The COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of sustainable development goals : the EU perspective

The 2030 Agenda, a global model for sustainable development, consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the world is to fulfil by 2030. The achievement of the SDGs has been notably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this article is to analyze and assess the progress of the European Union, as represented by selected indicators, towards the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU context and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A blend of research methodologies, including desk research and analysis of secondary data from the Eurostat database, was employed in our research. Additionally, statistical methods were utilized to compare the SDG implementation before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before the pandemic, the EU was making unequal progress toward the SDGs, with some areas needing more concentrated attention. COVID-19 has made it considerably harder for the EU and the rest of the world to accomplish the 2030 Agenda. The study assesses whether the pandemic caused a deviation from the previously set targets. The findings offer valuable insights that can be instrumental in shaping future policies and strategies aimed at attaining the SDGs.