The implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represents a major challenge for all countries. As the 2030 deadline draws closer, it is clear that the world is not on track to achieve the SDGs. This situation is being exacerbated by a wave of interconnected global challenges: the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, pandemics, food and energy shortages and growing poverty and inequality, worsened by large-scale conflicts. At this pivotal point, mere incremental and fragmented change will not suffice.
Policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD) is a key enabler to accelerate progress toward achieving the SDGs. By enabling the systematic integration of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development at all stages of policymaking, it can reduce policy fragmentation; ensure that policies across sectors and levels of government are mutually reinforcing in pursuing sustainable development; address the negative impacts of domestic policies on other countries; and enable the evaluation and consideration of the long-term impacts of policies.
The OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development [OECD/LEGAL/0381], was adopted by the OECD Council in 2019, revising the previous Recommendation on Good Institutional Practices in Promoting Policy Coherence for Development of 2010. This revision was in response to the demand by OECD Members and non-Members to address how to coherently implement the 2030 Agenda. The Recommendation focuses on the mechanisms that governments need to develop and implement coherent policies in all areas – that is, the processes, systems, structures and tools for managing and co‑ordinating policies at different levels of government. Today, the Recommendation remains the only internationally recognised standard guiding countries in formulating strategies and plans for PCSD.
This report provides the first, systematic assessment of the current state of implementation of PCSD by Adherents to the OECD Council Recommendation, based on consultations and analysis conducted over 2023-24. While most Adherents have established a foundation of political commitment to PCSD backed by strategies for sustainable development up to 2030, significant gaps persist. These gaps are particularly visible in the area of assessing and addressing the transboundary impacts of policies. Based on consultations and analysis, the report identifies the challenges behind these gaps, accompanying them with examples of good practices to facilitate further progress.
This publication reproduces in part the Report on the implementation of the OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development which was approved by the Public Governance Committee (PGC) and Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on 24 May 2024 and declassified by the OECD Council on 17 June 2024 [C(2024)92]. The Foreword, Acknowledgments, and Executive Summary are published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General. The opinions expressed and arguments employed therein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.