What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text

8. Underlines the importance of uninterrupted access to high-quality climate and environmental data and the fulfilment of international reporting obligations for science- and evidence-based policymaking; notes with concern that recent geopolitical developments highlight vulnerabilities in the global climate infrastructure; highlights, moreover, the need for stronger collaboration between EU and global institutions, the IPCC and the UN to ensure that both EU and global policies remain grounded in the latest climate science;

9. Recognises the importance of country-led sustainable development strategies for the implementation of the SDGs; acknowledges that sustainable development approaches should be tailored to specific local contexts; highlights, in this regard, the significant role of local and regional authorities in defining, implementing and monitoring local actions and strategies that contribute to the global achievement of the SDGs; stresses, moreover, that the effective implementation of the SDGs requires the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, stronger social and institutional partnerships, public and private investment, cooperation and shared responsibility between public actors, greater involvement of the people, adequate education and broader interaction between the public and private sectors, science and civil society;

10. Highlights that EU leadership in the global implementation of the SDGs remains crucial, especially in the light of multiple geopolitical challenges and ongoing crises; emphasises that the EU and its Member States should assume a stronger leadership role in coordinating global efforts to reverse stagnation or regression, and to facilitate and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, while remaining a reliable partner for effective and sustainable aid; stresses the important role of the European Green Deal in implementing and achieving the SDGs;

11. Highlights the need to mobilise adequate financial resources towards SDG-relevant transformations and to promote policy coherence and inclusiveness at all levels of governance, prioritising the inclusion of the SDGs in policymaking and Commission impact assessments;

12. Calls on the EU institutions to live up to their long-standing commitments to apply gender mainstreaming and an intersectional perspective to all EU policies and funding; regrets that countries still lack 44 % of data needed to track SGD 5 and that over 80 % of countries are missing data on at least one SDG 5 target; therefore, stresses the need to strengthen national statistical offices, and improve their global coordination and cooperation to ensure informed policymaking and close the remaining gender data gaps;

13. Highlights the significant role of the UN and the annual HLPF for the monitoring and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs; believes that the 2025 HLPF should be used as an opportunity to provide high-level political guidance and new impetus to intensified efforts and accelerated action to achieve the SDGs by 2030;

SDGs under in-depth review at the 2025 HLPF

SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

14. Regrets the marginal or moderate progress in most SDG 3 targets and the slowing pace since 2015 in multiple key areas; notes with concern that less than 10 % of SDG 3 targets are on track and less than one third are likely to be met by 2030; is highly concerned that the EU has also experienced setbacks in about half of the indicators analysed by Eurostat for its June 2024 report

15. Is alarmed that progress towards universal health coverage has slowed, leaving almost half of the world’s population without access to essential health services; is highly concerned that the lack of health coverage exposes 2 billion people to financial hardship from healthcare costs;

16. Underlines that healthcare systems are experiencing increased strains due to the ageing global population, low-quality healthcare infrastructure and the global shortage of healthcare workers and recalls that progressing towards universal health coverage requires addressing these challenges; underlines the significant disparities around the globe regarding the adequate number of healthcare workers, with low-income countries experiencing the lowest density and distribution; notes that an additional 1.8 million healthcare workers are needed in 54 countries, mostly high-income ones, just to maintain their current age-standardised density; highlights the vulnerability of healthcare workers confronted with increased workloads, burnout and mental health issues; recommends targeted support, training, and protective measures to safeguard frontline professionals and strengthen emergency health response capacity;

17. Stresses that multiple and interlocking crises, the negative impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on health, economic instability, poverty, persistent inequalities, especially among vulnerable populations and regions, and increasingly constrained resources, despite the increasing demands on health services, threaten to worsen the health crisis, undermine global health security and further derail progress towards SDG 3 targets;

18. Regrets the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health and on progress towards SDG 3 targets; stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed extensive long-lasting weaknesses in healthcare systems and has highlighted the importance of increasing crisis preparedness, crisis response capacity and healthcare systems resilience; stresses that health threats know no borders and that a local health emergency can quickly escalate into a global pandemic, necessitating a coordinated global response and strengthened international cooperation through robust multilateral health institutions, in particular the WHO;

19. Deeply regrets the US decision to withdraw from the WHO and the dismantling of health programmes under USAID; underlines that this decision will have a severe effect on people’s lives and access to health services globally, exposing and exacerbating weaknesses in global health systems, increasing healthcare disparities and straining resources with long-term consequences for global health security and resilience; stresses that this withdrawal will significantly hinder progress towards achieving SDG 3 by reducing capacities for monitoring health threats, as well as international coordination, resources and leadership in addressing health crises and promoting equitable access to health for all; calls on the US to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the WHO;

20. Recognises that efforts to combat communicable diseases such as HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases have led to significant progress in the past decades; is concerned, however, about the increased numbers of cases of malaria and tuberculosis and about the fact that, despite the achievements, inequalities continue to persist and threats continue to emerge, leaving many populations vulnerable and weakening global efforts; deeply regrets that the disruption of HIV-AIDS programmes could undo 20 years of progress, which could lead to over 10 million additional HIV-AIDS cases and 3 million deaths; calls for more effective implementation of policies and programmes to further reduce transmission rates and improve access to treatment and prevention, particularly in less developed countries;

21. Notes that neglected tropical diseases continue to affect billions of people, with many countries lacking adequate access to treatment, which highlights the urgent need to strengthen the prevention, preparation and response capacities of the EU and its partners, particularly in the Global South, to ensure that the benefits of global efforts reach everyone; calls for incentives to promote research and development on medicines targeting tropical diseases; calls for the EU to take proactive measures to encourage innovation and accelerate drug availability;

22. Notes with concern that, despite the improvement in skilled birth attendance and the decrease in global neonatal mortality and under-five mortality rates, the global maternal mortality rate remains almost unchanged since 2015; points to the significant divergences between low-income and high-income countries and the grim situation in high and very high alert fragile countries; calls for decisive action across Member States and as part of the EU’s external policies to make substantial progress towards the 2030 goal to reduce maternal mortality, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including access to quality maternal healthcare services, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, comprehensive antenatal and postnatal services, family planning and legal abortions;

23. Highlights that improvements in reducing adolescent birth rates and in access to modern contraceptive methods do not benefit all women and girls equally; points to the persisting social, economic and regional inequalities hindering the broadening of positive trends; calls for the EU to ensure, as a priority, access to safe and effective contraception methods and to legal abortion services across Member States and to contribute to the same through its external policies; reiterates its call for the right to safe and legal abortion to be included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights;

24. Recalls that the full realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and upholding women’s and girls’ bodily autonomy is critical to achieving gender equality; highlights that SRHR are an integral part of the universal health coverage and are critical to achieving SDG 3, particularly target 3.7; calls on the Commission to ensure that SRHR are included in EU initiatives and programmes on universal health coverage;

25. Regrets that progress towards the nine global voluntary targets agreed to in the NCD Global Monitoring Framework is slow and uneven; stresses that without increased uptake of these effective interventions, half of all countries will miss the 2030 SDG target to reduce NCD-related premature mortality by one third; calls, therefore, for strengthened, coordinated, and multi-sectoral actions to prevent and control NCDs to reduce suffering and prevent premature mortality; calls, moreover, for the implementation of the WHO’s ‘best buys’ policies to be prioritised, to address the primary risk factors of NCDs, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol, drug use and physical inactivity; calls, in addition, for the full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all signatory countries;

26. Calls on the Commission to fully align EU air quality standards with the WHO guidelines in line with the Ambient Air Quality Directive; recalls that sustainable cities and communities, and in particular tackling air pollution levels in urban areas, are key to promoting health and well-being, since over half of the world’s population currently resides in cities;

27. Calls for enhanced, coordinated and holistic action, multiannual and tailor-made planning and substantial investment to achieve universal health coverage; stresses the need to strengthen health systems and the healthcare workforce, ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services and safe, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines, promote disease prevention and treatment, develop innovative solutions, and build inclusive and resilient health systems; calls also for action to tackle aggravating environmental factors, reduce the number of illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution, reduce the risks from emerging and re-emerging zoonotic epidemics and pandemics, and combat antimicrobial resistance; underlines the need to support social and solidarity healthcare organisations and address social determinants of health and disparities in access to quality care and services, including sexual and reproductive health services, especially for vulnerable populations such as women and girls with disabilities, with particular attention to directly affected regions and rural and remote communities;

28. Stresses the need for horizontal programming in health policy and for investment in preparedness against health threats and in resilient public health systems; calls for increased investment in research and development on vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non- communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries with a view to providing access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines; regrets that in 2022, 20.5 million children missed out on life-saving vaccines; notes that access to vaccines must be equitable for an effective global response; calls for the use of initiatives such as the Global Gateway to facilitate investment for the local production of medicines and medical technologies and to prevent future health emergencies by strengthening capacities around the world;

29. Reaffirms its commitment to the One Health approach; considers that applying the One Health approach is key to achieving progress on SDG 3; underlines, moreover, the need for the Commission and the Member States to fully implement the EU global health strategy, monitoring its implementation and regularly reporting to Parliament on the achievement of its objectives;

30. Recalls that access to affordable and quality medicines depends also on technology and knowledge transfer; underlines, therefore, the flexibilities in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), confirmed by the Doha Declaration, as legitimate policy measures that governments can use to protect and promote public health by putting limits and safeguards on the enforcement of intellectual property rights; urges the EU to ensure that trade agreements with developing countries are fully supportive of this objective;

31. Underlines that environmental risks account for a quarter of the disease burden worldwide; recalls that, in line with the One Health approach, human and animal health depend on planetary health and that a healthy environment is a universal human right and a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and human well-being; welcomes the wide support at the UN General Assembly for the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right and calls for its effective protection at EU level; stresses the need to ban the most hazardous chemicals, including banning endocrine disruptors, and to phase out the PFAS forever chemicals, allowing their use only where essential for critical sectors, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals and products necessary for the twin transition to a climate neutral and digital economy; stresses the need to also ban exports of chemical pesticides that are banned in the EU to third countries;

32. Highlights the rising health risks due to the climate crisis, including increased incidences of heat-related illnesses, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and the spread of vector- and water-borne diseases; calls for dedicated efforts to protect vulnerable populations, including older persons, children, people with pre-existing conditions, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities, which face disproportionate climate-related health risks; urges for the implementation of localised heat action plans and the provision of accessible shelters and targeted outreach during extreme weather events;

33. Stresses, moreover, that extreme weather events are disrupting healthcare infrastructure, energy supply, and supply chains, thereby compromising access to critical medical care and treatment; underscores the need to invest in climate-resilient healthcare systems, including disaster-proof infrastructure, renewable energy sources in medical facilities, and robust water and sanitation systems; calls for the integration of early warning systems, mobile health units, and decentralised community-based healthcare models to ensure continuity of care in climate emergencies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to integrate climate resilience into all public health policies and national health strategies; encourages the use of SDG-aligned indicators to monitor the health impacts of climate change and to guide EU and national-level adaptation strategies;

SDG 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

34. Expresses grave concern about the slow progress towards gender equality, with a majority of the indicators being off track, risking further backsliding on gender equality and women’s rights, including actions that shrink the civic space for women rights defenders; considers that development aid cuts are already having a negative impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality; reaffirms gender equality as both a distinct goal and a catalyst for the advancement of the other SDG goals; calls for strong EU leadership internationally in the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights through policy and financial assistance;

35. Calls for accelerated, targeted action to end all forms of violence and harassment against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and to end harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’ based violence, sterilisation and female genital mutilation; recalls that over 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation and deplores the fact that new estimates show an increase of 30 million cases compared to 2016; remains gravely concerned about the high worldwide rates of maternal mortality, in particular in low and middle-income countries; stresses that rape remains one of the most widespread human rights violations and calls for the establishment of a common definition of rape on the basis of lack of consent; stresses that the objectives of SDG 5 must also play an important role in the EU’s relations with other countries;

37. Regrets that women’s sexual and reproductive rights remain limited globally, and stresses the importance of addressing the barriers that hinder women’s ability to make decisions about contraception, healthcare access and sexual consent, recognising that socio-economic factors, education and geographical location significantly influence women’s ability to exercise these rights; recalls the EU’s commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the right of every individual to have full control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights, free from discrimination, coercion and violence; warns that targets set by SDG 5 will not be achieved if universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is not guaranteed in the EU and globally and calls on the EU to prioritise this question in policy and funding, and enshrine the right to legal and safe abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; reiterates that all women must have access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and calls for the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes; calls for increased investment in these areas to ensure access to comprehensive and non-discriminatory services;

38. Calls for the continuation of funding for programmes focusing on promoting women’s rights, empowerment and autonomy and fighting against all forms of gender-based violence; calls on the Commission to ensure that 85 % of all new external actions incorporate gender as a significant or principal objective and that 20 % of ODA in each country is allocated to programmes with gender equality as one of their principal objectives; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to ensure the systematic implementation of rigorous gender analyses, gender disaggregated data collection, gender-responsive budgeting and gender impact assessments;

39. Regrets that assistance from OECD Development Assistance Committee donors for gender equality dropped in 2022, marking the first decline after a decade of growth; notes that only 4 % of allocable ODA focused on gender equality as its principal objective; stresses the need to mobilise new resources to resume progress towards gender equality; regrets that since the launch of the GAP III only 3.8 % of all gender-responsive/targeted actions have gender equality as a principal objective, falling behind the 5 % target outlined in the NDICI Regulation; calls on the Member States and the Commission to substantially increase the number of the EU’s actions having the promotion of gender equality as a principal objective; calls for the EU to increase its funding of multilateral funds for gender equality, such as UN Women, and for sexual and reproductive health, such as the UN Population Fund and the Global Fund to fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria;

40. Recalls that women in general perform most unpaid domestic and care work, which imposes a disproportionate burden on lower-income households, contributing to poverty, inequality and precarious living conditions and reducing the labour market participation of women; calls for stronger promotion of the right of every woman to balance her professional and private life based on joint responsibility and working conditions that facilitate the reconciliation of private, family and working lives; calls for accelerated efforts to close the gender pay and pension gaps, including in the care economy, as well as to tackle horizontal and vertical labour market segregation; calls, moreover, for efforts to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership in decision-making roles and opportunities in the public and private sectors, including in all aspects of peace and security; calls for further promotion of women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics;

41. Recognises the urgent need to respond to negative trends hampering progress in gender equality in the EU, including gender-based violence, and to prevalent sexist political discourse; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s Roadmap for Women’s Rights as a compass for future EU action in the area both inside and outside the Union and in shaping the new gender equality strategy from 2026; stresses that this roadmap should foster the implementation of legislative and non-legislative measures for greater progress and accountability on SDG 5 and calls for stronger Member States involvement; urges a comprehensive approach addressing sexual and reproductive services, intersectional discrimination and the protection of vulnerable women;

42. Deplores the increasing unjustified attacks against civil society organisations, particularly women’s rights organisations, both in the EU and worldwide; stresses the need for the establishment of a protection mechanism for human rights defenders in the EU, with particular attention paid to women, LGBTIQ+ people and SRHR human rights defenders; calls for the full implementation of gender equality policies (gender action plan, gender equality strategy), including in their SRHR components, and insists that this implementation must be backed up with adequate funding, including for women’s rights and SRHR organisations, and information about family planning, affordable contraception, free, safe and legal abortion, and maternal healthcare; stresses that women’s rights organisations continue to be systematically underfunded, receiving less than 1 % of global ODA;

43. Recognises that, despite progress, 122 million girls worldwide remain out of school; emphasises that equal access to education is fundamental for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and economic prosperity, as it empowers women and girls to participate fully in society; calls for the integration of gender-responsive strategies in education policies to address these inequalities; calls on Member States to ensure the provision of education in primary and secondary schools, focused on fighting gender-based violence and gender stereotyping; underlines that investing in girls’ education yields great returns for generations to come, directly contributing to the realisation of their fundamental rights and protecting them against all forms of violence, and also contributing to better well-being for whole societies;

44. Recognises the disproportionate vulnerability of women and girls in conflict and humanitarian crises, including the increased risk they face of sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, and disruption of essential services; reaffirms the vital role of women and girls in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction, emphasising their essential participation in peace negotiations and decision-making processes, as outlined in the women, peace and security agenda;

45. Calls for stronger policies and actions that promote access to land, credit, entrepreneurship and education, as well as employment and health, especially for women and girls in circumstances of vulnerability, women with disabilities, pregnant women and women in rural areas;

46. Takes note of the lessons learned listed in the 2024 join report entitled ‘Are we getting there? A synthesis of the UN system evaluations of SDG 5’, including the importance of effectively engaging men and boys in programmes and initiatives on issues that educate and assist them in the behavioural change that is needed if the targets are to be met, and the more sustained and comprehensive prioritisation of the targets in humanitarian settings;

47. Regrets the regression of LGBTIQ+ rights and the transphobia that threatens gender equality; denounces the fact that, between 2021 and 2022, just three anti-LGBTIQ+ organisations reported USD 1 billion in income, while 8 000 global LGBTIQ+ grantees received USD 905 million between them; warns of the worrying increase in anti-gender financing that aims to counteract the progressive achievements of women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights of the past decades;

48. Calls for the EU to ban conversion centres in the Member States and to do anything possible to prevent this practice everywhere;

SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

49. Is alarmed that SDG 8 targets face the highest rates of stagnation or regression among the SDGs under in-depth review at the 2025 HLPF;

50. Expresses concern about the decrease over the past decade in labour rights, freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, highlighting its adverse impact on social justice and efforts to promote productive employment and decent work for everyone; regrets that one fifth of the world’s population lives in countries with high levels of inequality; affirms the need to strengthen social measures to address inequalities in line with the leave no one behind principle, taking into account the social consequences of inflation, rising budget pressures, geopolitical tensions and risks posed by climate change and extreme weather events to the health and safety of workers; stresses the importance of a just transition for the decarbonisation of the economy, to ensure that the transition is as fair and inclusive as possible for all concerned;

51. Calls for stronger policies and bold actions to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development; urges the EU and global partners to use instruments such as the Global Gateway to leverage multiple sources of funding, including private sector investments, respect social and environmental standards and promote the creation of decent jobs that will reduce income inequality and ensure that no one is left behind; recognises the role of private finance in bridging the financing gap to achieve the SDGs; highlights, however, the need for public investments in critical services such as healthcare, education and social protection;

52. Underlines the need to address territorial and housing inequalities by supporting access to affordable, adequate and energy-efficient housing, especially in disadvantaged urban and rural areas; calls for increased investment in integrated community development, social infrastructure and basic services to promote social cohesion and economic inclusion; encourages support for local and regional authorities in implementing sustainable, inclusive and resilient development strategies that link climate, health, housing, mobility and social inclusion;

53. Expresses concern that economic growth in many developing countries remains slow and uneven, often hindered by structural weaknesses, economic inequalities, political instability, external shocks and the growing impact of climate change; emphasises that local initiatives addressing unique community needs play a vital role in fostering equitable economic growth; underscores that regional cooperation on economic corridors enhances trade, investment, sustainable industrialisation, and economic diversification;

54. Recommends increased public and private investment in research, sustainable business practices, the green and digital transition, quality education and skills development, including reskilling and upskilling, as well as aligning them with market demands, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to support access to finance and foster investment and innovation; reiterates the need for a special focus on the promotion of women’s economic empowerment and on ensuring equitable access to business opportunities; calls for inclusive policies for persons with disabilities in the workplace;

55. Reiterates the importance of policies that support youth employment, education and vocational training; stresses the significance of the expanding young population in the Global South for sustainable development; insists on the importance of creating stronger links between education, skills development and employment, to allow access to decent work in the rapidly changing labour market;

56. Emphasises that initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth should go hand in hand with social justice, gender equality, labour rights and environmental protection; calls for the EU to constructively engage with and work towards the adoption of the UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights;

57. Regrets that more than half of the global workforce finds itself in informal employment, thus posing a significant barrier to social justice and inclusive growth; expresses deep concern that in the least developed countries, in sub-Saharan Africa and in Central and Southern Asia, almost nine out of ten workers are still employed informally;

58. Notes that while gross domestic product remains an important indicator of economic performance, additional metrics reflecting social and environmental dimensions should be taken into account in order to achieve a more balanced and informed approach to economic policymaking;

59. Calls for further measures to eradicate forced labour and human trafficking, and to put an end to any form of child labour, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers;

SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

60. Stresses the alarming trends of marine pollution, coastal eutrophication, ocean acidification, rising temperatures, overfishing, declining marine biodiversity, habitat destruction, unsustainable industrial practices, underwater noise and inland water contamination, which individually and cumulatively threaten marine ecosystems and coastal communities, especially in developing countries and vulnerable regions, and hinder the achievement of SDG 14 targets;

61. Regrets the lack of actual progress towards meeting SDG 14 targets and, in some cases, their worsening outlook, notably owing to the lack of effective measures alongside increasing economic pressures; is alarmed that none of the SDG 14 targets for 2020 were met; considers that the marginal or moderate progress and the high levels of stagnation and regression mean that global action is far from the speed and scale required to meet SDG14 targets on time; recalls that equity in both benefits and cost-sharing is essential for the implementation of SDG 14;

62. Notes that SDG 14 remains among the least financed SDGs and that the current funding gap is estimated at about USD 150 billion per year; underlines that the 2025 UN Ocean Conference should provide new impetus in eliminating the existing funding gap and creating a stable and enabling environment for the mobilisation of increased funding for the achievement of the SDG 14 targets; calls on the EU and its Member States to step up their financial contribution to protecting and restoring marine ecosystems; calls on the Commission to allocate dedicated funds to the European Ocean Pact for the protection of the ocean and the just transition to a sustainable blue economy benefitting coastal communities, economic growth and society as a whole;