The Global Forum for National SDG Advisory Bodies was present at the VNR knowledge exchange meeting organized by UN DESA and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 November 2019 in Oslo.
The Global Forum was one of the platforms, tools and methodologies presented in 2 minutes “pitches” to Member States and then discussed about in-depth in breakout groups.
The objective of the events was to create an interactive space for UN entities, international organizations and stakeholders to showcase tools, methodologies and approaches that could support VNR countries and processes in implementing the 2030 Agenda, and to facilitate knowledge exchange and networking between VNR countries and partners in key themes of the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Global Forum was represented at this event by Ruben Zondervan, executive director, Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future.
The VNR process, a highly recognized HLPF exercise, is increasingly featuring whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. Constructive multi-stakeholder engagement through existing or new SDG advisory bodies in the VNR process can strengthen such approaches and the quality of the VNRs. The Global Forum, launched at the 2019 HLPF, aims to help strengthen national councils and similar multi-stakeholder bodies where they exist, and – with resources such as twinning and mentoring with long-standing and enduring councils – encourage the formation of such bodies there they do not exist, but would be welcomed. Benefitting from the collective knowledge of the Global Forum membership, national governments, and their advisory bodies, it will help multi-stakeholder advisory bodies to be better positioned to deliver SDGs in general and VNRs in particular, through shared knowledge on national sustainable development policy-making, peer-exchange, shortcuts to understanding policy cycles, and institutional capacity building, and by elevating access to communities of practitioners.
