Thirty countries intend to report to peers in 2021 on their experiences with SDG implementation, according to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Voluntary national reviews (VNRs) are presented during the annual sessions of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

In July 2020, ECOSOC President Munir Akram announced that 42 will be the maximum number of countries to present VNRs during the HLPF’s ministerial segment in July 2021. 

On 28 September 2020, Akram informed Member States that 30 countries have now been “accepted,” and 12 spots remain for countries to present in 2021. Expressions of interest can be sent to the President by 16 October 2020. 

The countries currently slated to present VNRs include a range of “first-timers” as well as governments that have presented previously. The 2021 VNR list is currently composed of:

• First-time presenters: Angola, Bolivia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Marshall Islands, and Myanmar;
• Second-time presenters: Bahamas, Bhutan, Chad, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Iraq, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and Zimbabwe; and
• Third-time presenters: Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Mexico, Qatar, Sierra Leone, and Uruguay.

In his earlier letter, Arkam indicated that priority will be given to countries presenting VNRs for the first time.

The July 2021 session of the HLPF will have the theme, ‘Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, that promotes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: Building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.’

Apart from the VNR presentations, a portion of the 2021 HLPF session will focus on nine SDGs: Goal 1 (No poverty); Goal 2 (Zero hunger); Goal 3 (Good health and wellbeing); Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth); Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities); Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production); Goal 13 (Climate action); Goal 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions); and Goal 17 (Partnership for the Goals). The reviews will include targets with a 2020 timeline. [Letter to Member States]