ABSTRACT
The concept of Leave No One Behind is pivotal to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing the inclusion of disadvantaged individuals, groups and countries while prioritizing the most vulnerable. Leave No One Behind aims to tackle inequalities through mechanisms of recognition, representation and the equitable distribution of resources, influencing both participation and outcomes within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. However, its transformative potential is constrained by structural inequalities in power and access to decision-making at both international and domestic levels. Despite the 2030 Agenda's commitments to human rights, equality and non-discrimination, inclusivity remains limited. Marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous peoples and racialized populations, often remain excluded. Structural barriers like racism and xenophobia continue to hinder progress, and the SDGs lack sufficient integration with human rights systems. While civil society organizations have used Leave No One Behind to hold governments accountable, more transformative actions are necessary to address systemic inequalities and fully realize the 2030 Agenda's potential.
