Review and Prospect of the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Lancang-Mekong Countries is a research project under the Green LancangMekong Initiative, which aims to improve Lancang-Mekong countries’ understanding about the regional performance in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to provide practical and effective decision-making support for the Lancang-Mekong environmental cooperation through the evaluation of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Lancang-Mekong countries scored relatively low in the SDG Index and Dashboards Report issued by SDSN. On the whole, Cambodia was off track towards SDGs due to weak foundation, but the newly launched PPP policy may effectively improve the business environment and the China-initiated AIIB may provide funding for future development. China has laid a sound foundation for development after 40 years of reform and opening up. Attaching utmost importance to sustainable development, the Chinese Government has successively set forth systems and policies that are compatible with SDGs. This makes it likely to fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, despite moderate challenges related to health (SDG 3), economic equality (SDG 10), climate change (SDG 13), and marine ecosystems (SDG 14). The Lao Government has incorporated SDGs in its national development plan and adopted "SDG 18: Lives safe from unexploded ordinance" in light of national conditions, but data and financing capacity inadequacy remains a major constraint urgently to be addressed for SDG realization. Myanmar's sustainable development has been relatively stagnant in recent years. Although Myanmar established the National SDG Steering Committee in 2016 and promulgated the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan 2018–2030, it remains to be seen whether these mechanisms and programs can be effectively enforced. With best foundation among the five countries in Indochina Peninsula, Thailand takes a more proactive attitude and embraces a more optimistic prospect of sustainable development. Vietnam refreshed its best score in the 2018 SDG Index rankings, but it still faces very severe test in achieving SDGs as the momentum of development is restrained by "serious disparity of performance".

In terms of SDG Dashboards, the six countries perform well in reducing extreme poverty (SDG 1) and enhancing partnerships (SDG 17), but face common challenges on good health and well-being (SDG 3) and marine ecosystems (SDG 14). While good health and well-being remains a persisting and tough challenge, some Lancang-Mekong countries are stagnating or even retrogressing towards marine ecosystem conservation in recent years. Major challenges for the six countries are also related to hunger (SDG2), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and peace, security and strong institutions (SDG 16). The figures show that the region faces many challenges: relatively fragile sustainable development foundation represented by infrastructure construction, regional development and governance system deficits, and the serious climate and environmental disasters.

all Lancang-Mekong countries currently have appropriately localized the SDG endeavor. These countires have formed innovative philosophies, relevant institutions and alignment policies to enhance global partnerships. Meanwhile, as the Lancang-Mekong cooperation and the “Belt and Road” initiative continue to deepen, these mechanisms will help the LancangMekong region implement the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. In the future, six countries should deepen the connection in the field of sustainable development, strengthen the construction of sustainable development infrastructure, highlight the idea of a community of shared destiny through public goods innovation, deepen international cooperation and upgrade regional partnerships.