Sustainability reporting and governance play a crucial role in achieving national sustainable development goals. A study of 42 countries found that good governance leads to more sustainability reporting, which in turn helps in reaching sustainable development goals. However, countries with better governance may struggle to meet these goals. The findings suggest that focusing on sustainability reporting can bridge the gap between governance and sustainable development. This research emphasizes the importance of involving society, businesses, and other stakeholders in sustainability reporting to make progress towards sustainable development goals.