The Development Research Branch, in collaboration with UN-OHRLLS, organized the first Voluntary National Review (VNR) LAB of the 2019 session of the HLPF on July 9^th. The LAB provided an informal platform for exchanges between countries that have presented a VNR and those that have not, as well as with the UN system and other stakeholders. The session was open by Mr. LIU Zhenmin, USG DESA, H.E. Mr. Perks Clemency Ligoya, Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations and Chair of the LDC Group and Ms. 'Utoikamanu, USG UN-OHRLLS. After the High-Level Opening Session, participants broke off into small groups for an informal hands-on discussion facilitated by staff members from UN/DESA. The substantive topic of the LAB was “achieving policy integration”. More than 80 participants, representing more than 20 Member States, and multiple civil society organizations and UN organizations, expressed their views regarding the need for integrated approaches, strengthening coordination and coherence among fiscal, monetary, trade and development policy objectives, to optimize sustainable development outcomes, considering cross-sectional and inter-generational trade-offs. Mr. Hamid Rashid, Chief of the Development Research Branch of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division, moderated the interactive session of the lab.

The opening remarks underscored that the VNR Labs provided additional space and time to continue discussion on the VNRs. Speakers emphasized that the SDGs demand an integrated approach at all levels as no domestic policy can be detached from the regional and global environment in which it operates, and stressed that LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDs remain the most vulnerable to these interlinkages and global challenges, such as climate change. Speakers noted that while there is no one size fits all model, it is crucial to rethink and redesign policies to make them more cross-cutting, to optimize synergies between various policies tackling interrelated social, environmental, and economic contemporary challenges.

During the interactive session, several LDCs, LLDCS, and SIDs relayed challenges related to policy integration and coherence, especially with regards to lack of financing to bridge persistent urban-rural geographical divides and to ensure that no one is left behind in the development process. Several countries noted best practices to help overcome these challenges, such as small data estimation to capture disaggregated data in geographically isolated regions, the mainstreaming of SDGs into national and local development plans and initiatives, and the creation of inter-ministerial taskforce teams to ensure implementation, follow-up, and review. The Lab concluded by stressing that integration efforts need to be tailored to specific contexts, incorporate effective communication of incentives for various stakeholders, and ensure that there are accountability structures and mechanisms in place. Furthermore, enhanced efforts should be made to change the mindsets of policy-makers and stakeholders, and to ensure that integration efforts are based on policies that are evidence-based.