Implementation at national level depends… on the specific nation. However, a common reporting system has been set up by the United Nations.
A most interesting read is the full guide published by the InterAcademy Partnership, that you can download here.
But as it is longer than this post, have a quick look about why you should take more time for SDGs.
As for the previous post, we publish here a figure, that comes directly from IAP guide, and that will help to understand how SDGs can (should) be implemented at national level. Of course, it is only a framework, as every country has its specificities.
Foreign Affairs or the equivalent, which will lead UN negotiations and country reporting, is the lead government ministry/department for the SDGs in many countries. However, depending of the country organization, a wide range of other ministries and agencies will be responsible for the implementation of the goals.
Most of the time, academies have frequent contacts with ministries in charge of science, higher education, health, environment, agriculture. And also of course with research agencies.
International reporting
The Voluntary National Review (VNR) is a process common to all UN Member States: countries voluntarily undertake to inform the High Level Political Forum on their progress in implementing the goals nationally. The purpose of a VNR is to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, in national implementation; to strengthen government policies and institutions; and to mobilise multi-stakeholder support and partnerships.
The UN secretariat is making efforts to standardise these reviews so that they include national priorities and targets; two or three examples of (i) sharing best practice, (ii) challenges encountered, and (iii) areas where support is required; review methodology – who was involved, who was consulted; incorporation of SDGs in national frameworks; and a description of how they are being implemented.
All about VNRs can be found on the dedicated page. especially, everybody can see if its own country has deposited one or several VNRs, and when, and read them. The UN also produces syntheses.
The VNRs provide a platform for academies to engage with their respective governments, with the possibility of becoming an institutionalised but independent part of the process.
