The world is gearing up for the SDG Summit to take stock of progress at the mid-way point towards 2030 and chart the bold innovations and breakthroughs needed to turn the tide and kickstart a new drive for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) remain critical country-led instruments for tracking progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda at the national level. The VNRs facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the SDG implementation. The VNRs also seek to strengthen policies and institutions and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Goals.
Technology and innovations are critical enablers for most – if not all – of the SDGs and key ingredients for the renewed drive to rescue the SDGs in the remainder seven years to 2030.
Objectives
Following past editions of the VNR Labs organized by the Regional Commissions, the 2023 Lab will continue to build on lessons emanating from VNR preparation processes in the regions. In particular, the 2023 Lab is organized with the objective of affording a space for VNR countries and stakeholders to exchange on their experiences of the VNR preparation processes and facilitating cross-regional learning.
The VNR Lab seeks to demonstrate how innovations and application of new/ emerging technologies supports participatory follow-up and review processes at the national and local levels, reinforce the principle of LNOB, evidence-based tracking of progress and policymaking.
Specifically, the Lab will facilitate:
- showcasing innovations including how the use of emerging technologies has led to better SDG data, improved collaboration, impactful SDG action and policy coherence and to strengthened VNRs overall;
- identifying examples of innovations in the conduct of VNRs from planning to presentation at the HLPF to post-HLPF follow-up, including fostering collaborations among various levels of government.
The Lab will provide an informal platform for experience sharing and reflection on the Voluntary National Review process. The Labs are held under the Chatham House rules and are open to Member States, the UN system and representatives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders attending the 2023 HLPF.
Representatives of VNR participating countries, regional organizations and other stakeholders will be invited to exchange experiences and best practices to illustrate how efforts to bring countries together at the regional level have been useful and continue to be relevant as we approached the midpoint assessment of the SDGs at the SDG Summit in September.
Agenda
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8:00 |
Opening remarks, by Ms. Yera Ortiz De Urbina, Deputy Director Regional Commissions New York Office, acting as moderator |
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8:05 |
Interventions by selected speakers showcasing experiences from the five regions (forthcoming) |
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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. |