BASIC INFORMATION
HungaryWednesday, 28 October 2026
Hungary adopted its first National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) in June 2007. The primary goal of this strategy was to guide Hungary’s social, economic, and environmental development onto a sustainable path in the medium and long term, aligning with both domestic realities and global trends. The NSDS was developed in line with the principles and objectives of the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy and was designed to be coherent with sectoral strategies and programs.
In 2008, the National Assembly established the National Council for Sustainable Development, which led to a renewal process for the strategy. Following extensive public consultations between 2009 and 2012, the Hungarian Parliament adopted the National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development (NFSSD) in March 2013, covering the period 2012–2024. While this framework was adopted before the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it includes relevant linkages to the SDGs, as confirmed in the 2015 Progress Report.
The term of the NFSSD 2012–2024 expired at the end of 2024. The National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT) has prepared a draft second National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development for the 12-year period 2025–2036. It continues to build on the four national resources (human, social, natural and economic) and includes an annex on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to the NFFT’s website, the draft had not yet been adopted by the National Assembly as of the latest information available (May 2026); the NFSSD adopted in 2013 therefore remains the only framework strategy adopted by Parliament.
Following the parliamentary elections and the formation of the new Government in May 2026, the Government’s institutional set-up for sustainable development has been reorganised. Under Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.), the newly established Ministry for the Living Environment is responsible for coordinating sustainable-development-related governmental tasks, including the preparation of the government’s sustainable development strategy and the coordination of the government strategies that serve the achievement of the SDGs (see “Lead ministry” below). In September 2026, the NFFT Secretariat prepared a matrix that maps the sixteen focus areas of the Framework Strategy (four for each national resource) to the policy responsibilities of the sixteen ministries under the new Decree.
National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development 2012–2024 (English):
https://www.nfft.hu/documents/127649/1361679/NFFT-ENG-web.pdf/f692c792-424d-4f5a-9f9d-9e6200303148
Draft second National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development 2025–2036 (working draft, Hungarian):
https://www.nfft.hu/documents/d/nfft/nffs2_2-0_skv_20240821-pdf
Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.) on the tasks and powers of the Members of the Government (consolidated text, Hungarian):
https://njt.jog.gov.hu/jogszabaly/2026-90-20-22
Act XIII of 2026 on the list of the ministries of Hungary (English):
As of October 2026, following the formation of the new Government in May 2026 and the entry into force of Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.) on the tasks and powers of the Members of the Government (as amended), the coordination of sustainable development in Hungary involves several key institutions:
Lead Government Body:
The Ministry for the Living Environment (Élő Környezetért Felelős Minisztérium, ÉKFM), established in 2026 by Act XIII of 2026 through a partial division of the former Ministry of Energy, is the lead ministry for sustainable development. Under Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.) (Sections 60(a) and 68), its minister is the member of the Government responsible for coordinating sustainable-development-related governmental tasks: the ministry prepares the government’s sustainable development strategy, coordinates the preparation of the government strategies that serve the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and represents the Government in national and international sustainable development organisations.
The ministry is also responsible for climate policy (including the National Climate Change Strategy, and, together with the energy ministry, the National Energy and Climate Plan, as well as climate adaptation), environmental protection, nature protection and biodiversity, waste management and the transition to a circular economy, water management and water protection, forestry, animal welfare and national public utility services. According to the NFFT’s matrix, it is therefore the primary responsible ministry for the natural-resource focus areas of the National Framework Strategy: biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use; material use and the circular economy; water management; and climate change (greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation).
Supporting Institutions:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KüM): Responsible for foreign policy and international development cooperation, i.e. for the external dimension of the 2030 Agenda.
Prime Minister’s Office (Miniszterelnökség): Supports the Prime Minister in setting and coordinating general government policy. Its minister is responsible, among other things, for general political coordination, the coordination of EU affairs and EU policies, supporting the development of government strategies, the coordination of social policy and government relations with society, and for operating the Government’s impact assessment system. According to the NFFT’s matrix, it has primary responsibility for civic activity, civil society organisations and access to information, and for the effectiveness of institutions and good governance.
Ministry of Economy and Energy (GEM): Responsible for energy policy and energy security, industrial policy, enterprise development, economic development and competitiveness, external economic affairs, tourism and national financial services. It prepares the industry-, energy-, transport- and buildings-related parts of the National Energy and Climate Plan. According to the NFFT’s matrix, it has primary responsibility (partly shared with other ministries) for employment and the sustainability of social insurance systems, innovation, entrepreneurship and productivity, and the sustainability of investments.
Ministry of Finance (PM): Responsible for public finances, tax policy, budgetary balance and macroeconomic stability; primary responsibility for the focus area on fiscal sustainability (public debt and budget deficit).
Other line ministries: Each ministry holds primary or related responsibility for particular focus areas of the National Framework Strategy, as set out in the NFFT’s matrix. Primary responsibilities include: Ministry of Health (health); Ministry of Education and Children (knowledge capital, public education); Ministry of Science and Technology (higher education, vocational training, research, development and innovation); Ministry of Social and Family Affairs (demography, poverty and social exclusion, social cohesion); Ministry of Social Relations and Culture (civic activity, social cohesion); Ministry of Justice (reducing corruption and rent-seeking, institutions and good governance); Ministry of the Interior (security and institutions); Ministry of Agriculture and Food Economy (biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use); Ministry of Transport and Public Investments (sustainability of investments); and Ministry of Rural and Settlement Development (social cohesion, territorial cohesion and local governments). The Ministry of Defence has related responsibilities.
Parliament: The incumbent Speaker of the Parliament (since May 2026: Ágnes Forsthoffer) chairs the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD), highlighting the legislative body’s commitment to sustainability issues.
National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT): Established in 2008, the NFFT serves as an advisory and consultative body, comprising representatives from political parties, scientific communities, economic interest groups, civil, and religious organizations. It plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable development policies and strategies by fostering stakeholder consultation and ensuring broad societal engagement in decision-making processes. Additionally, the NFFT strengthens the science-policy interface, facilitating the integration of scientific knowledge into policy formulation to ensure that sustainability strategies are informed by the latest research and best practices. In September 2026, the NFFT Secretariat prepared a matrix that maps the sixteen focus areas of the National Framework Strategy to the policy responsibilities of the ministries under Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.), distinguishing primary and related responsibilities. In May 2026, the Speaker noted that the new Ministry for the Living Environment also supports the Council’s mission.
National Economic and Social Council of Hungary (NGTT): Acts as a platform for dialogue among economic and social partners, contributing to the formulation and implementation of sustainable development policies.
For inquiries related to sustainable development, you can contact the NFFT through the following channels:
Email: nfft@parlament.hu
Website: https://www.nfft.hu/web/ncsd/national-council-for-sustainable-development
Hungary employs several mechanisms to ensure Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD), facilitating coordination across ministries, subnational levels, and various stakeholders.
Coordination Across Ministries:
Since the formation of the new Government in May 2026, the coordination of sustainable-development-related governmental tasks lies with the Ministry for the Living Environment. Its minister prepares the government’s sustainable development strategy, coordinates the preparation of the government strategies serving the SDGs and represents the Government in national and international sustainable development organisations (Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.)). The Prime Minister’s Office supports the development of government strategies, coordinates general government policy and EU affairs, and operates the Government’s impact assessment system. Under the Decree, every minister is obliged to cooperate with the other Members of the Government when exercising their tasks, and prepares the strategic documents and programmes within their portfolio and coordinates their implementation.
The Interministerial Coordination Mechanism established in 2017 – comprising representatives from each line ministry, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, civil society, academia and the private sector – was set up to integrate the SDGs into sectoral policies and actions and in preparation of Hungary’s first Voluntary National Review.
To make the new division of responsibilities transparent, the NFFT Secretariat prepared in September 2026 a matrix that maps the sixteen focus areas of the National Framework Strategy (four for each national resource) to the sixteen ministries under Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.), distinguishing primary and related responsibilities. According to the matrix, the natural-resource focus areas (biodiversity and land use, material use and the circular economy, water management, and climate change) are primarily the responsibility of the Ministry for the Living Environment, with biodiversity and land use shared with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Economy. Employment and the sustainability of social insurance systems fall primarily under the Ministry of Economy and Energy; innovation and productivity are shared between that ministry and the Ministry of Science and Technology; and the sustainability of investments between the Ministry of Economy and Energy and the Ministry of Transport and Public Investments. Fiscal sustainability lies with the Ministry of Finance, while the human- and social-resource focus areas are shared mainly among the ministries responsible for social and family affairs, health, education, science, culture, and rural and settlement development.
Coordination with the Subnational Level:
The National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development (NFSSD) 2012–2024 assigns responsibilities to municipalities, emphasizing their role in the sustainable development of cities. This framework encourages local governments to align their strategies with national sustainability objectives, fostering vertical integration between national and local levels. Examples of initiatives supporting this coordination include the Klímabarát Települések Szövetsége (Alliance of Climate-Friendly Settlements), which promotes climate-conscious urban development, and the Egészséges Városok Egyesülete (Association of Healthy Cities), which supports local actions for public health and well-being.
Under the 2026 government structure, the Ministry of Rural and Settlement Development is responsible for rural and territorial development, local governments, territorial cohesion and EU development funds, while the Ministry for the Living Environment promotes and coordinates the preparation and implementation of regional and municipal climate strategies as part of its climate adaptation tasks.
Addressing Spillover Effects:
Hungary acknowledges the importance of considering both positive and negative spillover effects of its policies on other countries and future generations. The NFSSD emphasizes the need for sustainable management of natural resources, climate action, and biodiversity conservation, which inherently consider long-term and cross-border impacts. Additionally, the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) prepares biennial monitoring reports assessing the implementation of sustainability strategies, ensuring that potential spillover effects are identified and addressed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for international development cooperation, i.e. for Hungary’s external contribution to the 2030 Agenda, while the Prime Minister’s Office operates the Government’s impact assessment system and coordinates the ministries’ impact assessment tasks.
Coordination with Other Stakeholders:
Hungary actively involves a broad spectrum of stakeholders in planning and implementing the SDGs:
National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT): Established in 2008, the NFFT includes representatives from political parties, the scientific community, economic interest groups, civil society, and religious organizations. It serves as an advisory body to the Parliament, facilitating dialogue and collaboration among diverse sectors.
Civil Society Platforms: Initiatives like the Civil Roundtable for Sustainable Development Goals and the HAND Association of NGOs for Development and Humanitarian Aid provide platforms for NGOs to engage in SDG policy discussions, monitor implementation, and formulate recommendations.
Educational and Awareness Programs: Recognizing the importance of environmental education, Hungary has initiated programs such as the Green Kindergarten Network and the Eco-School Network to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among citizens from an early age. Additionally, the Fenntarthatósági Témahét (Sustainability Thematic Week) provides students with interactive learning opportunities on sustainability topics, fostering environmental consciousness and responsible citizenship.
Government–Civil Society Relations: The Prime Minister’s Office coordinates the Government’s relations with society and, according to the NFFT’s matrix, has primary responsibility for civic activity, civil society organisations and access to information; the Ministry of Social Relations and Culture is also primarily responsible for civic activity and social cohesion, and the Ministry of Rural and Settlement Development is the partner of local governments.
Through these mechanisms, Hungary strives to ensure that its sustainable development policies are coherent, inclusive, and considerate of both domestic and international impacts.
Hungary has established several mechanisms to promote Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD), facilitating coordination across various levels of government and with multiple stakeholders. Below are key mechanisms and relevant links:
Coordination Across Ministries:
Interministerial Coordination Mechanism: Established in 2017, this mechanism comprises representatives from each line ministry, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, civil society, academia, and the private sector. It ensures that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are integrated into sectoral policies and actions. Since May 2026, the coordination of sustainable-development-related governmental tasks lies with the Ministry for the Living Environment (Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.), Sections 60(a) and 68).
Link (Government Decree 90/2026 (V. 13.), consolidated text, Hungarian): https://njt.jog.gov.hu/jogszabaly/2026-90-20-22
Link (Act XIII of 2026 on the list of the ministries of Hungary, English): https://njt.jog.gov.hu/jogszabaly/en/2026-13-00-00
Coordination with the Subnational Level:
National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development (NFSSD) 2012–2024: This strategy assigns responsibilities to municipalities, emphasizing their role in the sustainable development of cities. It encourages local governments to align their strategies with national sustainability objectives.
Link: https://www.parlament.hu/web/ncsd/national-framework-strategy-on-sustainable-development-nfssd-
Coordination with Other Stakeholders:
National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT): Established in 2008, the NFFT includes representatives from political parties, the scientific community, economic interest groups, civil society, and religious organizations. It serves as an advisory body to the Parliament, facilitating dialogue and collaboration among diverse sectors.
Link: https://www.parlament.hu/web/ncsd
Subnational Sustainable Development Strategies:
Project Wasteless: Launched in 2016 by the National Food Chain Safety Office, this national-level food waste prevention program is part of the European and global food loss and food waste prevention initiatives. It focuses on awareness-raising, education, and research to reduce food waste in Hungary.
Monitoring Sustainable Development in Hungary
Monitoring Progress Towards Sustainable Development
Hungary monitors progress towards sustainable development through a combination of national and international frameworks. The Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) plays a crucial role by publishing the “Indicators of Sustainable Development” report – biennially between 2007 and 2019 and annually since then. The latest edition (2025) presents 132 indicators arranged along the four national resources of the NFSSD (human, social, natural and economic) and the 17 SDGs, and assesses short-term (5-year) and long-term (15-year) trends: according to its summary, roughly 55% of the indicators moved in the desired direction in the short term and about 60% in the long term, while around 25% moved away from their target values on both time horizons. In the EU’s composite sustainability ranking, Hungary is placed 17th. Additionally, the National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT) conducts biennial monitoring reports on the NFSSD, assessing the implementation of relevant SDGs and their compliance with national targets.
Integrating the SDGs into Monitoring
The SDGs are integrated into Hungary's monitoring framework through several mechanisms:
Alignment of NFSSD with SDGs: Although the NFSSD was adopted prior to the UN's 2030 Agenda, it encompasses objectives that align with the SDGs. The 2015 Progress Report analyzed this alignment, confirming that national targets correspond with global goals, thereby integrating the SDGs into Hungary's strategic framework.
Voluntary National Review (VNR): In 2018, Hungary conducted its first VNR, providing a comprehensive assessment of the country's progress towards achieving the SDGs. This review involved inputs from various line ministries, the HCSO, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector, ensuring a holistic evaluation of national policies and strategies in relation to the SDGs.
Inter-ministerial Coordination Mechanism: Established in 2017, this mechanism enhances policy coherence for sustainable development and involves all line ministries, ensuring that SDGs are considered across different policy areas. Since May 2026, the coordination of sustainable-development-related governmental tasks lies with the Ministry for the Living Environment.
Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO): Since 2007, the HCSO has published sustainable development indicators (biennially until 2019, annually since then), providing data-driven insights into the country’s sustainability performance. At the time of the 2018 VNR, data were available for approximately 75% of the global SDG indicators, and the HCSO coordinates the compilation of the national data for the global indicator list.
National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development (NFSSD) 2012–2024: Adopted by the Hungarian Parliament in 2013, the NFSSD outlines strategic objectives and instruments to promote sustainability across various sectors. To assess its implementation, the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) prepares biennial monitoring reports. These reports evaluate progress in areas such as social resources, environmental quality, economic resources, and governance, ensuring that sustainability considerations are integrated into national policies. The term of the NFSSD expired at the end of 2024; the draft second National Framework Strategy for 2025–2036, prepared by the NFFT, has not yet been adopted by Parliament (latest information: May 2026).
Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Hungary: https://hlpf.un.org/node/7165
Indicators of Sustainable Development for Hungary (2018): https://www.ksh.hu/docs/eng/xftp/idoszaki/fenntartfejl/efenntartfejl18.pdf
Indicators of Sustainable Development for Hungary (2025 edition, Hungarian only): https://ksh.hu/kiadvanyok/fenntarthato-fejlodes-indikatorai/2025/ffi
Hungary reports on progress towards sustainable development through several mechanisms:
Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs): Hungary submitted its first VNR in 2018, focusing on SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15. This report was prepared through an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism established in 2017, involving line ministries, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO), civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, and the private sector.
Annual Reports on Sustainable Development Indicators: The HCSO publishes annual reports (biennial until 2019) on sustainable development indicators, which support the monitoring of the National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development (NFSSD).
Biennial Monitoring Reports on the NFSSD: The NFFT prepares biennial monitoring (progress) reports on the implementation of the NFSSD, which are submitted to the National Assembly.
Institutions Involved in Reporting and Review Process
Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO): Plays a crucial role in providing data on sustainable development indicators and supporting the monitoring of SDGs.
Ministry for the Living Environment: Lead ministry for the coordination of sustainable-development-related governmental tasks; prepares the government’s sustainable development strategy, coordinates the strategies serving the SDGs and represents the Government in national and international sustainable development organisations. It is also responsible for climate policy and for the international reporting obligations in the areas of nature protection and forests.
Ministry of Economy and Energy: Oversees energy policy and contributes to sustainable development reporting through the industry-, energy-, transport- and buildings-related emission reduction planning, including the relevant parts of the National Energy and Climate Plan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Responsible for foreign policy and international development cooperation, i.e. for the external dimension of the 2030 Agenda.
Inter-ministerial Coordination Mechanism: Involves representatives from all line ministries and other stakeholders like CSOs, academia, and the private sector to enhance policy coherence and national implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Participate in the development and adoption of the NFSSD and contribute to the review process.
National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT): Prepares the biennial monitoring reports on the NFSSD for the National Assembly and supports the science–policy and stakeholder dialogue on sustainability.
Review Process
The review process involves a comprehensive assessment of progress towards sustainable development goals. This includes:
Public Consultations: The preparation of Hungary's VNR involved public consultations with stakeholders, ensuring broad participation in the review process.
International Platforms: Hungary participates in international forums like the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF), where countries share experiences and best practices in achieving the SDGs.
National Monitoring Reports: The HCSO’s annual reports provide a structured review of progress based on sustainable development indicators, and the NFFT’s biennial monitoring reports review the implementation of the NFSSD.
Links to Voluntary National Reviews
Voluntary National Review of Hungary (2018): Available at the UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform: https://hlpf.un.org/node/7165
High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) - Voluntary National Review 2018, Hungary: https://hlpf.un.org/countries/hungary/voluntary-national-review-2018
Presentation of Hungary's First Voluntary National Review at the HLPF: https://un-newyork.mfa.gov.hu/en
NFFT Monitoring Reports on the NFSSD (1st–4th reports, English): https://www.parlament.hu/web/ncsd/frameworkstrategy