Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have called for stronger international cooperation and partnerships to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as new data shows limited advancement across the region.

The appeal was made during the ninth regional forum on sustainable development convened by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in Santiago, Chile, ahead of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2026 scheduled for July.

Only 19% of SDG Targets on Track

According to the latest regional progress report, Latin America and the Caribbean are currently on track to achieve only 19% of SDG targets. Progress on 42% of targets remains slow, while 39% have either stalled or regressed since 2015.

José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs highlighted the challenges of advancing the 2030 Agenda amid a complex global environment. He emphasized that cooperation and collaboration remain essential tools to counter growing geopolitical pressures.

The forum also reviewed five key goals under detailed assessment in 2026: clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industry and innovation, sustainable cities, and global partnerships.

Regional Cooperation Seen as Key Driver

Officials stressed the importance of multilateral action to accelerate implementation. Li Junhua noted that the region has shown leadership in areas such as social protection and climate resilience, supported by evidence-based policymaking.

In a recorded message, Amina Mohammed urged countries to adopt ambitious strategies to meet SDG targets by 2030.

Dialogues at the forum included exchanges of national experiences, highlighting both successful initiatives and persistent challenges. Countries also shared insights from voluntary national reviews, which track progress and identify policy gaps.

Forum Adopts Recommendations for Accelerated Action

The forum concluded with a set of agreed recommendations emphasizing national responsibility alongside strengthened regional and global cooperation. The outcome document calls for improved coordination, knowledge-sharing, and joint efforts to address development challenges.

The annual forum is part of a broader global review process feeding into the UN’s high-level political forum. Its findings are expected to inform international discussions on sustainable development strategies in 2026.