27 October 2016: The third annual Sustainable Development Transition Forum (SDTF) shared lessons in mainstreaming and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level. The Forum and its central outcome, the ‘2016 Incheon Communiqué,’ focused on ensuring that poverty eradication and prosperity are universal, so that “no one is left behind.”

The UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) hosted the SDTF from 25-27 October in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, in partnership with the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). Over 100 representatives and experts from governments, the UN system, NGOs and academia participated. The Forum focused on the following areas: adapting the SDGs to national contexts; multi-stakeholder approaches and partnerships; SDG inter-linkages and policy coherence; SDG implementation follow-up and review; and a prospective view of the 2030 Agenda. A session on multi-stakeholder approaches and partnerships recognized that the choice of multi-stakeholder approaches is context specific.

On adapting the SDGs to national contexts, speakers shared their national experiences in mainstreaming the SDGs, stressing a genuine desire to implement the 2030 Agenda and efforts to raise awareness among stakeholders. Participants highlighted, inter alia: coordination mechanisms and processes to facilitate inter-ministerial coordination; multi-stakeholder committees to produce local action plans; high-level leadership in driving results; creation of SDG support units; programs that budget for outcomes by asking what citizens want and other participatory budget approaches; and the role of Forums, like the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and the SDTF, in providing a way for countries to share experiences in adapting and implementing the SDGs.

On SDG inter-linkages and policy coherence, participants recognized that some governments are focusing on a subset of the SDGs. They discussed opportunities for increasing coordination across sectors and levels of government to ensure policy coherence and achievement of all the Goals, including whole-of-government approaches for planning, implementing and monitoring the SDGs. Experts shared analytical and institutional approaches for identifying and understanding SDG inter-linkages and facilitating coordination among national stakeholders. They highlighted how tools that analyze inter-linkages among the SDGs can create “shared mental models of causality” while also helping to identify new partnership models. Participants underscored the importance of, inter alia: making existing institutional mechanisms work for the SDGs, rather than creating new institutions; breaking down mental silos that prevent change; creating horizontal coordination groups; promoting inclusive institutions; and improving data collection and statistical analysis to monitor and review progress at national and sub-national levels.

On SDG implementation follow-up and review, participants reflected on the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented at the 2016 HLPF and other tools for monitoring SDG progress, including the SDG Index. Participants suggested that sub-national voluntary reviews could help localize the SDGs and facilitate data disaggregation; and highlighted the importance of mapping SDGs against national plans and strategies to identify gaps. They also underscored the need for incentives for integrated policy-making and service delivery, regional opportunities for peer learning, and further elaboration of common reporting guidelines. [SDTF Website] [Incheon Communiqué] [Concept Note]

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SDG Knowledge Hub coverage of SDTF meetings can be found here.