9th Workshop on Voluntary National Reviews

The session reviewed the experiences of 2023 VNR countries from the Arab region highlighting: (a) the general framework for conducting the VNR, including the methodology and institutional structure, (b) challenges facing information collection and stakeholder engagement and solutions adopted, and (c) the VNR as a roadmap to accelerate action on the SDGs. Arab countries planning to conduct a VNR in 2024 had the opportunity to reflect on their preparations including the action plan, information collection mechanism, engaging government/non-government stakeholders, linkages between the new VNR and previous edition in addition to utilizing the VNR to accelerate work on the SDGs.

The peer exchange continued, informed by a presentation of the Compendium of Good VNR Practices in Arab Countries that ESCWA is currently preparing, as well as a reflection on the first twinning exercise facilitated by ESCWA during the 2023 cycle. Discussion focused on opportunities for bilateral exchanges of experiences, or twinning, during the 2024 cycle.

This session set the stage for the workshop’s thematic focus. It presented an overview of technology as means of accelerating SDG implementation, with particular focus on opportunities for the region and policies for overcoming challenges facing technology transfer, development and financing. The session included examples on digital technologies such as those use for data systems and statistics as well as other technologies such as green technologies including renewable energy.

The session started with a recap of the 2023 HLPF and focused on the outcomes of the 2023 SDG Summit including the political declaration, commitments of government and stakeholders, and the UN’s high impact initiatives. It highlighted implications for the remaining seven years, including on the follow-up and review process and future VNRs as mirrors of national SDG commitments. Plans regarding upcoming global milestones, notably the 2024 Summit of the Future, was also highlighted. The session featured country commitments submitted to the 2023 SDG Summit covering the motivation behind the commitment, the national mechanism to develop it, plans for fulfilling it going forward, and implications on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.

The session focused on integrating technology in the VNR report, including its contribution to achieving the SDGs and reporting on technology-related SDG indicators. It will highlighted the role of technology stakeholders and ways to engage them in the VNR process.

Based on presentations and discussions in the previous sessions, participants discussed concrete measures they could take for better reflecting the role of technology in accelerating the SDGs and engaging technology stakeholders in their next VNR.