The Webinar
A Peer-Exchange Webinar on Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by the economies participating in the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) will take place on Friday April 19, 2024.
This Webinar, initiated by Greece and organised with the support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), will be the first such peer-learning exercise. It aims to focus on sharing experiences in designing administrative structures and coordination bodies in SDG-related strategy making and VNR preparation. The event will enable participants from South East Europe (SEE) to discuss their experiences, share best practices, and address challenges encountered during the VNR preparation, in order to explore joint solutions that could be applicable at the regional level.
Background
The UN 2030 Agenda is already being pursued by the economies of South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) by integrating the SDGs into their policies, legislation and initiatives. The South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy aims to promote and advance the implementation of 2030 Agenda for UN Sustainable Development Goals within the SEE region across the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.
Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are crucial mechanisms through which economies present their progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the United Nations.
In line with the 2030 Agenda encouragement, SEECP participants have conducted their Voluntary National Reviews on the implementation of 2030 Agenda for UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These Reviews serve as a basis for the regular reviews by the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) meeting under the auspices of Economic and Social Council (EOCOSOC).
Participation
The webinar is intended for senior-level SEE government representatives who are directly involved in the preparation of VNRs and implementation of SEE2030 Strategy. Given that the European Union submitted its first-ever regional VNR at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum last year, and due to the importance of displaying how EU policies align with UN 2030 Agenda and SDGs, representatives of the European Commission responsible for preparing the EU’s VNR will also be invited to the webinar. Any other relevant international, regional or economy-level stakeholders will be invited upon approval by SEE economies.