A series of VNR Labs were convened on the margins of the 2021 HLPF, which provided an informal platform for experience sharing and reflection on the Voluntary National Review process. As always, the Labs were held under the Chatham House rule and were open to Member States, the UN system and representatives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders.
Six years into implementing the 2030 Agenda, with over one hundred Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented, there is a wealth of experience, innovation and engagement to be shared. This VNR Lab will provide a platform for an interactive conversation among government officials and civil society organizations and networks, as well as a handful of UN officials, outside experts and previous VNR countries, around best practices and innovative ideas that have been used to engage stakeholders in the reporting and implementation of the SDGs. Organized by the UN Foundation.
More information: https://forms.gle/7sgUw8m9GR9NfWba7
Capacity to leverage synergies and mitigate trade-offs between the SDGs has an impact on goals’ progress. How can a systemic approach improve reporting and help to accelerate action on the SDGs? What are the opportunities and challenges in adopting a systemic perspective in practice? This session will provide participants with an overview of systemic approaches to dealing with SDG interactions and support reporting. A panel will discuss experiences in practice by reflecting on the application of SDG Synergies in different geographies. Organized by DESA and the Stockholm Environment Institute.
More information: https://www.sei.org/events/vnr-lab-at-the-high-level-political-forum-2021/
This lab will examine progress on how youth involvement in sport can contribute to promoting inclusive sustainable development and peace and provide a platform for Members States, and other national and regional stakeholders, to share their experiences - both successes and challenges – about supporting youth empowerment through sport programmes. It will also explore the most appropriate strategies to effectively build young people’s positive life skills and inclusive social values through sport and towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by providing youth a platform to highlight how they view sport as an enabling mechanism to bring about positive social change. Finally, it will assess any barriers faced by Member States in successfully reaching youth in their communities and provide recommendations to overcome these challenges. Organized by the Division for Inclusive Social Development, DESA.
More information: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2021/06/youth-sport-2030agenda/
The VNR lab will provide a platform for countries to share their experiences—both successes and challenges—in planning and preparing an evidence-based and data-driven VNR in the time of COVID-19. Data and statistics are guiding countries’ effort in combating the virus, saving lives and recovering better. Over the last year, countries have faced unprecedented disruptions in statistical operations and a spike in demand for data to monitor and mitigate the effects of the global pandemic. This lab will provide an opportunity for countries to share their experiences on how to adapt quickly to the challenges and provide the needed data in COVID-19 response. It will also discuss new partnerships, data innovations and new measures introduced which have profoundly changed the statistical production process in many countries. The VNR lab will identify challenges, opportunities and possible recommendations that countries can use going forward in order to keep data at the center of building back and recovering better.
More information: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/meetings/vnr-lab-8jul2021/
The objectives of the VNR Lab on Migration, which is being organized in collaboration with the Group of Friends on migration, are to:
More information: https://migrationnetwork.un.org/events/vnr-lab-migration
The VNR Lab will discuss lessons learned and best practices emerging from the regions in relation to inclusiveness and innovation in the VNR process, in particular building on the experience of second and third generation of VNRs. Organized by the Regional Commissions New York Office (RNCYO).
More information: http://www.regionalcommissions.org/2021vnr/
On the basis of VNR reports and archived video of VNR presentations, a brief overview of key elements of a “successful” VNR process will be presented. The Lab will also review analysis of how key components of the VNRs, such as leave no one behind, have been covered in the VNRs so far. Organized by the Office for Intergovernmental Support and Coordination and the Economic Analysis and Policy Division, DESA.
Concept Note: /sites/default/files/migrated/documents/279692021_VNR_Lab_7_Concept_Note.pdf
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/ULCmBMcUC9
In recent years, the Voluntary Local Reviews, modelled after the VNRs and conducted by cities and regions, have picked up considerable momentum. This Lab will showcase how 2021 VNR countries have used these VLRs in their own review process. It will also reflect how these reviews at two levels can best support each other and SDG implementation at large. Organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, DESA, together with the Regional Commissions.
More information forthcoming: https://sdgs.un.org/events/vnr-lab-2021-enhancing-dialogue-between-voluntary-national-reviews-vnrs-and-voluntary-local
Please note that the VNR Lab 9 will be translated In English / En Français / En Español.
This VNR-Lab will debate the importance and various forms of national sustainable development policy cycles, including national strategies, indicator and prioritization processes, as well as Voluntary National Reviews and peer review processes. If in accordance, they provide for solid policy cycles at national level, including input and review from the international level. A number of national multi-stakeholder advisory bodies will provide insights on how they work in trustworthy and reciprocal relationships with their governments to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. The event will shed light on the variety of existing multi-stakeholder platforms and their concrete role in the local implementation of the SDGs, while focusing on their role as facilitators of consensual and inclusive advice on practical and socially acceptable policy pathways. Organized by the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) and DESA.
Concept Note: /sites/default/files/migrated/documents/28293VNR_Lab_9_Concept_Note.pdf
Registration: Link
The Lab will provide a platform for Governments and partners to share approaches that can help bring a focus on children’s rights, data and evidence, and children’s voices into VNRs. The Lab will present evidence-based perspectives from Governments, the United Nations system, civil society and youth advocates on how investing in integrated social services for children built on a solid foundation of social protection will support sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerates progress towards the SDGs. Organized by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and UNICEF.
More information: https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/node/4066
Registration: https://unicef.zoom.us/j/93066227759
This Lab will review how VNR countries are progressively integrating the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national development plans and strategies. The 2019 SDG Summit called on countries to “mainstream the 2030 Agenda into our national planning instruments, policies, strategies and financial frameworks”. The voluntary national reviews (VNRs) and other sources provide examples of approaches taken by countries to integrate the 2030 agenda into national plans and strategies. Organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, DESA.
More information: Link
Success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and building back better depends on mobilizing and effectively coordinating efforts of multiple policy sectors and all levels of government. This VNR lab will provide a platform for governments to share experiences in tackling COVID-19. Countries will be invited in particular to consider the challenges and opportunities that the pandemic has presented in terms of multi-level governance and integrated policymaking. It will also consider policy actions that can strengthen effective governance for sustainable development.
Registration (to receive meeting link): https://forms.office.com/r/k3yMbyBbfy
Concept note: Link
More information: Link
This lab will focus on the VNR preparation process in Uruguay, highlighting the methodology and principles of the country’s VNR report, preparation process and follow-up actions. The VNR lab could also reflect on the impact on COVID-19 on the VNR preparations and SDG implementation.
Concept Note: Link
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/xUf1MVfbCR”
The objective of this VNR Lab is to promote an open conversation and exchange between VNR countries, stakeholders and partners on experiences and lessons learned on the engagement of stakeholders from different sectors in the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews and supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially considering the impacts and adjustments needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VNR Lab will identify challenges and opportunities and will discuss recommendations to strengthen and facilitate meaningful engagement of stakeholders that can lead towards and contribute to continuous and structured processes through all points of the SDG policy cycle. Organized by Division for Sustainable Development Goals, DESA and Partners for Review, Germany.
More information: Link
Only nine years remain to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and greater efforts are needed to diagnose the root causes of structural gender inequality, identify game-changers and spur further commitments. New gender indices produced by UN Women and UNDP provide powerful tools for this pursuit. Together, they illustrate a country’s status in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. The dimensions and indicators selected for the indices are universally relevant and complement the policy efforts of the 2030 Agenda. This lab will highlight some of the findings from this work and its relevance for the preparation of VNRs, particularly in their assessment of the different forms of discrimination that women and girls face and its impact on society and on accelerating progress in achieving the SDGs.
More information: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/events/2021/07/event-path-to-equal-new-indices-on-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment
Registration (to receive meeting link): https://unwomen.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QHhVS8-CQ_aRdhEzNOGXxw
Concept Note: /sites/default/files/migrated/documents/281672021_VNR_Lab_14_Concept_Note.pdf
This lab will focus on the VNR preparation process in Tunisia, highlighting the methodology and principles of the country’s VNR report, preparation process and follow-up actions. The VNR lab could also reflect on the impact on COVID-19 on the VNR preparations and SDG implementation.
Concept Note: /sites/default/files/migrated/documents/28245VNR_Lab16_Concept_Note.pdf
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/a5WMZPqiXb
This lab will focus on the VNR preparation process in Japan, highlighting the methodology and principles of the country’s VNR report, preparation process and follow-up actions. The VNR lab could also reflect on the impact on COVID-19 on the VNR preparations and SDG implementation.
Concept Note: Link
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/bKgy4pYS0S
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