Voluntary National Reviews

As the review process is voluntary, each government can choose if, when and how many times they wish to report. The voluntary process is open to all countries and encouraged by each ECOSOC President, who annually writes to all Member States to invite them to volunteer. Countries intending to take part officially notify the President’s office of their intention. The list of VNR countries is established on a first come, first served basis, until the maximum number – decided by the President of ECOSOC – is reached.

Although a great number of countries have already volunteered to present a VNR, some countries are still reluctant to commit. CSOs have a role to play in pushing for a national VNR process. If your country has not yet engaged, your first step will be to encourage your government to participate.

On the other hand, if your country has already conducted such a review, you can encourage it to report again. The 2030 Agenda does not stipulate how often VNRs should be carried out so in theory a country could report on an annual basis. Togo, for example, has reported a number of times. Use the following checklist as a guide for calling on your government to conduct a voluntary national review.

Civil society engagement in the VNR process is most important at the national level. One of the founding principles of the 2030 Agenda is the requirement for processes to be participatory and inclusive. In practice, this means that all stakeholders have a place in the process. Participation and consultation builds ownership of the 2030 Agenda, which supports a whole-ofsociety approach to the implementation of the SDGs.

Countries are encouraged to initiate a national preparatory process. As well as appointing a focal point, this may include some of the following elements:

A coordination structure (responsible government entity for the VNR)

Resource allocation (to cover cost of writing the review, stakeholder meetings, travel for officials, etc.)

Stakeholder engagement plans such as national consultations

Data collection

Definition of the scope/content of the VNR, time allocation, availability of existing reports to draw on etc.

Joining forces with other civil society organizations working on SDG implementation to build strong coalitions will help to deliver unified messages and to push for engagement opportunities. In some countries this type of coalition will already exist, in which case the VNR process can strengthen the collaboration. For best results, find out which organisations are already working on the process and which ones are missing and work together for a coordinated approach.

Once you have connected with partners, it is time to work together to define your key messages and plan how you will make your position/requests known. Your first and foremost goal is to approach your government for a meeting but you can also raise awareness through social networks, email lists and the media. Prepare for national consultations together, share information, participate and ensure follow up. Conduct CSO pre-meetings and/or participate in related CSO coalition meetings to align positions. Plan when you will engage and how. Craft your advocacy messages by defining your requests and priorities and submitting them in writing. You may consider developing a shadow or parallel report.

Template letter to request a meeting with government

H.E. X.Y.

Minister of (FULL TITLE OF THE MINISTRY, FOR EXAMPLE, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)

DATE

EXCELLENCY OR HONORABLE MINISTER,

On behalf of <<the chair/or representatives of the CSO’s name/organization’s name>>, I (or we) am (are) requesting a meeting with your Excellency to discuss how to realize/achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for civil society, how this should be reflected upon in the upcoming Voluntary National Review to be presented at the High-level Political Forum of <<year>>. We would like to congratulate your Excellency and the government of <<country>> for volunteering to report at the High-level Political Forum. We the <<name of the CSO>> are ready to engage with your Excellency and the government to ensure that the perspectives of civil society are reflected upon during the review process at national, regional and global levels.

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the objective to bring a fundamental change to all people and the planet. Governments, including <<country>>, committed to building a better future, ending poverty, reducing inequalities, and saving the planet.

(Suggestion: Provide a short description of your organization and your key advocacy requests.)

Our representative <<name of representative>> will be in contact with you shortly to confirm the receipt of this letter and to discuss the possibility of scheduling a convenient meeting time. Thank you in advance for your consideration and we look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

SIGNATURE

Name, title, organization

One of the most important opportunities to engage in the VNR process will be through the national consultations organised by your government. National consultations vary considerably. Some countries hold several face-to-face meetings between the government and CSOs, while others organize thematic clusters, conduct consultations online or hold one large consultation. Often, CSOs are invited to make submissions, usually to a word limit. After the consultation takes place, you will need to keep track of follow-up opportunities, which could include a validation meeting. Keep in mind there might be deadlines with a quick turn around so be sure to manage expectations.

How to take part in national consultations:

Take part in all consultations related to the SDGs and the VNR process.

Use social media to raise awareness of your messages.

Take an active role and make your government fully accountable.

Be constructive, offer solutions, and offer to work together.

Emphasize that it is beneficial for your government to work with civil society, as a valuable partner for sharing data, expertise and knowledge.

Considering calling for:

a second VNR review date

a validation meeting in which stakeholders review and comment on the report

inclusion of parliament in the VNR process (see Together 2030’s civil society handbook on engaging parliament on the SDGs)

inclusion of CSOs in the official delegation at the HLPF and allocation of speaking opportunity during the official presentation.

Make sure the conversation is brought to the sub-national level.

Countries are encouraged to submit a short report in the run up to the HLPF, usually by mid-May. The full report is due prior to the HLPF but there is no set deadline. Member States are invited to address all SDGs and have the discretion to showcase topics of their choice in their report. These reports should be based on substantial actions taken by the national government. They are not about describing existing or planned policies, but rather analysing progress and challenges at national and sub-national levels. They must be evidence based. Reports are made publicly available on the HLPF website.

Although, there is no official mechanism that allows for the submission of parallel CSO reports at the HLPF, CSOs in several countries have considered it strategic to develop a parallel or spotlight report in response to their government’s VNR report.

TOOL 5.1

United Nations voluntary common reporting guidelines

To support the reporting process, the United Nations Secretary-General was requested to provide a set of voluntary common reporting guidelines for VNRs, which were published in January 2016. These were updated in January 2018 to reflect lessons learned from the previous two years. The guidelines provide a framework for certain common elements within reviews, while allowing for flexibility so countries can adapt to their own circumstances. The guidelines serve to promote consistency between reviews and comparability over time. However, in line with the voluntary nature of the VNRs, it is up to countries to decide how to carry out their reviews, in accordance with their national contexts and circumstances.

Voluntary common reporting guidelines for voluntary national reviews at the high-level political forum for sustainable development (HLPF)

Handbook for the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews produced by the UN Division of Sustainable Development for Economic and Social Affairs (October 2018).

2016 and 2017 VNR synthesis reports provide a snapshot of general characteristics of the VNRs for that year and contain additional examples of good practices and lessons learned for countries conducting VNRs.

TOOL 5.2

Questions for analysing the VNR report

Has the country conducted a gap analysis of the SDGs and its national frameworks?

To what extent can the implementation of the SDGs be advanced through existing plans and strategies?

Do they need to be updated or revised to implement the SDGs?

How have the SDGs been aligned with national policy frameworks?

What has been done to integrate the SDGs into legislation, policies, plans and programmes?

What are the main challenges and difficulties that the country faces in implementing the SDGs?

What actions have been undertaken by sub-national and local government to implement the SDGs?

What partnerships, including with the private sector, have been put in place for implementation of the SDGs? Consider examples that could be showcased as good practices.

Source: Handbook for the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews produced by the UN Division of Sustainable Development for Economic and Social Affairs.

Countries present their VNR reports in a short oral statement during the Ministerial Week at the HLPF. The presentation usually highlights key messages from the review and touches on critical issues in the implementation and is usually given by a minister or a senior official.

Civil society engagement with the High-level Political Forum is facilitated through the Major Group and other Stakeholder (MGoS) coordination mechanism. The MGoS mechanism has the opportunity to present joint statements and is usually allowed to present a limited set of questions to the Member States during their VNR presentations. Membership in the MGoS HLPF coordination mechanism is open to all representatives of nine stakeholder groups, known as Major Groups, as well as other relevant stakeholders.

Governments can provide space in their official presentations for civil society. A government’s collaboration with CSOs on joint messages can strengthen relationships and contribute to thoughtful leadership and profile-building.

TOOL 6

How to engage at the HLPF

You can find out when your country will report on the sustainable development website. The actual VNR presentations are brief and provide only limited opportunities for CSOs to take part. The main opportunities to input include:

Join the MGoS Coordination Mechanism and look out for messages on the VNRs or engage through

Together 2030 by becoming a member of the initiative.

Contribute to MGoS joint statement. Prior to the HLPF, a questionnaire is sent out through the HLPF

Coordination Mechanism email list calling for contributions from Major Groups and other Stakeholders.

Volunteer to be a part of the drafting team and volunteer or support someone to deliver the statement. The drafting group chooses presenters.

If you are attending the HLPF in person, you have the following additional chances to connect with your government:

Ask for a bilateral meeting with your government during HLPF

Attend side events organized or co-organized by your government

Canvass governments to hold a reception with national CSOs

The progress of the implementation of the SDGs should be reviewed on a regular basis. It is essential that civil society has the opportunity to discuss next steps and countries are expected to conduct debriefings or follow up on the global discussions at the national and sub-national levels. It is important that VNRs are forward looking and should conclude with a clear outline of the followup process including a date for the next VNR.

This dialogue between civil society and government is an opportunity to evaluate and address gaps, challenges, and achievements. To feed into this dialogue, you can develop a CSO evaluation of the VNR process using the VNR evaluation checklist below. Consider what opportunities there are for learning and how to address any challenges and gaps the VNR highlighted. Develop recommendations to share with the government. Remain positive and offer pragmatic, constructive solutions to develop a strong partnership with your government.

If your country does not indicate a follow-up process, call for a dialogue. While any organisation can request this, it is better if this comes from a coordinated CSO coalition.

TOOL 7.1

2030 Agenda follow up and review principles

VNRs should:

Be voluntary and country-led, considering national contexts

Track progress on all 17-SDGs implementation and the means of implementation

Maintain a longer-term direction and inform government policy, through identifying achievements, challenges, gaps and critical success factors

Encourage open, inclusive, participatory and transparent reporting for all relevant stakeholders

Be people-centred, gender-sensitive, respect human rights and particularly focus on the poorest, most vulnerable and those furthest behind

Build on existing platforms and processes, where these exist

Evolve over time incorporating emerging issues as the arise

Be rigorous and evidence-based, informed by disaggregated country data

TOOL 7.2

Questions for evaluating the VNR process

\A good VNR is inclusive, participatory, transparent, evidence-based, and focuses both on quantitative and qualitative reporting. Use the following checklist to analyse your country’s VNR process and draw up recommendations.

(a) VNR presentations at the HLPF should clearly outline how inclusive the national process leading up to the VNR has been at country level, by responding to the following questions:

Was there a multi-layered review system focusing on whether national plans match the global ambition, the gaps, opportunities and commitments to action?

Were civil society and other stakeholders included in all phases of the review cycle, including for VNRs, from planning at the national level to the presentation at the HLPF and at national debriefing and planning after the HLPF?

Was there a clear, open, accessible and inclusive process to prepare the VNR established at national level and was information about how stakeholders could participate extensively exchanged? What was the timeline and was it publicly shared?

Were there targeted efforts made by the government to reach marginalized groups and those at risk of being left behind?

Were there online consultations organized as well as face-to-face discussions at the national level where civil society and stakeholders could directly bring their perspectives to the report preparation?

Did the government establish awareness-raising and public outreach, making use of government communication services, social media?

Did the government provide opportunities for stakeholders to comment and to integrate comments from all national actors and stakeholders?

Were stakeholder representatives part of the official country delegation to the HLPF; and did they get to present?

Will governments organize a debriefing at the national level to review the process and inputs received and plan next steps in addressing main challenges after the HLPF review?

(b) VNR presentations should directly address comprehensive, coherent implementation of the 2030 Agenda, that reflects the global ambition including responding to the following questions:

Are internal synergies being created?

Is policymaking coherent?

How are silos being avoided?

Are there multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms in place for planning, implementation and accountability of the SDGs?

Did civil society and other stakeholders get to ask a set of questions after the VNR presentation?

(c) The accountability framework surrounding VNRs should be progressively strengthened

Are governance arrangements for national SDG accountability detailed by countries volunteering for national reviews?

Is a clear accountability cycle presented, including how outcomes from the HLPF will be brought back to the national level?