Varlamova M.L., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of International Economic Relations, Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7111-1136
e-mail: m.varlamova@donnu.edu.ua

Ishchuk Y.A., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of International Economic Relations, Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4187-7816
e-mail: yu.ishuk@donnu.edu.ua

Approaches to States’ Sustainable Development Assessment

Abstract. Introduction. In today’s conditions, the concept of sustainable development becomes particularly relevant and has been actively discussed both in scientific and governmental circles for many decades. During this time, various approaches have been developed to assess the sustainability of the countries’ development. It is important to note the challenge of the lack of a universally accepted methodology for assessing sustainable development, which complicates the analysis of global and regional trends. In connection with the European integration vector of Ukraine, there is also a need to analyze the trends in sustainable development of EU countries.

Purpose. The research is aimed at systematizing existing methods of sustainable development assessment of countries and analysis of sustainable development of EU countries.

Results. The article conducts an analysis of methods of assessment of sustainable development, systematizes approaches to defining the concept of “sustainable development”. It reveals the multifaceted nature of the concept, leading to the absence of a singular approach to measuring its resulting indicators. The classification of sustainable development assessment methods is examined, including an analysis of the sustainable development ranking of countries according to the UN methodology. The article examines the results of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by EU countries and proposes the improvement of assessment approaches through innovative technologies and artificial intelligence.

Conclusions. The assessment of sustainable development uses various methodologies proposed at both global (by international organizations) and local levels to identify country-specific issues. The analysis resulted in the systematization of approaches to sustainable development assessment, classifying them based on sustainability spheres, assessment methods, scales and combination methods. The analysis of the EU experience concludes that the monitoring of the sustainable development of EU countries is aligned with the progress of the implementation of the UN SDGs. Considerable attention is paid to this issue, and based on the 2022 ranking data, EU countries are at the forefront in terms of sustainable development.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainable development assessment methods; UN Sustainable Development Goals; EU sustainable development; country sustainable development index.

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