Fast-tracking progress on SDGs: learning from global models

Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global framework set by the UN to tackle key development challenges by 2030. However, Pakistan ranks 137th out of 167 countries in the Sustainable Development Report 2024 with a score of 57 on the SDG Index. The report assesses SDG progress for all UN member states. The SDG Index score is presented on a scale of 0 to 100 and can be interpreted as a percentage towards optimal performance on the SDGs. Therefore, the difference between 100 and a country's SDG Index score is the distance, in percentage points, that must be overcome to reach optimum SDG performance.

This low rank 137/167 reflects significant struggles in poverty alleviation, quality education and healthcare, which are critical for the country's future development. Pakistan lags as other developing nations make substantial progress through localised approaches and bottom-up strategies. To improve its standing and accelerate progress, Pakistan could look to countries like Bangladesh and Kenya, as models, where localised initiatives and decentralised governance have been pivotal in driving their SDG achievements. Pakistan's performance is especially concerning compared to Bangladesh, a neighbouring country that ranks 107th on the SDG Index. Despite facing similar challenges, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress, particularly in areas like poverty reduction and gender equality. A key factor behind Bangladesh's success has been the focus on empowering local communities through grassroots initiatives. The Grameen Bank's microfinance model has been transformative in rural Bangladesh, particularly for women, helping to lift millions out of poverty. This approach has directly contributed to Bangladesh's progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). In contrast, Pakistan's poverty reduction efforts have been slow, and while the Benazir Income Support Programme has had a positive impact, it has not been integrated with localised economic empowerment schemes like those in Bangladesh. Bangladesh's community-led initiatives in renewable energy have also played a key role in improving access to clean energy (SDG 7), with solar home systems providing power to remote rural areas. Pakistan, although investing in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind, has not yet scaled these projects in a way that brings similar widespread benefits to rural communities.

Kenya, another developing country ranked 123rd on the SDG Index, offers further insights into how localised governance can accelerate SDG progress. Kenya's 2010 constitution significantly devolved power to local governments, allowing counties to take control of healthcare, infrastructure and development programmes. This decentralised approach has been key to Kenya's improvements in healthcare services, particularly maternal and child health (SDG 3), areas where Pakistan continues to face high mortality rates. Devolution has also allowed local governments to focus on region-specific challenges, something that Pakistan's provinces have struggled with, despite the devolutionary framework set by the 18th Amendment. While Pakistan has given more autonomy to its provinces, local governments remain underfunded and lack the capacity to implement localised SDG strategies effectively. Kenya's approach demonstrates how empowering local institutions, combined with adequate resources, can result in significant development gains.

One of the key reasons Pakistan ranks 137th on the SDG Index is its limited investment capacity. Economic constraints, including high levels of debt and fiscal deficits, have hindered the country's ability to invest in critical sectors like healthcare, education and infrastructure. Bangladesh and Kenya have faced similar financial challenges but have managed to overcome them through innovative funding models such as public-private partnerships and international development cooperation. In Kenya, for example, partnerships with international organisations have helped finance renewable energy projects and healthcare infrastructure, while Bangladesh's microfinance model has reduced reliance on government spending by fostering local entrepreneurship. Pakistan has the potential to follow similar models, but it requires stronger institutional frameworks and better financial planning to mobilise resources effectively.

Political instability is another factor holding back Pakistan's SDG progress. Frequent changes in government, along with inconsistent policy direction, have made it difficult to sustain long-term development strategies. In contrast, Bangladesh has managed to maintain consistent policies despite political challenges, and Kenya's decentralised governance model has allowed local governments to continue development initiatives even when national politics are unstable. Pakistan could learn from these examples by creating a more robust local governance framework that allows for continuity in development efforts, regardless of changes in the political landscape.

Additionally, Pakistan's significant urban-rural divide has exacerbated disparities in access to basic services. While urban centres like Karachi and Lahore have benefited from development in infrastructure and services, rural areas remain underdeveloped. The country's rural populations face severe challenges in accessing healthcare, clean water and quality education. Bangladesh and Kenya have all implemented rural development programmes that prioritise local needs and focus on reducing the urban-rural divide. In Bangladesh, community-led solar energy projects have improved access to electricity in rural areas, while in Kenya, decentralisation has enabled rural counties to prioritise healthcare and infrastructure development according to their specific needs can accelerate overall SDG progress. Pakistan, with its significant rural population, must focus on tailoring development strategies to meet the needs of these underserved regions. Empowering local governments to design and implement region-specific projects will be key to achieving this.

Pakistan's current SDG ranking of 136th indicates the need for a new approach that prioritises localisation and community-led development. Countries like Bangladesh and Kenya offer valuable lessons on how decentralised governance, public-private partnerships and bottom-up initiatives can drive progress. By empowering local governments, fostering community engagement and ensuring that development strategies are tailored to regional needs, Pakistan can begin to bridge the gap between its status and its 2030 SDG targets. The challenges are significant, but the potential for progress is equally vast. To move forward, Pakistan must look beyond top-down policies and embrace the power of localisation to achieve a sustainable and inclusive future for all its citizens.