INCREASED POLICY COHERENCE AND ACCELERATED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA:
THE ROLE OF VOLUNTARY LOCAL REVIEWS IN COMPLEMENTING THE VNR PROCESS EXPERIENCES FROM THE REGIONS
MONDAY, 11 JULY 2022, 8:00 - 9:00 am (EST)
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Background
As we approach the midterm review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) remain critical tools in sustaining momentum and tracking progress in the advancement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2022 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) cycle, countries have continued to receive support for the preparation of their VNRs, benefiting from the wealth of knowledge and experiences in each region and from the Regional Fora for Sustainable Development convened by the United Nations Regional Commissions. The VNR preparation processes greatly benefit from the exchange of valuable lessons learned and peer review, opportunities for technical assistance, analysis of the means of implementation, and work on data and statistics at the regional level, which also contribute to the follow-up and review of the SDGs at the global level.
Complementary to the VNR process, Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and other sub-national follow-up and review processes are emerging as powerful mechanisms to promote the localization of the SDGs and improve the identification of gaps and priorities, leverage more diverse and comprehensive sources of data and analysis, and build partnerships for accelerated implementation of the national development plans. The VLRs and other sub-national processes can feed in the VNR process and support policy coherence and improved accountability at various levels of government, and contribute to enhanced transparency, stronger public ownership, and sustained momentum for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. VLRs and sub-national processes can also promote further action geared at leaving no one behind (LNOB) and tackling persistent inequalities. Considering the increased relevance of the review processes at the local and subnational levels, the Regional Commissions have supported peer learning exchange in this area, including via the development of Voluntary Local Review Guidelines specific to their regions to assist local governments in the preparation of local reviews in line with the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review modalities, and dedicated peer-learning sessions on the localization of the 2030 Agenda and emerging practices from the region in the Community of Practice for VNR countries, among others.
Objectives
Following past editions of the VNR Labs organized by the Regional Commissions, the 2022 Lab will continue to build on lessons emanating from VNR preparation processes in the regions. In particular, the 2022 Lab will facilitate cross-regional learning of experiences on the integration of VLRs and other sub-national inputs in the VNR processes. It will demonstrate how comprehensive and systematic follow-up and reporting at the local and subnational levels can support policy coherence and effective national planning and reinforce the principle of LNOB. The lab will aim specifically at:
- sharing experiences of subnational and local level engagement in SDG follow-up and review through the preparation of VLRs and other mechanisms, showcasing how such engagement has led to increased collaboration and policy coherence and to strengthened VNRs;
- identifying lessons learned on the use of Voluntary Local Review Guidelines and their role in future VLRs and review cycles;
- presenting best practices on the territorialization of the 2030 Agenda from the respecting regions, including valuable lessons learned from the exchange between Governments within the Community of Practice for VNR countries;
- identifying examples of how the momentum for collaboration between the local and national levels of government was continued after the VNR and HLPF.
Representatives of VNR participating countries (first timers as well as returning VNR countries), regional organizations, and other stakeholders will be invited to exchange experiences and best practices. In doing so, they will illustrate how efforts to bring countries together at the regional level have been useful and continue to be relevant as we approach the mid-term review of the 2030 Agenda.
Agenda
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8:00 |
Opening remarks, by Ms. Rosa Malango, Director Regional Commissions New York Office, acting as Moderator.
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8:05 |
Interventions by selected speakers showcasing experiences from the regions:
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8:25 |
Discussion with participants (including round of comments by the Regional Commissions)
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8:45 |
Second round of comments/response by selected speakers.
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8:55 |
Concluding remarks by Moderator, Ms. Rosa Malango, Director RCNYO.
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