Am 13. Juli 2026 präsentiert die Schweiz am High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) der UNO in New York ihren vierten Länderbericht zur Umsetzung der 17 Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (SDGs). Das Fazit des Berichts ist ernüchternd: Vier Jahre vor Fristende sind die SDGs bei Weitem nicht erreicht. Vor Ort am HLPF in New York veröffentlichte die Zivilgesellschaft folgendes Statement.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

We commend Switzerland for its comprehensive Voluntary National Review and inclusive engagement with civil society and other key stakeholders. However, we express deep concern regarding the insufficient progress on SDGs and the lack of political ambition for this transformative agenda. The government’s own report admits failures in poverty reduction[1], climate action[2], biodiversity[3], gender equality[4] and responsible consumption[5]. 

While the newly established assessment of spillover effects is a positive step, the report remains critically incomplete. It overlooks crucial negative externalities, specifically illicit financial flows and the overseas impacts of Swiss multinational corporations. Furthermore, the government refuses to engage in essential forward-looking debates on “beyond GDP” and “beyond growth” paradigms necessary for discussing the beyond 2030 agenda. 

Despite acknowledging these gaps, the government continues to enact budget cuts in vital environmental and social sectors while simultaneously increasing military spending. As one of the world’s wealthiest nations, Switzerland must embrace its responsibility as a global leader by actively investing in sustainability transformations and shaping the “Beyond 2030” discussions. 

In light of these observations, we ask the Swiss delegation:

1. How will Switzerland enhance action and policy coherence to ensure effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda over the next four years?  
2. How will Switzerland expand its spillover assessment to include critical omitted aspects and establish robust accountability? 
3. How will Switzerland demonstrate true international leadership by actively engaging in the Beyond 2030 discussions—including on beyond-growth economics—in full partnership with Civil Society and other sustainability drivers?

We urge the Swiss government to match its diplomatic reputation with domestic and international action that reflects the urgency of our times.

[1] The poverty rate has remained stagnant at around 8.4% (nearly 700,000 people in Switzerland), with no significant improvement since 2014.
[2] Although greenhouse gas emissions are decreasing, they still amounted to 41.3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2024. Switzerland is therefore clearly off track to achieve its target of halving emissions by 2030.
[3] The biological quality of marshes and wetlands is in a critical state. Each year, around CHF 10 billion in federal subsidies have harmful effects on biodiversity.
[4] Cases of domestic violence are increasing and an additional 23.2% of people feel discriminated against compared to 2016.
[5] The material footprint per person decreased from 20 to 15 tonnes between 2000 and 2023, but remains far too high (target: 6–8 tonnes).