UCLG ASPAC Roles on the VNR and VLR Process

ENHANCING the support given to cities and local governments to attain sustainable urban development, UCLG ASPAC has also encouraged and assisted cities and regional governments in the commitment for Voluntary Local Review (VLR) and Voluntary National Review (VNR) through various methods. Joining hands with stakeholders within its network, UCLG ASPAC ensures strong local governments’ inputs in the preparation and report.
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Local Governments and the Voluntary National Review

The Voluntary National Review (VNR) represents national commitment to the Agenda 2030 through the review of the achievement of the sustainable development goals. From 2016 to 2019, a total of 158 VNRs have been presented from 142 countries at the High-Level Political Forum[1] and 51 more will be added in 2020[2]. The VNR process has been institutionalised in most countries. However, participation of local and regional governments in the VNR remains limited at 42% (66 out of 158 VNRs)[3].

At least 65% of the SDG targets cannot be achieved without local action[4]. With local governments at the forefront of delivering the global agenda, localisation of the goals become indispensable.

UCLG ASPAC has undertaken several initiatives to promote the localisation of the 2030 Agenda and call for greater involvement of local governments in national mechanisms, including the VNR process.
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Local Governments and the Voluntary Local Review

There is a growing movement of local governments developing and presenting their Voluntary Local Review (VLR). Since 2018, 16 VLRs have been prepared by 15 local and regional governments[5].

In 2019, UCLG ASPAC signed an agreement with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies to strengthen cooperation work on the VLR. More information is available in the following links:

UCLG ASPAC is currently supporting the development of the VLR Guidelines under the framework of the Penang Platform for Sustainable Urbanisation.
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Further information on UCLG ASPAC’s roles on VNR and VLR Process:

INPUTS TO CHAIR’S STATEMENT FOR THE 7TH APFSD

WUF10: CONNECTING CITIES FOR VOLUNTARY LOCAL REVIEWS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)

VLR CITIES AND REGIONS NETWORKING AND MATCH-MAKING EVENT – #WUF10

REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS FROM FIVE ASIAN COUNTRIES COMPLETE A COURSE ON LOCALISING SDGS

STRENGTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS’ ENGAGEMENT IN THE VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW (VNR)

HAMAMATSU’S VISION TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

FOSTERING MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS IN ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) IN INDONESIA

COLLABORATION FOR INCLUSIVE TRANSFORMATION: TOWARDS A CIRCULATING AND ECOLOGICAL ECONOMY

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS REVIEWED, ACCELERATION REQUIRED TO MEET 2030 DEADLINE

SHARING LESSONS LEARNED FROM LOCALISING SDGS

UCLG ASPAC AT UCLG WORLD RETREAT: FOSTERING SYNERGIES OF OUR WORK WITH GLOBAL PARTNERS

LOCALISE SDGS: MOBILISING INDONESIA’S LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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[1] 2019 Voluntary National Reviews Synthesis Report
[2] Handbook for the Preparation of the Voluntary National Reviews 2020 Edition
[3] Towards the Localisation of the SDGs 3rd Report
[4] GOLD V
[5] State of the Voluntary National Reviews 2020