way to show the world what works, where the gaps are, and where we can learn from other countries.

What impact do you expect from the HLPF and Germany’s VNR?

It is always challenging to bring the discussions from New York back to Germany. Our new government doesn’t seem to be very interested in the SDGs. Some policies, like fossil fuel subsidies and trade agreements that ignore human rights, directly contradict the SDGs. We need stronger mechanisms for implementation and better data, especially on marginalized groups that are at risk of being left behind. In Germany, we see inequality rising, which means that more people depend on support from the state, but we need better data to show that.

What are you going to do after the HLPF?

We will have workshops and debriefs in our networks to explain the outcomes of the HLPF and discuss what worked and what didn’t. We will summarize this feedback in a report to the Environment Ministry with recommendations on what could be improved. And then we will start preparing for the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), which is coming up in December.

What are your priorities for the next five years to 2030?

We must accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. Rich countries lagging in implementation does not send a good message to the Global South. This means we must protect the 2030 Agenda and fulfill the promises we made. We should step up accountability beyond voluntary reporting and strengthen intergenerational justice. And we must reflect emerging challenges like geopolitical instabilities, migration, and threats from artificial intelligence (AI) and social media. But most of all we must defend human rights and our democracies.

What are your thoughts for the SDGs beyond 2030?

I think the 2030 Agenda is the best framework we have, despite the geopolitical tensions and increasing opposition. We should develop new stories that counter the narrative that only economic growth is important. We should improve the links between global and local action and create more horizontal connections so that cities can learn from each other. We need better partnerships with countries from the Global South. They must be empowered to lead in a post-2030 framework. Germany should take a moderating role and maintain funding and resources, especially now that countries cut funding for development assistance. All governments must highlight the importance of the 2030 Agenda as a tool to achieve a sustainable world where no one is left behind.