Report of the Secretary-General on critical milestones towards coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review at the global level

The unedited version of the Report of the Secretary-General on critical milestones towards coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review at the global level is now available. It has been prepared in response to paragraph 90 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for consideration at the 70^th session of UN General Assembly, the explores how to put in place a “coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review system at the global level,” within the mandates outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Below is an account of the main suggestions for the work of the High-level Political Forum, drawing particular attention to those that relate to the Voluntary National Reviews, the role of the General Assembly, the ECOSOC and its functional commissions (which include the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Population and Development) and the Regional Commissions. Also included in detail are suggestions that relate to the work of Major Groups and other Stakeholders.

I Introduction

Member States called for “a robust, voluntary, effective, participatory, transparent, and integrated follow-up and review of progress” for the implementation of the SDGs and a framework that carries forward “the spirit of partnership and the enthusiastic civil society and business sector engagement.” This report addresses “the organizational arrangements for state-led reviews at the HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC…”, together with guidance on” annual themes, on a sequence of thematic reviews, and on options for periodic reviews for the HLPF.” It provides the Secretary-General’s analysis based of responses to a questionnaire, including those from Major Groups and other Stakeholders. (See: 2030 SD Agenda: Questionnaire on coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review at the global level) (para 2-5))

The new high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) will be the “central follow-up and review platform, ” and this report clarifies the roles of the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC and other platforms, starting from the premise that the process should be “country-led, people-centred, gender-sensitive, pragmatic, open, participatory, and useful to all countries and people,” (para 6)

II A review system oriented towards supporting national implementation

The lynchpin for the follow-up and review should be at the national level. At the global level the follow-up and review must complement and support national and regional reviews and be guided by the principles defined in the 2030 Agenda. (paras 7-8) 

III Working coherently with the institutions we have

HLPF thematic reviews of progress on the SDGs, including cross-cutting issues, will be supported by the ECOSOC functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and fora and will benefit from the guidance and support of the General Assembly and ECOSOC. (paras 11- 12) “Major groups of civil society and other stakeholders, including business, must participate in all parts of the follow-up and review architecture…” (para 15) The review system for the SDGs should promote “a cross-cutting understanding of the significant interlinkages across the goals and targets…” (para 17)

(a) The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

The HLPF will draw high-level political attention to gaps or areas where countries are lagging behind. (para 18)

Meetings under the auspices of the UNGA and meetings under ECOSOC

Every fourth year the HLPF will meet under the auspices of the UNGA, which necessitates all 17 SDGs being reviewed under the auspices of ECOSOC within a four-year period. When the HLPF meets under the UNGA. Heads of State and Government will “provide political guidance at the highest level on the Agenda and its implementation, identify progress and emerging challenges and mobilize further actions to accelerate implementation.” They will also determine whether there should be any adjustment to ensure that the Agenda “remains relevant and ambitious.” (paras 19-20)

Contributing to reviews at HLPF when meeting under ECOSOC auspices

The Annual HLPF could include four parts, namely:

1. Review of overall progress, with the review of the SDG progress report, National Reviews, and Regional Reviews 
2. Review of progress in specific areas, with thematic review on the Theme and In-depth Reviews of a subset of SDGs
3. Review of SDG 17 and other inputs on the implementation of the AAAA
4. New and emerging issues and looking to the long term

National Reviews will be voluntary. (paras 21-22)  

Regional reviews will also be carried out and discussed by the HLPF. The Secretary-General’s progress report and the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) will inform the HLPF’s work. Parts of the HLPF meeting will be devoted to the thematic review as well as reviews of means of implementation, including “outcomes of the implementation of Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), while also reviewing progress annually towards Means of implementation related targets.” The HLPF will therefore have linkages to the review process for the AAAA, the Financing for Development (FFD) Forum and the summary of the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). (paras 23-27)

Member States and other stakeholders could draw the attention of the ECOSOC President to new and emerging issues, which are within its remit, in advance of the HLPF. The HLPF, moreover, “must look at the impact of today’s trends and policy choices on the SDGs – 10, 15 or 30 years from now.” And, various dialogues and forums, including on Partnerships and Youth, now part of the ECOSOC High Level Segment could be brought into the work of the HLPF, with a forum for countries in special situations being held immediately beforehand. In addition, the re could be “dedicated inputs” on specific population groups such as on migrants or indigenous people from Commission for Social Development, the Human Rights Council etc. HLPF Ministerial Declaration, which will be finalized during the three ministerial days of the HLPF will the capture the “essence of the vision and policy from all of these inputs”, as well as recommendations in greater detail emanating from the reviews. (paras 28-35)

(b) The General Assembly

The General Assembly will “be able to take an integrated view of the messages emanating from the HLPF, ECOSOC, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council and other relevant bodies such as UNEA and the Human Rights Council.” Its main committees “would translate the findings and broad political guidance of the HLPF into more detailed high-level guidance on the issues on the UNGA agenda…the specific major UN international conferences and summits the UNGA follows.” Supported by ECOSOC, which will play a critical role through its comprehensive policy reviews of the UN system operational activities (QCPR), the General Assembly will be the main platform for reviewing the UN system’s contribution to the implementation of the Agenda. The General Assembly, therefore, should “ensure that the 2030 Agenda is adequately addressed in its agenda and shapes the way it conducts its business.” The President of the General Assembly, moreover, has indicated his willingness to “spearhead a review of the way the UNGA addressed the 2030 Agenda, which could be done by the working group on the revitalization if the UNGA.” (paras 36-39)

(c) The Economic and Social Council

Rio+20 referred to ECOSOC’s  “key role in achieving a balanced integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.” ECOSOC subsidiary bodies will be required to harmonise their work programmes and agendas with the annual theme of ECOSOC, with which the HLPF theme is in line” because of the integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda. The functional commissions and other subsidiary bodies of ECOSOC, therefore “will need to integrate the 2030 Agenda in their review work, adhering to the principles identified in the 2030 Agenda and contributing to the HLPF as the central follow-up and review platform…” ECOSOC also has “critical responsibilities in the follow-up to the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development and other bodies to inform goal 17 at the HLPF. (paras 40 -43)

(d) Functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and forums

“The Functional commissions of ECOSOC …will support HLPF Thematic Reviews of progress in achieving the SDGs.” A number of other bodies have been identified by the UN system Technical Support Team (UNTST) that review progress and discuss policies in specific areas addressed by the SDGs. They include the UN Environmental Assembly, the World Education Forum, the World Health Assembly, the International Labour Conference, the Human Rights Council and Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF and treaty bodies. All forums will be invited to contribute to the HLPF, “with the decision on whether and how to contribute left to those forums.” In doing so they should:

• Reflect on the implications of the 2030 Agenda for their respective areas of work, bearing in mind the integrated nature of the Agenda
• Examine their agendas and methods of work to ensure that they are able to respond to requests for voluntary inputs by the HPLF as needed and within the scope of their regular meetings
• Reflect on their ability to convene and engage the critical actors relevant to their contributions to the 2030 Agenda, including scientists, local governments, business, and representatives of the most vulnerable people, as has been done by the Committee on World Food Security…

The secretariats of these bodies will “play a role in supporting these forums in undertaking these tasks.” (paras 45-48)

The themes, which will help link the various parts of the “UN system intergovernmental architecture” for the HLPF should be decided well in advance of the beginning of the four year cycle. (paras 49-50)

While each forum should have flexibility to decide on its own approach, the contributions from intergovernmental forums to the HLPF can be made in different forms, eg a negotiated outcome or a summary of the discussions.“...gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls be included throughout global review.” (paras 52-53)

Inputs could use a simple template:

1.  Assessment of areas of progress and setback at the global level 
2.  Identification of areas requiring urgent attention
3.  Valuable lessons learned
4.  Emerging issues 
5.  Areas where political guidance by the HLPF is required
6.  Policy recommendations and tools to accelerate progress

They could be assembled and consolidated into a database for open review and comment. (paras 52-55)

(e) The regional perspective 

The importance of dialogue and review at the regional and sub-regional levels is recognized, (para 56) with UN regional commissions and other regional organizations working closely together. (para 58)

IV Assessments by non-UN organizations

International and regional organizations beyond the UN should review implementation of the 2030 Agenda, eg African Peer Review Mechanism, the peer reviews of the Pacific Island Forum, the OECD initiative (paras 60-61) Coalitions, non-governmental organizations and think tanks should also collect data and information on trends and policies at the global and regional levels.(para 63)

V Ensuring inclusiveness of global reviews

All reviews of implementation will be “open, inclusive, participatory and transparent for all people and will support reporting by all relevant stakeholders,” and “it is critical to engage major groups and other stakeholders throughout the review process, included at the national and subnational level…” 

There should also be strong participation of non-stake actors in UN intergovernmental forums and bodies and the “ECOSOC system in particular provides a space for multiple development actors to come together to review implementation” It specifies “stakeholders engaged in cutting–edge work – business, scientists, academia, parliamentarians, local governments, youth representatives and other major groups and stakeholders..” The President of ECOSOC, who also is the chair of the HLPF should promote “innovative ways” in accordance with UNGA resolution 67/290 “for major groups and other relevant stakeholders to participate in the HLPF work…” This should include access to documentation, being able to provide comments and inputs “through an on-line engagement platform as was done during the negotiations on the Agenda, as well as during HLPF meetings.” (paras 64-67)

“Non-Governmental Organizations, business and other major groups and other stakeholders could also be encouraged to announce their commitments for achieving the SDGs, with measurable milestones and deliverables… Ample space should also be given to non-state actors to organize events before and during the HLPF, with links to official meetings.” In addition, the Secretary-General encourages countries in carrying out Voluntary National Reviews at the HLPF “to invite civil society and the private sector to engage in their preparations including in national and subnational reviews” and the UN system is ready to support this process should Member States so wish. (paras 68-69)

VI Ensuring that high quality data supports the reviews

The Secretary-General’s Annual Progress Report on SDGs will be produced in cooperation with the UN system based on the global indicator framework and building on MDG progress reports, it will depict and analyze trends in a factual manner.  On FfD, the inter-agency task force will prepare its annual report on progress in implementing the AAAA and MoI of the 2030 Agenda. (paras 70-71)

The UN Statistical Commission makes important recommendations on high quality data and ideas can also be drawn from the UN Data Revolution report "A World That Counts". The HLPF will need to assess “whether the necessary measures are in place to produce the data necessary to underpin the review of SDGs.” (para 72)

VII Ensuring ambition and impact of HLPF Voluntary National Reviews

(a) National and sub-national reviews

In accordance with the 2030 Agenda, Member States should conduct “regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels…” It does not stipulate a frequency such national and sub-national reviews, although more frequent reviews will support stronger national engagement. They should serve as a basis for the HLPF Voluntary National Reviews. (paras 73-75)

(b) Incentives for countries to participate in Voluntary National Reviews by HLPF 

The HLPF Voluntary National Reviews should be geared towards accelerating implementation. The value of such an approach an be seen, for example, in the Universal Periodic Review in the area of human rights. Country-level reviews and preparations are, in and by themselves, useful and can help reduce silos and identify gaps and areas where support is needed. “Some Member States see an opportunity for the HLPF to be a ‘matchmaking market place’…” (para 76-77)

(c) Periodicity and number of Voluntary National Reviews by the HLPF

Although the 2030 Agenda does not stipulate the periodicity of Voluntary National Reviews, it is important that they are regular, and should apply to all countries, as the 2030 Agenda is universal. Up to two Voluntary National Reviews at the HLPF between now and 2030 is suggested. Regional reviews, moreover, can help to keep track of how the conclusions of the HLPF reviews are being followed up. (para 78-80)

(d) Featuring and discussing Voluntary National Reviews at the HLPF

As the HLPF will not be able to listen to a long series of comprehensive presentations on national reviews, some Member States have suggested that comprehensive reviews be synthesized ahead of the HLPF session. Guidance to Ministers of volunteering countries presenting suggests presentations should have a time limit, and highlight two or three good practices, two or three major challenges and any lessons learned.“ Each Minister could also outline the main messages, recommendations from discussions and next steps at the end of the HLPF. More focused written national reports highlighting the conclusions and main messages could also be presented. (paras 81-83)

(e) Building on existing mechanisms

Member States have reporting obligations in many SDG-related areas, to UN bodies such as the Human Rights Council, treaty monitoring bodies and specialized agencies and non-UN bodies. This process should build on such existing mechanisms. The Secretariat has developed an on-line platform to support and document the reviews of the HLPF, etc. (See: Website for the High-level Political Forum 2016). There could be a “related dedicated space for major groups and other stakeholders to submit comments. (paras 84-85)

(f) Follow-up to national reviews at HLPF

The President could capture key messages from the discussion on national reviews in the HLPF and preparatory meetings in his summary of discussion. Countries presenting for a second time could refer to the main conclusions, so that the follow-up and review process should be seen as cyclical. ((paras 86-87)

(g) Recommendations on voluntary common reporting guidelines

Experiences from existing review mechanisms shoe that limited comparability between reviews of different countries makes it is difficult to aggregate lessons from the reviews. Voluntary reporting guidelines, based on principles identified in the 2030 Agenda, might prove helpful, but they should not “become a cap on the ambition of countries. (paras 88-90)

VIII Annual theme of the HLPF and sequence of thematic reviews over the 4-year cycle

The General Assembly decided that the HLPF, when meeting under ECOSOC “shall have a thematic focus reflecting the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development, in line with the thematic focus of the activities of the Council and consistent with the post-2015 development agenda…”, an example “empowering women and girls for sustainable development…” Other possible cross-cutting themes could relate to, for example, the rights of children and youth. The HLPF will carry out thematic reviews of progress on “the SDGs including cross-cutting issues.” There are various options for reviewing the SDGs:

Option 1: “a comprehensive review of all SDGs through the lens of the theme,” which would help examine linkages and synergies, but restrict the depth of the treatment of the SDGs, given number of days for the meeting

Option 2: “look not only at all 17 goals through the lens of the theme for that year, but also, in addition, carry out an in-depth Goal by goal review of a few SDGs.” This would allow thematic reviews to cover all SDGs within four years, in preparation for the comprehensive  review to be conducted at the HLPF under the UNGA…” 

The following table shows a possible sequence of broad cross-cutting themes and thematic reviews that the HLPF could cover over a period of four years. It is based on th eproposal of the ECOSOC President that the theme for 2016 will be “Ensuring that no one is left behind” and that SDGs 1, 6, 8, 10 and 17 will be selected for thematic reviews.  Note: the theme and focus for the 2016 HLFP will be decided after this report is issued. Under each option, SDG 17 would be addressed every year…’

The themes and thematic reviews should 

1. enable the HLPF to deliver on its mandated functions
2. support substantive policy discussions to enable the HLPF to provide effective policy guidance, taking into account exchange of experience and lessons learned
3. inspire and enable UN organizations to contribute substantially to follow-up and review
4. incentivize high-level representation from various sectors at HLPF each year, from different policy areas. (paras 91-100)

IX Link between the annual theme of the HLPF and the theme of ECOSOC

The theme of the HLPF should be in line with the thematic focus of the activities of ECOSOC to ensure coherence and complementarity. The HLPF could focus on reviewing progress in implementing the SDGs, as mandated in the 2030 Agenda, while ECOSOC could build on its mandates, institutional strengths and authority and examine how the UN development system can be mobilized and transformed to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. (paras 101-102)

“Ensuring that the HLPF and ECOSOC address implementation… through the early adoption of a four-year programme of work, will facilitate the organization of work of functional commissions and other bodies in support of the 2030 Agenda.” (para 103)

X Reporting by major groups, other stakeholders and partnerships

The “2030 Agenda called on major groups and other relevant stakeholders to report on their contribution to implementation… [which] is important for the voluntary reporting and accountability by non-governmental actors who manage significant resources or assets, and therefore play an important role in the achievement of individual SDGs and targets on the ground.” These could include for example business, NGOs, specific partnerships and alliances, large cities, and others...” Reporting on partnerships and voluntary commitments for sustainable development should be strengthened to enhance visibility of successful examples and foster accountability, eg through on-line platforms… Voluntary reports by non-governmental actors and partnerships to the HLPF could be supplemented by a more general report on the major group or other stakeholder’s aggregated contribution in a specific focus area. (paraa 104-106)

XI Milestones and way forward

Theme and thematic reviews

The General Assembly could take a decision on:  

• Themes for the meetings of the HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC in 2017, 2018 and 2019, leading to a holistic review of progress in implementing the Agenda at the meeting of the HLPF under the UNGA in 2019 
• A sequence of thematic reviews for the same period that support the annual HLPF themes; with SDG 17 reviewed every year.
• Invite ECOSOC to decide on its annual themes for these same years, bearing in mind the link with the theme of the HLPF.  (para 110)

HLPF Voluntary National reviews

• Encourage all Member States to volunteer to carry out up to two Voluntary National Reviews by the HLPF by 2030… 
• Encourage the HLPF to adopt innovative organizational arrangements for its national reviews… 
• Encourage all countries to champion inclusive and rigorous approaches to HLPF reviews… 
• Invite the President of ECOSOC to prepare, in consultations with Member States, a summary of the discussions of the HLPF meetings…
• Invite the Secretary-General to further elaborate voluntary guidelines for the national reviews at the HLPF…
• Invite the UN system to support countries conducting reviews at the HLPF upon request… (paras 111-116)

Work of the UN General Assembly

• Decide to review its working methods and agenda to reflect the approaches and priorities of the 2030 Agenda… 
• Decide, as part of the QCPR, to review UN system’s support to the implementation of the 230 Agenda…(paras 117-118)

 Work of ECOSOC

• Call on ECOSOC to ensure that its subsidiary bodies reflect on the implications of the Agenda for their work and contribute to the review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in a coherent, effective and inclusive manner, consistent with the principles established in Agenda 2030, and that they provide adequate contributions to the global HLPF reviews
• Invite ECOSOC to review the calendar of conferences to ensure that it allows the various intergovernmental bodies to contribute to HLPF review
• Invite ECOSOC to hold its Development Cooperation Forum before the HLPF (paras 119-121)

Functional commissions, and other intergovernmental bodies and forums including those convened by specialized agencies

• Call on functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and forums to 

(i) to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; 

(ii) to this end, review their working methods and agendas in order to ensure that they address the implementation of the 2030 Agenda within their respective area of expertise and mandate; and (iii) enhance the engagement of non-state actors in their work and ensure that all relevant actors have the opportunity to contribute 

• Note that no single institution or forum can claim exclusive ownership of or responsibility for the review of a specific goal.... (paras 122-123)

Follow-up to conferences on countries in special situation

• Invite ECOSOC, as part of its integration segment, to review progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for countries in special situation… (para 124)

Regional reviews

• Invite the Regional Commissions, through their intergovernmental process, to consider a common format for conveying the results of the regional forums on sustainable development to the HLPF 
• Invites Regional Commissions, through their intergovernmental process, to consider how they could best support regional reviews. (paras 125-126)

Non-UN organizations

• Invite non-UN intergovernmental regional and international organizations to consider contributing to follow-up and review at the HLPF 
• Invite the Secretary-General, in preparing his reports for the HLPF, to take into account assessments and conclusions from reviews conducted by relevant non-UN organizations 
• Invite countries carrying out reviews in such platforms to use them in their preparations for national reviews at the HLPF (paras 127-129)

Major groups and other stakeholders and partnerships

• Welcome the many reviews of progress in specific areas of the 2030 Agenda undertaken by think tanks, civil society and other organizations, scientists and partnership initiatives such as the Global Compact, drawing attention to  the principles defined in paragraph 74; 
• Call on major groups and other stakeholders to continue reviewing implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda at all levels
• Invite Member States to create the necessary opportunities and modalities for their engagement in State-led reviews and preparations and conduct of review and follow-up at the HLPF 
• Encourages the private sector and civil society to inform the UN of their commitments to implement the SDGs as part of their contributions to follow-up and review
• Invite major groups and other stakeholder to self-organize and volunteer to carry out comparable rigorous reviews at the HLPF on their contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and regularly report to the HLPF (paras 130-134)

Way forward

• Decide to review progress in implementing this resolution and GA resolution 67/290 on the format and organizational modalities of the HLPF at its 74^th session instead of its 73^rd session, in order to benefit from lessons from the 2019 meeting of the HLPF under the auspices of the GA (para 135)