A/HRC/34/25 VI. Challenges and opportunities for national implementation 32. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents unprecedented opportunities for advancing the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, as its implementation should be pursued in a manner that is consistent with the obligations of States under international law. At the same time, the 2030 Agenda expresses and reaffirms in multiple instances the commitment of Member States to achieve sustainable development for all, taking into account different levels of national development and capacities, different national realities and levels of development, and respecting national policy space for sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in particular in developing States. 33. For instance, the 2030 Agenda acknowledges the importance of regional and subregional dimensions, regional economic integration and interconnectivity in sustainable development, and that regional and subregional frameworks can facilitate the effective translation of sustainable development policies into concrete action at the national level. In addition, it acknowledges the role of national parliaments through their enactment of legislation and adoption of budgets and their role in ensuring accountability for effective implementation. 34. As Governments move forward in operationalizing the global commitments captured in the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level, it is essential that the integrated and universal nature of the Goals and targets is maintained and implemented as a coherent whole, rather than selectively. This presents a challenge for most States, in particular least developed countries, with 17 Goals and 169 targets to be implemented and their progress monitored. Governments would need to define national baselines and benchmarks towards achieving the global targets, “guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances”. 35. As the Sustainable Development Goals effectively mirror economic, social and cultural rights, the concept of core obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights can further guide efforts towards their implementation at the national level. One is the concept of progressive realization. In its article 2 (1), the Covenant requires States “to take steps” to the maximum of their available resources to achieve progressively the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights. Even though States may realize economic, social and cultural rights progressively, they must also take immediate action, irrespective of the resources they have, in five areas: elimination of discrimination; economic, social and cultural rights not subject to progressive realization; obligation to “take steps”; non-retrogressive measures; and minimum core obligations. 36. Applying these concepts of core obligations from economic, social and cultural rights should therefore assist not only in maintaining a coherent and integrated approach but also in prioritizing national efforts to leave no one behind, while avoiding retrogression on Goals and targets that are on track or have already been achieved, which would also require regular and conscious monitoring efforts. For example, with regard to targets relating to the elimination of discrimination against women, which under human rights law impose obligations with immediate effect, monitoring of these targets should ensure that no new discriminatory laws or policy measures are introduced. 37. Several of the targets will require efforts at the global and regional levels, and the mobilization of resources to address common challenges, such as migration, illicit financial flows, pollution of the oceans, improving terms of trade and global tax cooperation. The need for international cooperation to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is recognized under Global 17 (on the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development) and under the a, b and c targets of each of the other Goals. 9