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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our compass for worldwide progress. We demonstrate how global cooperation can create a more just and sustainable world.

The 2030 Agenda is a global pact for the future. It combines economic progress with social justice and the conservation of natural resources – without leaving anyone behind. Since 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement have formed the framework for Germany’s international cooperation – and thus also for GIZ’s work; all of our commissions contribute to the SDGs. Our implementation principles are directly derived from the 2030 Agenda.

Especially in times of geopolitical crises, increasing inequality and ecological tipping points, the 2030 Agenda is more relevant than ever.

Overview of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Taking stock: where do we stand at present?

With four years left to implement the 2030 Agenda, it is clear that we have made insufficient global progress. To illustrate:

Grafische Darstellung eines Diagramms. Im Vordergrund ist ein Ausrufezeichen.
Only 15%
of the 139 targets for which data is available are on track or meeting their goals.
Grafische Darstellung einer Menschengruppe.
9% of the world’s population
will still live in extreme poverty in 2030 (SDG 1) according to forecasts

In addition, 273 million children and young people had no access to education, 655 million people were living without electricity and around 2.3 billion were impacted by food insecurity. 

At the same time, 65 per cent of the targets are progressing better than in 2015: global rates of students completing school increased across all levels of education, 92 per cent of people worldwide have access to electricity (a third from renewable energy sources), and just over half of all people have at least one social protection benefit.

Who will pay for the future?

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, long-term investment is required. Official development assistance (ODA) fell by an unprecedented 23.1 per cent in 2025 to USD 174.3 billion. At the same time, developing countries have an annual financing gap of around USD four trillion, and the foreign debt of low and middle income countries reached a record high of USD 8.9 trillion in 2024.

What is needed now:

Reform international financial structures
Give development banks a new direction
Find private investors for sustainable projects
Strengthen networking between stakeholders in society

It will only be possible to close the funding gaps and achieve the SDGs if all the stakeholders pull together.

Our work in practice

GIZ aligns its work with the 2030 Agenda – on behalf of the German Federal Government, the EU and other partners.

Namibia as an example: modernising taxation and financing SDGs

„Last year, our Agency collected NAD 86.5 billion in gross revenue and refunded NAD 10 billion to taxpayers. With GIZ’s support in policy development, process re-engineering, and capacity building for auditors and tax investigators, we are strengthening our domestic resource mobilisation capacity, thereby supporting our government in funding the SDGs.

Sam Shivute
Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA)

With our support, a modern tax authority has been established in Namibia. Since then, the country has achieved its revenue goals – and is increasing capabilities for its own development.

Five principles for sustainable development.

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