This second lab, organized by the Secretariat of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) together with the Division for Inclusive Social Development and held on 16 July, addressed measures taken at national level in selected countries to improve the condition of the poorest and most vulnerable people. The Vice-Chair of the CDP, Prof. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, moderated the lab and presented key findings of the recent analysis of the VNR reports conducted by the CDP, outlining which groups are among those furthest left behind. The discussion reflected on how countries have mainstreamed the national concerns to leave no one behind and reduce inequality into their national SDG policies. Governmental and civil society experts from Bhutan, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and the UK discussed challenges and solutions on how to ensure that no one is left behind. Key messages centered around the following major themes: which groups are left behind; specific measures and policies on how to target those left behind; ensuring broad participation of all stakeholders of a country in the VNRs and in other national policy processes; and challenges to address inequalities that exist even within those groups that are left behind.

About the VNR Lab Series

During the ECOSOC High-Level Segment/Ministerial Meetings of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development DESA convened a series of eight VNR Labs, organized in response to demand from Member States, UN bodies and major stakeholders to take stock of the experiences of VNRs. The VNR Labs aimed to provide an informal platform for exchanges between countries that have conducted a VNR, and those that have not, as well as the UN system and other stakeholders.

More information and related links

CDP Background Paper: Voluntary National Review Reports – What Do They Report?
Infographic: Leaving No One Behind
Infographic: Policy Trade-Offs
Infographic: Global Partnerships