Philippines Presents 4th Voluntary National Review on Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals
DEPDev Usec. Rosemarie G. Edillon presenting the country’s VNR at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)
NEW YORK 29 July 2025 — The Philippines reaffirmed its “strong commitment to sustainable and inclusive development - a future where no one is left behind –“ as it presented its fourth Voluntary National Review (VNR) on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.
Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) led the Philippine delegation that presented the VNR, together with H.E. Antonio M. Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN, and Ms. Rebecca Malay, co-chair of the SDG Stakeholders Chamber in the Philippines.
In its VNR, the Philippines highlighted significant progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda through a “whole-of-nation-PLUS approach” that promotes meaningful collaboration and partnerships among and between national and local governments, civil society, business, academe, and development partners.
The VNR report showed significant progress in numerous SDGs; namely those on reducing poverty (SDG1), education (SDG4), water and sanitation (SDG6), responsible consumption and production (SDG12), life below water (SDG14), and life on land (SDG15).
Importantly, previously regressing Goals on zero hunger (SDG2), gender equality (SDG5), affordable and clean energy (SDG7), decent work and economic growth (SDG8), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9) have since advanced.
Across sectors, the Philippines underscored the following achievements:
- lower-income groups saw faster income growth;
- stunting among children up to 5 years was reduced through nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs;
- enhanced implementation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 (RA No. 9262);
- a shift in the paradigm for health care – from curative to preventive, from a focus on health workers for service delivery to collective responsibility;
- development of the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production, which outlines policies and strategies that also support other related goals; and
- development of the Trabaho para sa Bayan Plan — a comprehensive strategy to future-proof the labor market and strengthen labor market governance.
“The VNR is a key strategy whose formulation process helped cultivate champions for the goals; and reporting to the HLPF has offered valuable opportunities for learning and reflection,” said Edillon.
Delegates in the room actively participated in the interactive discussion through questions relating to disaggregated data collection, implementation of the Regional SDG Catch-Up plans, collaboration among governments, educational institutions, and contribution of the private sector towards the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), among others.
The Philippines presented its VNR in the same panel as Finland, whose delegation was led by H.E. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
During the presentation, the Philippines distributed to delegates a one-pager on the main messages of its VNR report, and also a miniature jeepney cellular phone holder, to showcase the country’s culture and commitment to sustainability, in line with the 2030 Agenda.
Prior to its VNR presentation, the Philippines treated delegates with coffee from Benguet and pandesal at the Delegates Lounge in the UN to showcase the Philippine’s efforts on the localization of the SDGs. Baguio City was among the Local Governments featured in the report to have conducted a local voluntary review (LVR). END
Usec. Edillon presenting statistics on Philippine progress in implementing the SDGs.
The Philippine delegation with the Finnish delegation led by H.E. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.