Progressing National SDGs Implementation
An independent assessment of the voluntary national review reports submitted to the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2022
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A review of 2022 #VNR noted a typical level of references to including non-state actors in formal #SDGs governance. However, there seems to be a shift toward more technical working groups and less high-level interaction.
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The #VNR reports of 2022 included many references to the principle of Leaving No One Behind #LNOB. However, challenges remain in terms of data availability, the level of detail given, and adding LNOB to national plans.
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There are increasing challenges for civic freedoms, but #VNR reports continue to be largely silent on ongoing attacks against human rights defenders, journalists, and environmentalists
This seventh report in the series offers a review of the 44 VNR reports submitted to the HLPF in 2022, as well as an analysis of 21 VNR-related civil society reports. It presents key findings, good practice case studies, emerging best practices and recommendations for action. In particular, the report notes that VNR reports in 2022:
- continue to be largely silent on shrinking civic space, including in relation to the ongoing attacks against human rights defenders, journalists and environmentalists in many countries
- included high-level references to the Leave No One Behind principle, but challenges remain in terms of data availability and on the incorporation of the principle in national policies and plans
- show some improvement in including information on other 2030 Agenda key principles—mainly on human rights—though reporting on universality, planetary boundaries, and intergenerational responsibility is still uneven
- provide fewer examples than previous years on contributions to SDGs implementation by non-state actors
The 2030 Agenda, with the SDGs at its heart, provides a global roadmap toward building a better future, while achieving equality and sustainability for all. As this report shows, it is more important than ever that Heads of State and Government meet the commitments of the Decade of Action and Delivery to realize the 2030 Agenda and all SDGs while ensuring no one is left behind.
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