Chapter 2: The SDG reporting and localization process
Chapter 2: The SDG reporting and localization process
Why is reporting key? Lecture 20 min Slides 8-13
Reporting is essential to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in as much as it provides key information, feedback and learning mechanisms at every stage of implementation and also scope for inclusiveness and ensuring the broadest possible range of participation. Through reporting, all stakeholders (including LRGs) can learn from each other’s experiences while they share their own. In this way, they can contribute to the improvement of all these other stakeholders in a collaborative manner. Reporting by LRGs could help to strengthen coordinating bodies at the highest levels of government. Many reviews have also highlighted how coordinating matters with subnational tiers of government is essential for ensuring cohesive policy and the effective implementation of the SDGs. Reporting also serves as a way to be more transparent and accountable, both to the organism itself and to citizens and stakeholders. It also helps to foster ownership and improve coordination with other stakeholders who are also contributing to the 2030 Agenda. As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, the 2030 Agenda encourages member states to "conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven" (paragraph 79). These national reviews are expected to serve as the basis for the regular reviews by the high-level political forum (HLPF), meeting under the auspices of UN ECOSOC. As stipulated in paragraph 84 of the 2030 Agenda, regular reviews by the HLPF are to be voluntary, state-led, undertaken by both developed and developing countries, and involve multiple stakeholders. The aim of the VNR is to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The VNRs also seek to strengthen policies and government institutions and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships in order to facilitate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. VNR countries are expected to submit comprehensive written reports that are to be made available via the VNR database. In addition, each VNR country shall also provide main messages summarizing their key findings. These main messages shall also be posted via the VNR database. In 2019, 42 countries will conduct voluntary national reviews at the HLPF (see box with the list of countries below). 11
