Welcome to the United Nations
Second Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Bulgaria, 2025
Main Messages
Bulgaria reaffirms its strong commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, the Goals) and continues to make dedicated efforts toward their achievement.
The country places particular emphasis on engaging society as a whole in this process and values the contribution of all stakeholders. The Goals are approached as a complex, interconnected and mutually reinforcing framework, with a strong emphasis on maintaining balance and coherence across them.
Bulgaria strives to ensure coherence across national policy areas with the Goals, by coordinating actions at the national level and providing political leadership.
The focus of the Second Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Bulgaria is on the progress achieved to date, as well as on the identified challenges and opportunities for national economic and social development.
The review of national progress toward the Goals over the period 2015–2024 shows that:
- Bulgaria has achieved significant progress in reducing poverty and hunger. Since the launch of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the proportion of the population living below the international poverty line has decreased fivefold, while the share of the population at risk of poverty has nearly halved.
- Increased investment in education and healthcare is equipping future generations to face the challenges of tomorrow.
- The use of green technologies and innovations is being promoted , contributing to sustainable economic growth.
- Efforts to preserve natural resources and biodiversity are recognized as fundamental to the country’s long-term sustainability.
- Substantial progress has been made in advancing gender equality , with continued support for women’s rights and their participation in social and economic life.
- Bulgaria is actively working to include marginalized and vulnerable groups in society through a range of social programmes and initiatives.
- Strong and transparent institutions are considered essential for sustainable development. Bulgaria remains committed to enhancing the efficiency and accountability of its institutions.
- Encouraging active citizen engagement in decision-making processes is seen as a vital element of successful SDG implementation.
- Bulgaria recognizes the importance of international cooperation and global partnerships for the achievement of the SDGs. The country actively participates in international initiatives and the exchange of good practices. Cooperation with European partners is essential for regional development and stability.
The review also provides an opportunity to identify areas where additional efforts are needed to address specific challenges:
- Ensuring that policy-making is informed by timely and reliable data is essential for its effectiveness. Looking ahead, Bulgaria will focus on the development of national information systems and on strengthening the collection and analysis of sustainable development-related statistics. Improved access to high-quality data will support evidence-based decision-making and empower all stakeholders to participate meaningfully in planning and implementation.
- Many of the barriers to achieving the Goals can be addressed more effectively and rapidly by focusing on local-level action and addressing challenges at the territorial level , within the framework of a robust multi-level governance model. Bulgaria will intensify efforts to engage local authorities, promote sustainable regional development, and ensure coherence between territorial development policies, national priorities, and the Goals. Strengthening coordination and cooperation between central and local government will be crucial to this process.
