The convergences between the Sustainable Development Goals and national agendas: the Brazilian case

Abstract One of the criticisms against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or 2030 Agenda is how they are decontextualized from national realities. To verify this, we worked to identify possible interfaces between the deliberations that took place at Brazilian national conferences and the 2030 Agenda, in the context of urban territories. A qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis of the final documents produced by the national conferences on health, food and nutrition security, environment and solidarity economy (2013–2015). The study considered all 17 SDGs and the results are presented in the five Ps categories. (i) People: discussions related to this category presented more convergences than any other. (ii) Planet: water was discussed in terms of its rational use and preservation, and as a right. Patterns of consumption, production and climate change were linked to the debate on food. (iii) Partnerships: varying views were presented, some regarding them as a threat against guaranteed rights and others as a way to strengthen the national agenda. (iv) Prosperity: discussions focused on economic growth and industrialization associated to the redistribution of wealth and overcoming inequities. Cities were considered strategic in rural–urban relations. (v) Peace: the term was absent, but ‘justice’ was discussed in terms of rights, fair taxation and the inclusion of people in vulnerable situations. Our results demonstrated that the 2030 Agenda clearly converges with Brazil’s social demands. They enabled contextualizing the SDGs and qualified the debates on their implementation, which indicate the adherence to principles of the health promotion field.