Rethinking “governance through goals”: The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Colombia

Motivation As discussions on the post‐2030 development agenda gain momentum, it is urgent to assess the effectiveness of ‘governance through goals,’ and the influence of the Sustainable Development Goals on domestic norms and policies. Purpose The 2030 Agenda was conceived as a “plan of action” to steer national policies through an internationally agreed three‐layered framework of 17 Goals, underpinned by a battery of targets and indicators. However, international relations scholars have claimed that its adoption merely conveys the shared aspirations of national governments rather than their commitment to domestic implementation. Approach and methods Colombia's pioneering role in the inception of the SDG offered an auspicious setting for its domestic implementation. We first examine the salience of the Goals, its targets, and indicators in national norms and policies from September 2015 to 2023; then we focus specifically on those related to food security and agriculture. The case study is further informed by interviews with officials from the national government and international organizations. Findings We provide further evidence of the gap between the discursive endorsement of the 2030 Agenda and its effective integration into domestic norms and policies. Instead of roadmaps towards sustainable development, the Goals were used to classify national targets, policies, projects, and budget items according to their broad themes. The 2030 Agenda's targets and indicators were rarely cited in domestic norms and policies. Policy implications The governance of the post‐2030 development agenda must be refashioned to be effective. We envision two scenarios: the first involves reinforcing “governance through goals” with stricter, independent accountability mechanisms and participatory follow‐up processes. The second involves embracing aspirations and focusing on diversity, innovation, and mutual learning rather than on targets, indicators, and deadlines. While undertaking these processes, countries should abide by their pledges to integrate the 2030 Agenda into their national policies.