Welcome to the United Nations
Participation works in Germany
The 2030 Agenda is being implemented at three levels – the national level (in Germany), the bilateral level (with Germany) and the multilateral level (by Germany). Sustainability gover nance offers structures for steering, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Germany’s sustainability policy. One focus is on formalised cooperation with the stakeholder groups that play a significant role in society. In Germany, the federal government, the Länder (federal states) and the municipalities share the responsibility for, and work together on, implementing the 2030 Agenda. Germany is convinced that implementation will only work with broad support from across society. In drafting the VNR, the government has therefore engaged closely with different generations of stakeholders from civil society, business, academia, Länder and municipalities.
Together with the German government, these stakeholder groups discussed the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the national challenges which that entails, and developed input for the 2025 VNR. This cooperation and exchange of ideas has been a great asset to the Review which has emerged from it and which shows that participation works. Germany is also involved in an international peer learning process with six other countries to foster international exchange of experience on challenges, success factors and lessons with regard to the drafting of VNRs.
Germany is shaping the transformation
Delivering on the recommendation made in the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), Germany has identified six areas of transformation:
1. Human well-being and capabilities; social justice
2. Energy transition and climate action
3. Circular economy
4. Sustainable construction and sustainable mobility
5. Sustainable agricultural and food systems
6. Pollutant free environment
In addition to this, Germany has identified five policy levers: governance; social mobilisation and participation; finances; research, innovation and digitalisation; and international responsibility and cooperation. The interministerial effort to update Germany’s Sustainable Development Strategy has been aimed at ensuring that the transformation is socially just, and at strengthening social cohesion. In parallel, efforts are under way to further develop sustainability governance with a focus on impact.
Germany is taking responsibility with forward-looking action
The triple planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss is already dramatically noticeable in all parts of the world. Germany is working for a systematic and sustainable transition to a lowcarbon/climateneutral, competitive, socially just, open and inclusive economy and society. It is therefore focusing on expanding renewable energy generation nationally and is working hard to mitigate climate change in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Sound financial policies support necessary investments for the future and help to achieve intergenerational equity. Nationally, Germany’s goal is performance budgeting with a more efficient focus on achieving the SDGs. It also assists its partners’ efforts in this regard. Germany has a responsibility for the impacts of its actions in other parts of the world. It supports sustainable development in its partner countries.
2030 and beyond
With the third VNR, Germany is sending a powerful message of support for strong multilateralism, not least in response to current challenges. Moreover, the German government is working nationally and with partners worldwide to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It is expressly committed to a holistic perspective on the SDGs and to strengthening the fundamental principles of the 2030 Agenda. Germany will therefore work for an ambitious post2030 Agenda framework.
