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National sustainable development strategies are an approach to governing sustainability at the national level, aimed at achieving long-term sustainability goals in an integrated manner. They have been central to sustainability governance since Agenda 21, which identified them as key instruments for integrating economic, social and environmental objectives. While some countries adopted comprehensive approaches with clear goals and monitoring frameworks, others remained within traditional sectoral boundaries. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, many strategies have been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), functioning as meta-governance tools that foster integration, reflection and learning rather than driving direct policy change. With institutionalization and early experience, the initial enthusiasm has faded and ideas on how to strategically implement the SDGs have become more pluralistic. While national sustainable development strategies are likely to remain relevant in some contexts, future effectiveness in achieving the SDGs will depend on a variety of strategic policy frameworks and governance practices.