Transforming Institutions and Governance to Build forward Better towards 2030

The article is intended to stimulate the discussions on sustainable development and separate Sustainable Development Goals. It was initially prepared for the 21st session of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration “Transforming institutions and governance to build forward better towards 2030”. The article covers the progress, lessons learned and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the implementation of Goals 4, 5, 14 and 15 and on leaving no one behind, as well as reflections on the challenges of state-building. The authors suggest that building strong and effective public institutions is crucial for achieving the Goals and building forward better after the pandemic. This should be accompanied by investments in the public sector workforce to align competences and values with the challenges ahead. Supporting developing countries in making their public institutions, societal and physical infrastructure and economies more resilient and agile not only against COVID-19 but against all potential future shocks is crucial and in the interest of all nations. Global cooperation and solidarity are therefore critical, and all countries should work together to address the virus and ensure equitable vaccine distribution while also ensuring that no one – and no country – is left behind.