Ethiopia presented its review report on the implementation of the SDGs at the 2025 edition of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). HLPF is held under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind” on July 14-24 in New York. This year’s HLPF reviewed progress on five Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
The Ethiopian delegation, led by Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development, in presenting Ethiopia’s report, emphasized key achievements across the five goals selected for review. Accordingly, she noted that, with 158 targets covered, significant accomplishments were seen in food security, social protection, economic growth, and productivity.
Ethiopia’s achievements in agricultural productivity, including through irrigated heat-resistant wheat farming, and its role in ending hunger and ensuring food security took centre stage. Progress in access to education at lower levels with targeted investment in pre-primary schools that have quadrupled was also noted. Expansion of school feeding programs resulting in a decrease in school dropouts was similarly underscored. Under SDG Goal 3, Fitsum pointed out the reduction in maternal mortality rate to 195 per 100,000 live births and decline in under-five mortality to 47 per 1,000 live births. The Community-Based Health Insurance program, which now covers 63 million people, is recognized for its role in achieving universal health coverage.
Under SDG 5 on Gender Equality, notable progress is reported in achieving women’s representation in positions of public administration with near gender parity at the Council of Ministers and the House of People’s Representatives. Promulgation of laws in rural land certification ending discrimination is also marked as progress for its role in the empowerment of women.
In the area of climate change, Ethiopia showcased its Green Legacy Initiative that saw the planting of over 40 billion seedlings over the past six years, which led to expansion of Ethiopia’s forest coverage to 24 percent. Progress in electricity access that has tripled, and all-weather road networks that have doubled, are also reported.
The VNR report outlined challenges Ethiopia, along with other developing countries, face in the implementation of the SDGs. These include inadequate youth employment, fiscal constraints, climate shocks, global price volatility, and declining development assistance. Several speakers praised Ethiopia’s progress and recommended measures in the fields of job creation and health finance.
This year’s HLPF, which was conducted at the heels of the Seville Conference on Financing for Development, deliberated on the global mobilization needed towards meaningful change in the achievement of Agenda 2030. The 2025 SDG report issued by the UN Secretary-General indicates only 35 percent of the 137 SDG targets are on track, while progress is insufficient on 47 percent of the targets, and 18 percent show regression. Africa is in need of special acceleration efforts for its implementation. The means of implementation also show an annual 4 trillion USD financing gap with ODA showing a 7 percent decline.
The Secretary-General of the UN, in launching the report, alarmed the international community on the regressions and appealed for urgent multilateralism to apply the available tools in alleviating poverty. To reverse the negative trajectory, key interventions are needed in closing the digital divide, skills development, women empowerment, increasing investment in human capital, and evidence-based policymaking. Revitalizing multilateralism also strongly resonated across several statements.