Since 2019, ESCWA, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, and the League of Arab States, have been organizing a series of regional workshops to support Arab States in conducting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). They come within the framework of the initiative on Voluntary Reporting on the 2030 Agenda.
The workshops provide a space for knowledge exchange and peer learning on VNRs in the Arab region. They target government officials in Arab countries involved in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda, particularly members of the VNR teams, as well as representatives of other stakeholder groups and experts.
Each workshop has a thematic focus area that responds to the needs and priorities of the region.
1st regional VNR workshop (Beirut, 10-11 October 2019) Whole of government approach, leaving no one behind and gender equality, whole of society approach, and accelerating implementation post-VNR.
2nd regional VNR workshop (Cairo, 26-27 February 2020) Strengthening partnerships and enhancing stakeholder engagement in the VNR process.
3rd regional VNR workshop (Online, 27-28 October 2020) VNRs in the context of COVID-19 and the post-VNR phase: implementation of VNR recommendations and integration in national development plans.
4th regional VNR workshop (Online, 9-10 March 2021) VNRs and leaving no one behind, VNRs in the context of instability, and data for the 2030 Agenda and the VNRs.
5th regional VNR workshop (Online, 20-21 October 2021) Enhancing SDG data via reporting platforms and coordination frameworks, evaluation for more effective VNRs, and the role of national Supreme Audit Institutions during and post-VNRs.
6th regional VNR workshop (Online, 22-23 February 2022) Experiences in mainstreaming gender, the role of women’s machineries, and hands-on training on how to mainstream gender in the VNR.
7th regional VNR workshop (Beirut, 18-19 October 2022) The private sector as a development partner in the implementation and follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda, the importance of shared value, and engaging businesses in the VNR process.
8th regional VNR workshop (Beirut, 17 March 2023) Interlinkages between migration and the sustainable development goals and practical guidance on integrating migration in the VNR.
9th regional VNR workshop (Cairo, 2-3 October 2023) The role of technology as a means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its transformative opportunities, as well as the results of the 2023 SDG Summit and the implications for VNRs post-Summit.
10th regional VNR workshop (Beirut, 4 March 2024) Financing sustainable development in the Arab region.
Beirut, Lebanon
