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Czechia's 3rd Voluntary National Review 2025 - Main Messages
Czechia’s 3rd Voluntary National Review represents a longstanding commitment to implementation of the 2030 Agenda and focuses on the progress made since the 2 nd VNR in 2021. It draws on the updated Strategic Framework Czech Republic 2030 with an outlook to 2050, approved by the Government in 2024. Although Czechia ranks 12 th out of 167 countries (Sustainable Development Report 2024), the VNR provides a self-critical assessment that contributes to improving SDG implementation.
The VNR is based on solid data evidence and reflects the current state of our society. It has been created in a transparent and participatory way, incorporating inputs from stakeholders including experts, youth and NGOs.
The social dimension of sustainable development in Czechia is underpinned by a strong social protection system that continues to improve access to health care, including mental health. Progress has been made towards accessible quality education and social integration of disadvantaged groups. Some gender equality issues remain difficult to address, but efforts are on-going. Czechia follows the LNOB approach, e.g. by strengthening human rights, protecting vulnerable groups and supporting social entrepreneurship. Overall, significant steps forward have been taken toward a more inclusive society.
Czechia is making tangible progress in the economic pillar of sustainable development and the related SDGs. Decarbonisation of the Czech economy continues, with total emissions falling below 100 Mt CO2 eq. in 2023 for the first time. Since 1990, emissions have already fallen by 47 %. The energy intensity of the economy is decreasing, and the share of renewable energy is steadily increasing. Czechia steadily supports research and innovations, which is essential for the transformation of the traditional manufacturing industry into a modern, technologically advanced economy with sustainable and competitive production.
Czechia is determined to contribute its part to the Paris and Kunming-Montreal commitments. Ongoing climate adaptation and nature protection measures focus on water quality and management and its retention in landscape, reforestation, sustainable land-use practices, the preservation of natural habitats and the improvement of ambient air quality and waste management. Progress in nature restoration is slow but steady. Although some sectors continue to exert pressure on the environment, improvement efforts persist.
Local and regional governments are increasingly involved in efforts to advance SDG implementation, through e.g. green infrastructure projects and sustainable public services. Legal and financial autonomy enables municipalities and regions to tailor their efforts to their specific needs and priorities. Community engagement and participation of different stakeholders are promoted through a variety of participatory methods. National and European financial subventions have contributed to more dynamic SDGs localisation.
Czechia embraces its responsibilities toward sustainable development. It remains a reliable, globally engaged partner. Its ODA amounted to USD 572 million in 2024. Czechia promotes human dignity and SDGs through a human rights-based approach, by strengthening the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, partnering with the private sector and NGOs, and contributing to the EU Global Gateway. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has severely impacted sustainable development both regionally and globally. Czechia responded with solidarity and efficiency, providing key support to refugees, while continuing its global development and humanitarian commitments.
Meaningful progress towards the SDGs has been achieved, but the data shows that there is still a long way to go. It is not possible to make headway without increasing our efforts together with relevant stakeholders. The way forward is to strengthen policy coherence. This means making policies coherent with the SDGs and rendering both strategies and laws into effective policymaking tools. It is also crucially important to demonstrate sustainability in everyday life to prevent it from becoming an empty concept. That is the aspiration of Czechia.
