With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, member states committed to engage in systematic follow-up and review (FUR) of the 2030 Agenda through a robust, voluntary, effective, participatory, transparent and integrated framework. Out of adopted FUR mechanisms, the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are a key national mechanism that allows countries to review the progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda by monitoring progress in SDGs, targets and indicators. It also addresses the principles of the 2030 Agenda, such as the integrated approach to development, the rights-based approach, the gender dimension, and leaving no one behind.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Since 2016, 142 States have submitted their VNR reports to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), and 49 countries are expected to prepare a VNR in 2020, many for the second or third time. To date, 16 countries from the Arab region have prepared and submitted their VNR report, including two second timers.

In view of the importance of the regional dimension, in response to the request of Arab States to provide space for dialogue, knowledge sharing and peer learning on the subject of the VNRs, and building on the outcomes of the first VNR workshop, the second Workshop on the Voluntary National Reviews in the Arab Region will be organized jointly by ESCWA, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the League of Arab States.

For further details, please refer to the information note.