Estonia is devoted to the UN Agenda 2030 both domestically and internationally. In addition to the 17 SDGs, Estonia is also focusing on maintaining the viability of the Estonian cultural space pursuant to the “Sustainable Estonia 21” strategy. The SDGs are the basis for the “Estonia 2035” strategy that lays down Estonia’s long-term strategic objectives and relevant policy measures. The SDGs are also implemented by integrating them into government level development plans.
The implementation of SDGs is monitored through a mechanism based on Estonian sustainable development indicators and a regular data based reviews compiled by Statistics Estonia in co-operation with the Government Office and various ministries. All central governmental indicators are available in the online data-driven “Tree of Truth” that illustrates the status of the goals by governance areas.
The Commission for Sustainable Development (NCSD) provides a forum for stakeholder involvement and is most instrumental in the preparation of the NCSD. After the reform of the NCSD in 2022, the representatives from national ministries were include as members of the NCSD additionally to the stakeholders. The Commission makes proposals for achieving SDGs into the development strategy “Estonia 2035”, approves the list of SD indicators, gives input to the preparation of VNRs, approves VNR and implements the SDG-s.
After the reform of the NCSD in 2022, the representatives from national ministries were include as members of the NCSD additionally to the stakeholders. At present, the Commission consists of 19 representatives of different non-governmental organisations (11) and national ministries (8).
The Estonian Roundtable For Development Cooperation (AKÜ) has formed a coalition for SDGs consisting of partners from civil society (from human rights, environmental, gender etc. organisations) and the private and public sector. AKÜ and the members of the Commission for Sustainable Development are having policy dialogues with the relevant ministries. While NGOs work on the SDGs in their activities, most local NGOs do not link their activities to the Agenda 2030 framework despite considering the SDGs as very important.