The GCNA welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement this week at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) – the central platform for follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – that it will present its first Voluntary National Review at the 2018 HLPF. The GCNA looks forward to supporting engagement with business during the VNR process over the coming year.

As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (which includes the SDGs) encourages governments to “conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven”.

These Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are expected to serve as the basis for regular reviews by the HLPF, and also aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences with a view to accelerating implementation of the agenda.

VNRs also seek to strengthen government policies and institutions, and mobilise multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for SDGs implementation. Governments are encouraged to involve stakeholders, including business, in their VNR processes.

In 2016, 22 countries submitted VNRs, and 43 VNRs were submitted in 2017. (These can be found here.)

The GCNA is looking forward to supporting the Australian Government’s engagement with business during the VNR process over the coming year.

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