In Focus: Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE region 2026
Date:
The 2026 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE region (RFSD) will take place in Geneva on 21–22 April 2026, under the theme “Transforming Together: Innovative and Equitable Actions for the SDGs.”
As the United Nations’ principal regional platform for policy dialogue, exchange of good practices, and peer learning on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Forum will convene governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, youth, the private sector, and other stakeholders. Participants will work together to identify and scale up actions to accelerate SDG progress, which remains off track across the region.
With the end date of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approaching, the Forum aims to catalyze coordinated action, sustain momentum, and promote innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to advance the SDGs.
SDGs under review
Aligned with the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Forum will review progress on the following Goals:
Forum highlights
The 2026 RFSD will feature:
- High-level and plenary segments under the title “Transforming together: innovative and equitable action for the SDGs”.
- Peer learning round tables covering the SDGs under review.
What is the process?
Each year, the RFSD serves as the region’s official input to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the UN’s main platform for global follow-up on the 2030 Agenda. The report from the 2026 RFSD will document regional progress, challenges, and policy recommendations, contributing to the HLPF’s overarching review of SDG progress worldwide.
⏰ UN Women side events
🗣️ From Local Voices to Global Action: Women Leaders Driving Climate & Disaster Resilience
📅 21 April 2026
Join us for a policy dialogue showcasing the transformative power of women leaders and grassroots organizations in shaping climate and disaster resilience across Europe and Central Asia
🌍 Localizing SDG 11 with Inclusive Financing, Safe and Resilient Cities in the UNECE Region
📅 21 April 2026
The virtual session explores how Gender Responsive Budgeting links commitments to funded action for safer, more inclusive cities for women and girls.
📖 Resources
Gender Snapshot for Europe and Central Asia: Summary of key findings
This snapshot underscores the interconnections between gender equality and broader sustainable development goals, demonstrating that progress on SDG 5 is essential to advancing the entire 2030 Agenda. It highlights the need for transformative policies, increased investment, and collective action to accelerate change. Read more here
Sustainable Development in the UNECE Region: Trends and Actions in 2026
In this report, the assessment is provided for the UNECE region as a whole (56 countries) as well as for the group of 17 UNECE countries participating in technical cooperation programmes of the United Nations, denoted as “programme countries”. Read more here
Join the Conversation
Whether participating online or in person, share your engagement using #RFSD2026.
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