VNR lab reviews progress towards sustainable development goals

Abstract

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its sister regional commissions on Thursday hosted a Regional Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) Lab on the margins of the ongoing high level political forum (HLPF) on sustainable development. The Lab was held on the theme; “From presentation to implementation: Regional support to the follow-up on the VNR process.” The VNR featured a panel of experts from each of the regions and an interactive discussion with the participants, including representatives of member States, regional organizations, UN agencies and representatives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders. The ECA is developing a strategic plan to support VNRs. Mr. Chinganya pointed out that the regional forum on sustainable development was providing a platform for peer learning and exchange. The meetings recognized the important role of the regional level in supporting countries to conduct and follow-up on VNRs. The regional level plays an important role of providing platforms for peer learning on VNRs and implementation of the SDGs; expanding multi-stakeholder dialogue and motivating acceleration of action; and serving as think tanks and centres of diverse technical expertise, integration of the social, economic and environment dimensions and as a vehicle for addressing shared and cross-boundary challenges including through south-south cooperation.