Philippines Hosts UN Workshop for 37 Countries Presenting National Implementation of The Sustainable Development Goals
Co-Chair of the Group of Friends (GoF) of Voluntary National Review (VNRs), PH Permanent Representative H.E. Antonio M. Lagdameo, delivers the Opening Remarks (right photo); and (left photo) partners with H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco, and H.E. Mrs. Paula Narváez, Permanent Representative of Chile and President of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), during the Final Preparatory Meeting/Workshop for the 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Countries at the Philippine Center in New York.
NEW YORK 26 July 2024 – Over 80 delegates from 37 UN Member States attended a workshop on 10 July 2024 hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York and conducted by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that were to be presented at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Sustainable Development.
The workshop was aimed at ensuring smooth presentation and discussion of the VNRs of the 37 Member States during the HLPF. The HLPF is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs at the global level.
As Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of the VNRs, Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo welcomed participants to the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.
He congratulated the 37 countries that were presenting their VNRs during and emphasized that “With only 17% of the SDGs on track, the VNRs take on an even more important role and sense of urgency… they are a valuable tool for promoting national and local sustainable development policies and programs, and galvanizing international support for these efforts.”
Ambassador Lagdameo further stated that: “The Group of Friends is here to support you in this final stage of your respective countries’ VNRs. As a State-led process that involves relevant stakeholders through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, the VNRs showcase the progress your countries are making on the ground.”
President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), H.E. Ambassador Paula Narvaez, Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN; Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of the VNRs, H.E. Ambassador Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco; and Acting Director of UN DESA, Neil Pierre, also delivered remarks.
The 37 Member States who presented VNRs at HLPF 2024 and attended the workshop at the Philippine Mission were Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belize, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Palau, Peru, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
PH presented its Voluntary National Review in 2016, 2019 and 2022.
Delegates included officials from capitals and Permanent Missions in New York, and also UN DESA officials and focal points for the VNRs who discussed technical issues related to the VNR presentations. Guests were treated to Philippine delicacies served during the workshop. END
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.
Delegates from UN member states undergoing the VNR process actively participate during the workshop hosted by the Philippine Permanent Mission and conducted by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).