Implementing the SDGs: Strengthening the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

CDP Background Paper No. 56

By CDP Subgroup on voluntary national reviews

This paper presents an assessment of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) experience from 2018-2022 as an instrument of peer learning in the implementation of the UN 2030 agenda. It highlights the key findings of the annual studies by the CDP of the VNR reports submitted to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) from 2017 to 2021. The VNRs have been successful as a process that has fully engaged Member States. The substantive content of the reports and the review process could be strengthened by: providing more analytical rather than descriptive information; focusing on achievements, challenges, and lessons learned; reflecting on the challenges of the transformative ambition of the 2030 Agenda; and including civil society inputs and shadow reports in drafting reports or presenting shadow reports at national, regional and global meetings including the HLPF. Drawing on these observations as well as those of other analyses, the report recommends launching a new approach to the reports ? a VNR version 2.0. This is particularly urgent in view of the slow pace of progress and the Secretary General?s call to ?rescue the SDGs?.

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