CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF SERBIA AND THE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION

With the aim of constantly increasing economic development, and with the constant growth of the population, there was an excessive use of natural resources, which caused the search for a long-term solution and the creation of a concept of sustainable development. For this reason, the paper pointed out the basic aspects of sustainable development in current conditions, considering that modern society puts a heavy burden on the environment and all segments of the socio-economic system. The paper focuses on the challenges of sustainable development, according to the 2030 Agenda, more precisely on Sustainable Development Goals and challenges in implementing in Serbia and countries in the region. The biggest challenge that hit the world in 2020 and which the Serbia and the countries of the region also faced was the Covid-19 pandemic, so this challenge was singled out and dealt with separately as a challenge to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. With conclusion that today sustainable development cannot be spontaneous comes the realization that the process must be guided by international organizations, national states, local governments, all the way down to companies and individuals. That is why the paper outline the basic guidelines and principles of sustainable development of Serbia and the countries in the region, present the current situation in Serbia and future tendencies, and a comparative analysis of the countries in the region in terms of compliance with the guidelines, as well as the challenges in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.