ABSTRACT
Voluntary National Reviews are a core element of the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) follow-up and review process. Every year, about 30 to 40 countries submit Voluntary National Reviews to the High-level Political Forum and make short presentations to facilitate mutual learning. Countries report their progress on SDG implementation including related institutional processes, policies, challenges, specific topics such as integrated approaches to implementation, and themes such as ‘leave no one behind’. Voluntary National Reviews’ effectiveness in promoting implementation is mixed. They reflect broad engagement with the SDGs, facilitate the overall follow-up and review of SDG implementation, promote the integration of the SDGs in national development plans and lead to many constructive initiatives. However, Voluntary National Reviews have not effectively promoted mutual learning and do not show that countries are taking or planning significant actions for transformative change. The scientific community and non-governmental organizations should strengthen the monitoring of Voluntary National Reviews by examining SDG policies and budgets more intensively.
