Relational follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda: accelerating the implementation of the sustainable development goals

Abstract

Achieving the 2030 Agenda requires comprehensive follow-up and review across all levels of government. Although local governments play a critical role in implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs), their current follow-up and review architecture — conceived from a global perspective and tailored to national reporting — ignores local actors. Understanding follow-up and review as a relational process, grounded in dynamic interactions across levels, can help ensure that no place is left behind. Advancing such a system involves three key shifts: repositioning follow-up and review as a strategic governance tool, aligning global goals with local priorities, and developing context-specific indicators. Drawing on emerging local practices, we show how relational approaches bridge the gap between global ambitions and on-the-ground realities by fostering adaptive policymaking, embedding the SDGs into strategic planning, and enabling context-sensitive implementation. This approach supports a more inclusive architecture for sustainable development, rooted in the strengths and agency of local actors.