UK Government commit to reporting on SDGs in 2019
The UK Government intends to share progress on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2019.
Lord Bates wrote to Maria Miller MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee and in the letter, he confirmed that the Department of International Development (DFID) intends to submit a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2019 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to outline its intended approach for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs are a universal framework to end poverty and protect the planet. They provide us with a new social contract between Government and citizens, an opportunity to address systemic problems in a coherent way, and the chance to create a culture of collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the UK.
Northern Ireland will need to formalise a way of working with the UK government considering its recent announcement and Sustainable NI will continue work closely with DAERA and its counterparts in the UK to find ways to work together to influence the implementation of the SDGs in the UK and Northern Ireland.
What is the High Level Political Forum?
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal agenda adopted by all countries at the United Nations in 2015. The High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the global forum where countries come together to share their experiences, and learn about the latest developments and best practice. Each year a group of approximately 40 countries take turns in presenting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) in the Forum. To date 67 country reviews have been presented and another 48 are due to do so in 2018.
The commitment from Government to present its VNR will be an opportunity to build on the good will and engagement of stakeholders across the country to deliver a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder assessment of progress.