Second Voluntary National Report on implementation of 2030 Agenda presented at Moldova's government

The Voluntary National Report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development today was presented at the Government. The document shows the progress made by Moldova during 2020–2024, as well as the priorities for the next stage of development, in the context of accession to the European Union. The event brought together representatives of public authorities, the United Nations (UN), the National Bureau of Statistics, civil society, youth and development partners.

Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu emphasized that the Voluntary National Report provided a clear assessment of the progress achieved and helps guide actions for the coming period: “The key question this report answers is to what extent we have managed to become more resilient and to give our citizens the possibility of having a decent standard of living. Equally important is to understand whether, over the next five years, we can achieve this more quickly and more efficiently. The government will continue to invest in people — through better social support, facilitated access to medical services and quality education.”

“This Report is not just a reporting exercise, but a real act of responsibility towards people and the international community. Moldova has accelerated its reforms’ agenda, deepened its path toward European integration and proved a level of resilience that few small economies can match. The Report provides an honest assessment of this determination,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova Yesim Oruc.

The Report shows that, in recent years, Moldova has advanced in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, despite overlapping crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, high inflation and the effects of the war in Ukraine. Public interventions and the support of development partners have helped maintain macroeconomic stability, protect vulnerable populations and continue reforms aimed at European integration.

The document highlights progress in more areas: strengthening social protection, expanding support for vulnerable populations, investments in health, education, and social infrastructure, improving access to water and sanitation, strengthening energy security and developing the framework for climate action.

At the same time, the Report notes the economy’s return to a positive trajectory in 2023–2024, the growing role of small and medium-sized enterprises, the development of the information technology sector and the expansion of digitalization of public services. The modernization of transport and connectivity infrastructure has also helped bring services and opportunities closer to citizens.

The Report underscores progress in gender equality, the rule of law, and human security, including through strengthening the legal and institutional framework for combating violence against women and domestic violence.

External partnerships have played an important role in these advances. The financial and technical support provided by the European Union, the United Nations and other development partners has supported stability, the modernization of public administration, the digitalization of services, and the alignment of  Moldova with European standards.

At the same time, the document identifies priorities for the next period: reducing inequalities between rural and urban areas, strengthening institutional capacities, accelerating the green transition, increasing energy efficiency and improving data systems for evidence-based public policies.

The government will use the conclusions of the Voluntary National Report, in order to better guide public policies, investments and reforms in the coming years. The document reconfirms the country’s commitment to advance on the path of sustainable development, to strengthen public institutions and to build a more resilient, more inclusive state, closer to its citizens.

The 2026 Voluntary National Report, prepared with the support of UN agencies — UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator — will be presented by Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu on July 15. The head of the State Chancellery will speak at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will take place at the UN headquarters in New York.