Impacts and Pathways of the Belt and Road Initiative on Sustainable Development Goals of the Involved Countries

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) tremendously impacts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the countries involved. However, the BRI's impacts and impact pathways on the synergies and trade‐offs in these countries' SDGs remain unclear. Using global data from 2005 to 2021, we find that the BRI has dramatically promoted low‐income countries' SDGs and the synergies between high‐income countries' SDGs. Continuing to prioritize economic growth as the main focus of the BRI may not be the optimal path for achieving mutual development that benefits all of humanity. Although there is environmental pressure involved with the BRI, this factor does not force involved countries to make trade‐offs between improving SDGs and environmental resources. Furthermore, the BRI affects involved countries' SDGs through two key channels: fostering industries, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) by enhancing people's well‐being (SDG 3) and promoting zero hunger (SDG 2) through sustainable cities (SDG 11).