2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

1. December 9th, 2020
2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National
Reviews (VNRs)

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5. 2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National
Reviews (VNRs)
5

6. 6
Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are part of the follow-up and review of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable
Development (HLPF) under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) encourages member states to conduct regular and comprehensive reviews
of progress at the national and sub-national levels. VNRs allow an exchange of
experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons learned, to accelerate the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The reports also aim to strengthen government
policies and institutions and provide a platform for multi-stakeholder and
partnerships for implementing the SDGs.
Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations released a Voluntary National Review synthesis report
(VNRs) that included a review of 47 countries for the year 2020. The reports highlight
the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and outline actions and visions around
the SDGs.
VNRs showed progress towards the SDGs as follows:
•SDG 1 (No poverty): Many countries have warned that progress towards SDG 1 may
stalled or reversed, due to the return of many segments to poverty as a result of the
economic fallout of the COVID-19.
•SDG 2 (Zero hunger): Few countries have reported full achievement of SDG 2, while
others have articulated their national strategies, plans and frameworks to support
agricultural production, reduce land degradation, conserve agricultural biodiversity.
© 2020 Sustainability Knowledge Group
2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

7. 7
•SDG 3 (Good health and well-being): Many countries have reported measures to
accelerate progress towards SDG 3. Some reports also mentioned a decrease in the
maternal mortality rate, and children aged five and under. Some countries have also
reported decreasing prevalence of tuberculosis and malaria, while non-
communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity continue to increase.
•SDG 4 (Quality education): Almost all countries focused on education, and SDG 4
report progressing this through policies that emphasized ensuring high-quality
education for all, especially for marginalized groups.
•SDG 5 (Gender equality): Progress towards SDG 5 has been slow and uneven. More
than half of the countries have reported on actions and measures taken to address
violence against women.
•SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation): COVID-19 has affected this goal positively by
increasing awareness of hygiene practices. Countries have reported improvements in
basic sanitation services and access to water resources. It also reported increasing
issues related to water scarcity due to the impacts of climate change.
•SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy): Many countries reported plans and strategies
to ensure universal access to energy, to promote the use of renewable energy
sources, and to eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
•SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth): Most countries reported on progress in
implementing SDG 8, through the use of artificial intelligence, digitization, digital
economy and ICT.
© 2020 Sustainability Knowledge Group
2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

8. 8
•SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure): Some countries have taken
institutional measures and policy innovations to upgrade, diversify, and green
infrastructure and industry. The report also focused on the need to improve health
infrastructure.
•SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities): All countries have addressed the problem of income
inequality. Measures to address inequality faced by migrants, persons with
disabilities, and gender inequality were also highlighted.
•SDG11 (Sustainable cities and communities): The reports focus on the importance of
the health and well-being of urban dwellers, and on measures to find practical
solutions to ensure housing quality and affordability.
•SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production): Many countries focused on
implementing the 10-year framework of sustainable consumption and production
programs.
•SDG 13 (Climate action): Several countries reported on mitigation actions and
commitments to climate, and their contributions under the Paris Agreement.
•SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Majority of countries, including many landlocked
countries reported progress towards SDG 14. It provided reports on its efforts to meet
the challenges and on the progress, it had made towards establishing a marine
reserve.
© 2020 Sustainability Knowledge Group
2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

9. 9
•SDG 15 (Life on land): Some countries showed progress towards increasing
protected areas, preserving wetlands, and positive changes in forest coverage.
However, reports indicated that many of the SDG 15 targets are still far from being
achieved.
•SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions): Efforts and measures to reduce all
forms of violence, strengthen the rule of law, and develop accountable and
transparent institutions were reported on.
•SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals): COVID-19 has hindered progress towards SDG
17 in many countries. The reports have highlighted the importance of a renewed
global partnership and the need for clear commitments towards the international
level.
last word
In over 100 pages, the fifth Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National Reviews
(VNRs) published in 2020 reflected a variety of good practices, lessons learned,
measures, and efforts in different countries that reported on the SDGs.
The commitment to the 2030 Agenda remains strong, and many countries have
clearly stated the effects of the pandemic on progress towards the SDGs and have
raised issues of financing. Countries affirmed that the multi-pronged response to
COVID-19 must include implementation of the 2030 Agenda. They also stressed the
urgent need to make redoubled efforts to rebuild better and to accelerate the
necessary actions to achieve the shared vision of the 2030 Agenda.
© 2020 Sustainability Knowledge Group
2020 Synthesis Report of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

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