The 2030 Development Agenda sets out a universal plan of action to achieve sustainable development in a balanced manner and seeks to realize the human rights and well-being of all people. It calls for leaving no one behind and for ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are met for all segments of society, at all ages, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable, including children, women, older persons and persons with disabilities, as well as vulnerable families.

The Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are a central element of the follow-up and review mechanisms of the 2030 Agenda as set out in the 2015 Declaration. The framework is built around voluntary, participatory, country-led processes that track progress on the SDGs, with a focus on people furthest behind, including vulnerable individuals and families.

This report presents an analytical overview of the main trends in the 127 VNRs presented in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 by 114 countries that submitted them in English and/or Spanish, (13 made it twice). It is based on the information provided about policies and priorities that contribute to families’ well-being. A family impact lens and a comprehensive family perspective constitutes the analytical framework under which VNRs are reviewed to identify family-oriented policies that are part of SDG social policies and strategies.

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