Mr. Chair
Madam Executive Secretary
Excellencies
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
Allow me to thank the Executive Secretary for this invitation to deliver remarks at the session on voluntary national reviews. This workshop is held on the occasion of the regional sustainable development forums. These are critical platforms for peer learning in the region, and for preparing the discussions at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
I also commend all the countries from the region for presenting their VNRs. The ECE region has achieved almost universal reporting. Only two countries are yet to present their first VNR. And out of nine countries presenting at the HLPF, only one is coming for the first time.
We had, on 15 Mach, a very interesting workshop with all VNR countries. I am sure that today’s session will bring out the wealth of experiences from your VNR preparations and presentations over the years.
Indeed, the VNRs have been a success story of the 2030 Agenda. Globally, 168 countries have presented at least one VNR. For the first time, at this year’s HLPF, we will have more countries coming for the second and third time than those coming for the first time. I am sure that this trend will continue as we approach 2030. Indeed, the VNRs help keep the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs high on the national and international agenda.
The continuing high number of VNRs shows the sustained commitment to implementation, especially during this Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030, and as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
I thank ECE for its great cooperation in supporting the preparations of the VNRs from the region. We have worked together through regional workshops such as today, and through global workshops organized by DESA. And, during this time, we have seen the VNRs become increasingly more evidence-based and more reflective of the strengths and gaps in implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
This year, there will naturally be a strong emphasis on recovering better from COVID-19. Your region is one of those who are at the forefront. In this endeavor, we must keep in mind that the 2030 Agenda is our main framework for recovering better from the pandemic, and for putting the world on a just and sustainable path.
Voluntary national reviews can play an important part in this. Allow me to highlight the following points.
1. They will describe policies and measure that have been put in place to recover better from COVID-19, especially actions to leave no one behind, make societies more equal and sustainable, share economic benefits, and protect the environment;
2. They will showcase accelerated actions undertaken during the Decade of Action, and, as much as possible, describe their impact and lessons learned, so as to strengthen peer learning;
3. They will serve as a tool to coordinate action among different stakeholders both in and outside government, and forge strong partnerships;
4. They will be used to reflect how synergies and tradeoffs have been addressed, especially in relation to climate change;
5. They can serve to link different levels of government --especially now with the increasing number of voluntary local reviews;
6. They can support international cooperation by outlining, for many of your countries, your role in international cooperation and how it is being implemented; and
7. The VNRs can also be used as a peer learning tool among countries by forging innovative partnerships such as twinning arrangements.
Excellencies,
As many of your countries are coming to present a VNR for the second or third time, you might also want to think of defining a national roadmap on VNR presentations between now and 2030, linking your forthcoming VNRs to your national milestones. This can also be a means to identify priority capacity building needs.
DESA is available to support you in your participation in the HLPF. As I have mentioned, we work closely with ECE and other regional commissions. Together, we recently updated the Secretary-General’s voluntary guidelines for VNR presentations – which can help make VNRs more comparable across countries, bearing in mind the voluntary and state-led nature of the VNRs.
I am looking forward to hearing from you and your experiences.
I thank you.