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UNECE Regional Forum for Sustainable Development - EU statement

EU statement for UNECE Regional Forum for Sustainable Development High level opening segment – 21 April 2026 The European Union (EU) and its Member States strongly support the full implementation of the ambitious, accelerated, just and transformative actions to reinvigorate the multilateral system, rebuild trust and implement the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while leaving no one behind. However, there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions for European and global security in a changing environment constitute an existential challenge for the European Union. The EU notes with grave concern that multiple and interlinked crises, especially conflicts and the triple planetary crisis, but also economic shocks and increasing fragility, continue to severely impede progress towards the SDGs, while increasing levels of poverty and inequality within and between countries. We must take accelerated, just and transformative actions in the remaining years up to 2030 and beyond, to reverse alarming trends like the biggest gaps for some SDGs and consolidate hard-won gains. In this regard, SDGs localization is crucial and must go hand in hand with institutional frameworks that support governments to support policy coherence for development. Accelerating implementation also requires investing in people by strengthening education, skills, innovation, and institutional capacity. SDG 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all The disruption of the global water cycle through climate change and environmental degradation and the aggravation of water stress through pollution, overexploitation and mismanagement of water resources, is a global concern that undermines the achievement of all SDGs. Achieving Goal 6 requires global commitment to ensure the rights to safe water and sanitation and water security for all, mobilising comprehensive financing mechanisms, leveraging innovative technologies, institutional capacity-building and transboundary water cooperation. With the adoption of the EU Water Resilience Strategy in June 2025, the EU will be working to ensure water efficiency, building a water-smart economy and ensuring clean and affordable water for all. The EU will be upgrading water infrastructure across Europe, boosting investments and making the most of digitalisation and innovation. The EU will also continue to supportthe global implementation of the UNECE Water Convention. . The EU strongly encourages the swift implementation of the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation and looks forward to the ambitious outcomes of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to strengthen Member States’ global cooperation on water. We encourage you all to contribute to the six Interactive Dialogues. SDG 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all The EU welcomes that progress towards achieving Goal 7 has been notable: energy intensity has fallen by over 20% and renewable energy capacity has increased in the region by nearly 20%. . However, SDG 7 remains off track, and progress is slowing and uneven. . The challenges for sustainable energy are rapidly increasing due to instability, armed conflicts and climate change. Achieving Goal 7 will require strengthened international cooperation, a significant increase in investment in developing economies, including private funding. The EU remains a steadfast partner in this regard, including through the Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative that aims at expanding renewable energy capacity by 50 GW and providing 100 million people with access to renewable electricity in Africa by 2030. Strengthening the resilience of our critical infrastructure and supply chains is not only a matter of economic policy but a fundamental prerequisite for maintaining social cohesion and sustaining progress across all Sustainable Development Goals in an increasingly volatile global perspective. SDG 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation Since 2015, notable progress has been made in expanding infrastructure, fostering industrial growth and boosting innovation. However, regional disparities persist and many developing countries continue to face systemic barriers to inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. To advance Goal 9, countries must boost investment in resilient infrastructure and research and development, expand access to finance for small manufacturers, leverage the potential of AI applications and bridge the digital divide by prioritizing affordable broadband and innovation systems in the world’s most underserved regions. SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Cities are powerful magnets of talent, drivers of competitiveness, digitalisation, innovation and investment. However, cities also face numerous challenges, as highlighted in the EU Agenda for Cities such as shortage of housing supply, climate change, pollution through chemicals and aste, high energy costs and pockets of poverty. To advance Goal 11, cities and communities need improved capacities, better access to funding, integrated approaches for territorial development and integrated strategies focused, among other, on affordable and inclusive sustainable mobility, inclusive housing or resilience and adaptation to climate risks and stronger local governance, supported by quality, timely and disaggregated data. In this regard, meaningful community participation is essential to ensure inclusive, effective and locally responsive implementation. Taking action to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs is more urgent than ever. The EU and its Member States reiterate their commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to a rules-based multilateral order. We look forward to substantial progress being reported by the 2027 SGD Summit.