STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRIES: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND BEST PRACTICES

Abstract

The aim of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of successful national sustainable development strategies with the identification of specific Sustainable Development Goals achieved through various measures, identification of key performance factors and formulation of recommendations for the adaptation of international experience for Ukraine in the context of post-conflict recovery. The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of sustainable development strategies of leading countries in the world, statistical analysis of the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals Index for 2024-2025 and synthesis of data from international reports of the UN, SDSN and the World Bank. The study considers five different models: the Scandinavian approach (Finland, Sweden, Denmark), the Latin American innovative model (Costa Rica), the post-conflict recovery strategy (Rwanda), the alternative development paradigm (Bhutan) and the continental integrated approach (European Union). The results show that Finland, Sweden and Denmark lead the global rankings thanks to the systematic integration of economic, social and environmental goals. Costa Rica’s environmental policies are found to be effective in restoring forest cover and increasing waste recycling capacity. Rwanda has significantly reduced poverty and improved its Doing Business ranking thanks to strategic reforms. Bhutan is unique as the only country in the world with carbon-negative forest cover, pioneering the use of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index as an alternative to GDP. The study shows that only 17% of the world’s SDG targets are on track for 2030, with 83% showing limited progress or regress, while European countries hold 19 of the top 20 positions in the sustainable development rankings. Critical success factors identified include: national ownership and local adaptation, multi-stakeholder partnerships, long-term planning coherence, economic, social and environmental integration, innovative financing mechanisms and robust monitoring systems. The practical value lies in developing specific recommendations for Ukraine on integrating sustainable development principles into its post-conflict reconstruction strategy, drawing on, in particular, Rwanda’s experience in post-conflict recovery, the Scandinavian model of green job creation and Costa Rica’s multi-stakeholder approach.