The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched ten years ago. But their implementation over the past decade has been uneven and evidence suggests we are unlikely to achieve the goals by the 2030 deadline. In episode 3 of Multilateralism UNpacked Dr. Nicole Goldin and Dr. Jack Durrell explore the factors behind this lack of progress and how we can now accelerate implementation of the SDGs. The conversation also reflects on relevant discussions at two recent UN conferences - the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the High-Level Political Forum – and considers what comes next for the ‘2030 agenda’.

Related information:

1. The FFD4 Outcome Document, the 'Sevilla Commitment': https://financing.desa.un.org/document/ffd4-outcome-booklet-spread
2. Sevilla Platform for Action: https://financing.desa.un.org/ffd4/sevilla-platform-action
3. Connecting Decent Work to Sustainable Growth (Dr. Nicole Goldin's intervention at HLPF 2025): https://unu.edu/cpr/news/connecting-decent-work-sustainable-growth
4. Multilateralism Meeting the Moment: Moving forward from FFD4: https://unu.edu/cpr/blog-post/multilateralism-meeting-moment-moving-forward-ffd4

President Lula of Brazil has called COP30 the “Turnaround COP” – warning that it may represent our last chance to avoid an irreversible rupture in the climate system. In episode 2 of Multilateralism UNpacked, UNU-CPR Director, David Passarelli, speaks to the COP30 President, Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, a veteran Brazilian climate diplomat who will guide negotiations in Belém. Recorded at a workshop organized by a new UNU-CPR project – the Global Governance Innovation Platform – the conversation explores the challenges facing climate diplomacy, mobilizing support for a more sustainable climate agenda and Brazil’s COP30 priorities.

Dr. Jack Durrell, Head of Communications at UNU-CPR, speaks to Dr. Nicole Goldin, Head of the Centre's Equitable Development research pillar, on key takeaways from the recent IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, DC. Dr. Goldin shares insights on recent economic headwinds, the funding crisis and how the development sector can adapt through cooperation, domestic resource mobilization and innovation. Looking toward pivotal moments on the international agenda, such as this month's Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the conversation lays out what’s at stake and where solutions may lie.