1. 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

2. 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 Agenda by demand of member States

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Thank you!