Global level

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the UN’s main platform for sustainable development, which plays a central role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda SDGs at global level. The Forum adopts intergovernmental political declarations and its members meet annually under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

At the 46^th session in March 2015, the UN Statistical Commission established Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), composed of chosen the UN member states and regional and international agencies.

The Expert Group was tasked with developing and implementing a global indicator framework for the 2030 Agenda goals approved at the 48^th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission in March 2017. The global indicator framework was subsequently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 6^th July 2017 and is included in the General Assembly’s Resolution on Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A/RES/71/313).

At the third meeting of the IAEG-SDGs from 30^th March to 1^st April 2016 in Mexico, three working groups were formed to promote addressing specific areas relevant to SDG indicator implementation:

• The Working Group on Geo-spatial Information (pdf – 256 kB) is tasked to deal with statistical indicators from a geographic perspective and identify existing gaps in geospatial data and metadata.
• Working Group on Inter-linkages of SDG Statistics to allow for Integrated Analyses in the Monitoring (pdf – 248 kB) was set up in order to ensure integration of analyses in the monitoring.
• Working Group on SDMX (pdf – 296 kB) works on specifying uniform structures and concept definitions for the transmission and dissemination of sustainable development goals indicators (SDGs).

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) as well as the individual working groups of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators meet at regular sessions.

European level

The EU has a strong starting position in terms of sustainable development and, together with the member states, is fully committed to be a frontrunner in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The SDGs feature in all of ten Commission priorities. In November 2016, the European Commission outlined its strategic approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including the sustainable development goals, in the document Next Steps for a Sustainable European Future.

For more information visit the official website Sustainable development goals overview.

National level

The Slovak Republic took commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda in the document Baselines of the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by the Government Resolution 95/2016.

In Slovakia, responsibility for the 2030 Agenda is divided between the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

Within the meaning of the Government Resolution 95/2016 of 2^nd March 2016, the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic is responsible for the national implementation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic for the implementation in the international environment.

Under Resolution of the Government of the SR 5/2017 of January 11^th 2017, the Government of the Slovak Republic approved the Concept for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the International Environment submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic representing a vision how Slovakia can contribute, via its foreign engagement, to fulfil the goals of sustainable development on a global scale.

On 24^th July 2017, the Government of the Slovak Republic approved Proposal for the National Implementation Process of the 2030 Agenda, elaborated by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic. The main purpose of this document is to provide a framework that will allow better coordination and more effective solution of comprehensive cross-cutting issues, which are in the competence of several state bodies and institutions. Within the consultative process involving government, local government and experts, the national priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda were defined and were submitted to the Government of the SR for approval on 13^th June 2018 by Government Resolution 273/2018. Measurable strategic goals, relevant national indicators and relevant implementation documents and measures of the ministries will be given to the respective national priorities.

Government Resolution 576/2020 of 23th September 2020 approved Report on the results achieved in the national priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Its aim is to provide information on the results achieved in the national priorities of Agenda 2030 in the period from their approval in July 2018 to April 2020. The report also includes information on the implementation of Agenda 2030 by the Slovak Republic in the international environment. The report is intended for experts from the public administration, academic, civic and private sectors, but also for the general professional public.

The second report on the achievements of the national priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda was approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic by Resolution No. 410/2022 of 22 June 2022. The report provides a quantitative assessment of the progress of the Slovak Republic in achieving the 2030 Agenda SDGs through selected 2030 Agenda indicators. The report is also intended to serve as the basis for the “Voluntary Report 2023” for the session of the UN High-Level Political Forum in 2023. Detailed results of the UN SDGs monitoring are presented in the 17 chapters of this report. The indicators highlight the progress made by the country in meeting the 16 SDGs, as well as areas where further efforts are needed. The monitoring report can inspire citizens to become politically active in the debate, politicians, researchers and business people to take action for sustainability development. This will create an opportunity for relevant government institutions to make proposals to improve the performance of the Government in implementing the 2030 Agenda and for the national budget to reflect the findings of the report and any relevant recommendations.

Vision and Development Strategy 2030 – “Slovakia 2030” was adopted by Government Resolution 41/2021 of 20th January 2021. “Slovakia 2030” follows both horizontal and vertical approach, representing a national regional development strategy at the same time. It contains 82 national indicators defined to measure the progress, which serve as a offer list.

Actual information on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is published on the website of Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic.

A set of the six national priorities and 29 key challenges that adjust Slovakia’s international commitment towards the 2030 Agenda to national conditions:

• • Education for a life in dignity

    (Supports SDGs: 4, 8, 10.)

    1. Improving the quality of education and enhancing the social status of teachers in the context of international comparison, global megatrends and the application of the principles of the knowledge economy.
    2. Strengthening the principles of inclusion in the education system and ensuring equal opportunities for all children, pupils, and students, regardless of their social background, disability or nationality / ethnicity, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for the application of positive social mobility.
    3. Creating conditions for the availability of quality employment opportunities in the open labour market for all population groups.
    4. Overcoming structural imbalances between labour force supply and labour market demand, increasing the readiness of workforce for current as well as future labour market needs, and providing sufficient opportunities for the lifelong learning of individuals.
    5. Creating social conditions, which ensure the stabilisation of talent and qualified workforce.

• • Transformation towards a knowledge-based and environmentally sustainable economy in the face of changing demography and global context

    (Supports SDGs: 7, 8, 9, 10, 12.)

    1. Transition to intensive sources of economic development – domestic research, development and innovation. Restructuring the economy towards greater added value and sustainable use of domestic resources. Strengthening the economic selfsufficiency of regions and regional development aimed at meeting the needs of inhabitants.
    2. Heading towards environmentally and socially sustainable production and consumption, as well as circular economy, while reducing subsidies to problematic sectors and internalising external social and environmental costs.
    3. Building sustainable energy and transport infrastructures. Developing a low-carbon economy built on the principles of sustainable energy. Developing a low-emission transport and logistics system enhancing the economic self-sufficiency of regions.
    4. Adapting competitive agriculture and forestry to climate change while minimising negative impacts on health, environment and biodiversity.
    5. Ensuring the fiscal sustainability of demographic change. Generating public revenues to maintain government social services for an aging population and to stimulate the outlined economic transformation.

• • Poverty reduction and social inclusion

    (Supports SDGs: 1, 2, 10.)

    1. Reducing social and economic inequalities between different population groups
    2. Increasing the integration rate of the marginalised Roma population.
    3. Enhancing equal opportunities for people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by enhancing the quality and accessibility of public services and by combatting discrimination, including institutional discrimination.
    4. Strengthening the principle of solidarity in the redistribution of available resources.
    5. Ensuring access to adequate housing for people at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

• • Sustainable settlements, regions and countryside in the face of climate change

    (Supports SDGs: 6, 7, 11, 13, 15.)

    1. Inclusive and sustainable urban and regional development, as well as integrated and participative territorial and strategic planning.
    2. Ensuring access to basic services and resources, including affordable mobility, energy, potable water and sanitation for all, while respecting environmental sustainability and the principle of minimising emissions.
    3. Adapting human settlements and the countryside to the adverse effects of climate change, with the objective of improving the quality of life of the population and maintaining stable and healthy ecosystems.
    4. Reducing the pollution and contamination of all environmental elements significantly, while respecting the principle of the polluter’s financial responsibility.
    5. Nature conservation and landscape development, aimed at ensuring the health and stability of ecosystems, the abilities of the countryside to provide necessary ecosystem services, and at halting the loss of biodiversity.

• • Rule of law, democracy and security

    (Supports SDGs: 5, 16.)

    1. Improving law enforcement, securing access to justice for all, and protecting and supporting human rights.
    2. Transparent, professional and effective public administration at all levels, oriented at results. Decision-making and policy-making based on relevant and credible data accessible to experts as well as the broad public, and implementation of the concept of value for money.
    3. Ensuring effective control of public authorities, including transparent and independent control and inspection bodies, as well as institutions for the protection of rights and freedoms. Strengthening the mechanisms and methods of detecting and fighting gross corruption.
    4. Supporting civil society, education towards democratic citizenship and mechanisms for participation in the creation, implementation and control of public policies.
    5. Ensuring public access to objective and diverse sources of information, enhancing the independence of public service media, critical thinking and media literacy.
    6. Effective identification and systematic improvement of the society’s resilience towards threats to the rule of law, democracy, internal and external security.

• Good health

  (Supports SDGs: 3, 10.)

  1. Supporting healthy lifestyles, prevention and individuals’ responsibility for their own health.
  2. Ensuring quality healthcare, which will be available to the whole population in terms of geography, time and finances.
  3. Identifying inequalities in the health status of the population, detecting causes and finding targeted solutions.