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Public Administration and Governance for the SDGs: Navigating between Change and Stability

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  • Louis Meuleman

    (Public Governance Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

This article highlights four key reform challenges regarding the quality of public administration and governance (PAG), aimed at increasing ‘SDG-readiness’ at all levels of administration, in a nexus characterized by complexity, volatility, pluriformity and uncertainty. Based on others’ research into how EU Member States institutionalize the implementation of the SDGs, a critical review of SDG-governance approaches, as well as a review paper on the management of the SDGs, it is concluded that that four priority areas could guide research and policy development to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Firstly, to recognize that creating an effective public administration and governance is an important strategic policy area. Secondly, to begin with mission-oriented public administration and governance reform for SDG implementation, replacing the efficiency-driven public sector reform of the past decades. Thirdly, to apply culturally sensitive metagovernance to design, define and manage trade-offs and achieving synergies between SDGs and their targets. Fourthly, to start concerted efforts to improve policy coherence with a mindset beyond political, institutional, and mental ‘silos’.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Meuleman, 2021. "Public Administration and Governance for the SDGs: Navigating between Change and Stability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5914-:d:561264
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    18. Ayṣem Mert & Elise Remling, 2023. "Changes in the practices and narratives of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum during the COVID-19 pandemic," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 123-132, June.
    19. Cameron Allen & Shirin Malekpour & Michael Mintrom, 2023. "Cross‐scale, cross‐level and multi‐actor governance of transformations toward the Sustainable Development Goals: A review of common challenges and solutions," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1250-1267, June.
    20. Rasa Grigoliene & Deimena Kiyak & Virgilijus Olsauskas & Inga Juknyte-Petreikiene, 2025. "Public Governance of Sustainable Development Implementation: A Case Study of Coastal Municipalities in Lithuania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-26, September.
    21. Grzegorz Przekota & Anna Kowal-Pawul & Anna Szczepańska-Przekota, 2025. "Determinants of the Shadow Economy—Implications for Fiscal Sustainability and Sustainable Development in the EU," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-35, October.
    22. Ramin Bashir KHODAPARASTI & Hooshmand Bagheri GARABOLLAGH, 2023. "Antecedents And Consequences Of Green Public Administration," REVISTA ADMINISTRATIE SI MANAGEMENT PUBLIC, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 2023(40), pages 39-57.
    23. Aleksander Aristovnik & Polonca Kovač & Eva Murko & Dejan Ravšelj & Lan Umek & Marie Bohatá & Bernhard Hirsch & Fabienne-Sophie Schäfer & Nina Tomaževič, 2021. "The Use of ICT by Local General Administrative Authorities during COVID-19 for a Sustainable Future: Comparing Five European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-20, October.
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    25. Afifa Anjum Khattak, 2024. "Role of Participation and Consensus on Projects’ Performance in Public Sector Health Care in Peshawar," International Journal of Politics & Social Sciences Review (IJPSSR), International Journal of Politics & Social Sciences Review (IJPSSR), vol. 3(III), pages 268-275.

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