<p>In this episode of <em>SDG </em>Learncast, we are speaking with Mr. <strong>Guillaume Lafortune</strong>, Vice-President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and lead author of the <a href="https://eu-dashboards.sdgindex.org/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025</a><strong> (ESDR)</strong>. We will unpack the key findings of the latest ESDR, examining the slowdown in SDG progress across Europe and the challenges that lie ahead.</p><p>Set against a backdrop of rising populism, geopolitical tensions, and climate risks, this conversation dives into urgent priorities for the new <strong>EU leadership (2024–2029)</strong>. Topics include persistent inequalities, international spillovers from EU consumption, the transformation of food systems, and the role of European leadership in shaping global sustainability efforts.</p><p>We also spotlight the outcomes of the <strong>Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4)</strong>, hosted in Spain, and discuss how Europe can lead reforms in global financial architecture to support SDG acceleration.</p><p>This episode explores how <strong>innovative financing, policy coherence, and new forms of SDG diplomacy</strong> can help Europe not only get back on track but also catalyze sustainable development globally. </p><p>Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at <a href="https://www.unsdglearn.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠www.unsdglearn.org⁠</a> to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at <a href="https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/. ⁠</a></p><p><em>The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.</em></p>