Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Deferred
It has only been three years since the last Voluntary National Review.
Recommendation
It has only been three years since the last Voluntary National Review. However, a great deal has changed in this time both domestically and internationally. To maintain its reputation as a global leader in development, the Government must commit to completing a Voluntary National Review of progress on the SDGs. Strategically, given the stand-out importance of the forthcoming SDG Summit in 2023, the last opportunity for Heads of State to collectively assess and look to accelerate progress before the SDG 2030 deadline, the UK Government must present its Voluntary National Review in 2023. An honest appraisal of both the challenges and opportunities that the UK Government is facing in terms of delivering SDG progress, married with a renewed promise to leave no one behind and commitment to SDG 1.1, could transform both the UK’s standing on development and the global conversation around these priority agendas. In addition, the Government should review our predecessor Committee’s recommendations in relation to VNRs on engagement and timescales. (Paragraph 111) Extreme poverty and the Sustainable Development Goals 57
Government Response Summary
The government has made no decision about conducting a follow-up to the 2019 Voluntary National Review (VNR) but will "explore options" to demonstrate their commitment to the SDGs throughout 2023, recognising the importance of Agenda 2030. They will step up efforts to accelerate action on the SDGs.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The UK is committed to delivering progress on the SDGs, as outlined in both the International Development Strategy and the Integrated Review. In 2019, the UK produced its first Voluntary National Review (VNR). The VNR provided a comprehensive account of our progress towards the SDGs to date and highlighted areas of further work across all 17 Goals. No decision has been made about a follow-up to the 2019 VNR. Recognising the importance of 2023 for Agenda 2030, we will step up efforts to accelerate action on the SDGs and will continue to explore options to demonstrate our commitment to the SDGs throughout 2023.