The voluntary national review (VNR) is a process through which countries assess and present national progress made in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, the 2030 Agenda encourages member States to "conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven".
Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are reports that countries use to share their progress and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda. These reviews support global assessments by the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York each July. While most Southeast Asian countries have completed two VNRs, others are showing interest in similar reporting.
VNRs serve several purposes. They help governments improve policies and engage various stakeholders to accelerate SDG implementation. Beyond reporting, they foster open and transparent collaboration, raise public awareness, and facilitate resource access. For the subregion's four least developed countries, the Doha Programme of Action for 2022-2031 offers a framework to address their unique challenges and promote sustainable development Doha Programme of Action for the Decade 2022-2031. VNRs can contribute to reviewing this plan by linking SDGs and DPoA targets and providing crucial data.
Objectives of the VNR Clinic: The VNR Clinic's primary objectives are as follows:
- Create a platform for discussing VNR preparation among countries.
- Highlight the synergy between the 2030 Agenda and the Doha Plan of Action and identify shared tools for achieving both.
- Enhance capacity-building and peer learning by offering guidance on VNR preparation.
- Present ESCAP's support and tools for VNR preparation and the graduation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
- Promote collaboration among countries in South-South cooperation for VNRs and SDG acceleration.
