The Regional Dimension of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda Workshop for the 2019 Voluntary National Reviews at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 16 – 17 October 2018, Geneva, Switzerland María Ortiz Pérez, Programme Officer, Office of the Executive Secretary Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

How do ReCs support their member States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda? Think tanks of the UN System in the 5 regions, that produce knowledge products in a wide range of economic and social issues Conveners of multi-stakeholder and intergovernmental platforms, such as the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development Providers of policy advice and technical cooperation by demand of member States Providers of capacity building services in areas related to the 2030 Agenda by demand of member States

How many countries have/are engaged in their VNR in the 2016-2019 HLPF cycle? 46 out of 56 countries 16 out of 22 countries 40 out of 53 countries 34 out of 54 countries 22 out of 33 countries VNR No VNR

Common challenges across regions VNR process to mainstream the SDGs into national plans/strategies; alignment of national priorities with the SDGs is a challenge Data gap remains the biggest challenge: lack of data disaggregation, needs for capacity building, need to develop enhanced methods for data collection, disaggregation, and use for establishing baseline monitoring and support policy development. VNR reporting is done where data is available Highlighting interlinkages between SDGs in the VNRs is still limited Monitoring and evaluation, and assessing policy impact mostly absent in VNRs The VNR cycle is too short Engaging multiple stakeholders to ensure national ownership and inclusive participation; boost private sector and civil society engagement in the implementation of the SDGs

2019 Regional Forums for Sustainable Development 21-22 March Geneva 16-18 April Beirut February, Tangier 27-29 March Bangkok 22-26 April Santiago de Chile

Final thoughts VNR is an opportunity for implementation of the 2030 Agenda and identify gaps and solutions. The VNR is a process rather than a final The VNR process can be a catalyst of collaboration between the government and other stakeholders The VNR process is also a vehicle for raising public awareness and engagement on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs High-level commitment and support are key for a successful VNR process SDG alignment is essential for VNR process to identify national priorities in a stakeholder-engaging process

Thank you!