United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday appointed 15 scientists from around the world to prepare the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report.
According to a statement, the flagship assessment will advise governments on how to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The report, produced every four years, aims to strengthen the link between science, policy and society. It will also provide evidence-based guidance to accelerate poverty reduction and sustainable development in the final years leading up to 2030.
A Diverse Panel of Experts
The group includes experts from Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. Their backgrounds span climate science, economics, law, social policy and business.
Greek economist Phoebe Koundouri and Nigerian researcher Adedoyin Adeleke will serve as co-chairs. Other members include Germany’s Marianne Beisheim, Spain’s Vanesa Castan Broto, Honduras’ Yensi Flores-Bueso, South Africa’s Mmaki Jantjies, Fiji’s Steven Ratuva and Rwanda’s Eliane Ubalijoro.
A U.N. task team led by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs will support them. The U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, U.N. Environment Programme, U.N. Development Programme, U.N. Conference on Trade and Development and the World Bank will also contribute.
The team will coordinate inputs from civil society, academia and the private sector.
Building on Past Reports
The GSDR was first proposed at the 2012 Rio+20 conference, where member states sought a science-policy tool to support the 2030 Agenda. Since then, independent scientists appointed by the Secretary-General have produced the report every four years.
The first United Nations report in 2019, “The Future Is Now,” stressed science-based strategies for achieving sustainable development. The second, “Times of Crisis, Times of Change,” appeared in 2023 and highlighted key transitions in food, energy, education, jobs and climate action.
Those findings shaped the 2023 SDG Summit and the 2024 Summit of the Future, where governments renewed their pledge to accelerate the 2030 Agenda.
Preparing for 2027 Launch
The new panel will release the third report in September 2027. The launch will come ahead of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the U.N. General Assembly.
The report will track progress on the 17 SDGs, flag new challenges and offer concrete recommendations for governments, businesses and civil society. According to the U.N., it will also be written in an accessible language to reach the wider public.
A Push Toward 2030
By spotlighting science-driven solutions, the 2027 GSDR is meant to help countries balance economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.
Guterres has warned that the world is off track on most SDGs. With five years left to 2030, United Nations officials say the next report will be critical to shaping policies that can deliver faster results.
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