Pafos Live 11 March 2025
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Cyprus analyzed the results regarding Cyprus, included in the European Sustainable Development Report (SDR) for 2025, which was published on 29 January 2025. Cyprus was ranked 32nd out of 34 countries, in Europe, with an overall score of 62.7, which is slightly higher than the 61.0 score of 2023/24 (where Cyprus again held the same position). This position does no credit to our country and as SDSN Cyprus we remain committed to continue our efforts for our country's implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, through education, policy analysis, mobilization of all stakeholders and global cooperation.
Some of the most problematic indicators resulting in a negative assessment of a total of 8 SDGs (i.e. where there are significant challenges) include: excessive nitrogen use in agriculture (SDG 2), representation of women in parliament (SDG 5), offsetting water imports (SDG 6)1, municipal waste recycling rate (SDG 11), export of plastic waste (SDG 12) and CO2 emissions from fossil fuels (SDG 13).
It is noted that SDG 1 (Poverty) has been achieved and there is progress on SDG 10 (Inequality). It is also important to note that efforts are being made for progress, such as the launch in 2021 of the Voluntary National Review for the Cyprus Goals. SDSN Cyprus actively encourages all efforts in this positive direction.
SDSN Cyprus will soon announce the organization of an event in which the findings of the aforementioned report will be presented and commented on. This will be followed by a discussion on ways to reverse this sad reality. Since its establishment (2019) SDSN Cyprus has worked with social and government partners to improve the country's implementation of the SDGs. It promotes the dissemination of best practices, awareness-raising, education for sustainable development, youth engagement and mainstreaming of the SDGs in their daily activities.
