Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require strong leadership, a coherent implementation plan and a cross-government approach, according to the UK's International Development Committee.
In a report titled ‘UK Implementation of the SDGs,' the Committee reflects on the UK's implementation plans, and makes recommendations on domestic policy, policy coherence and the role of the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
8 June 2016: Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require strong leadership, a coherent implementation plan and a cross-government approach, according to the UK’s International Development Committee. In a report, titled ‘UK Implementation of the SDGs,’ the Committee reflects on the UK’s implementation plans, and makes recommendations on domestic policy, policy coherence and the role of the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
“The Government’s response to domestic implementation of the SDGs has so far been insufficient,” the report concludes. It expresses concern that the SDGs have not been included in the 2015-2020 Single Departmental Plans of UK government departments, suggesting this absence “indicates a worrying lack of engagement in the SDGs across Government.”
International Development Committee (IDC) Chair Stephen Twigg, MP, stressed that the SDGs “must be on the radar of every Secretary of State and Minister; not just the Secretary of State for International Development,” in order to ensure UK implementation is on track. He underscored the importance of strong leadership and immediate, clear action to accelerate the UK’s implementation.
On domestic policy, the report recommends the UK Cabinet Office produce an internal communications strategy on the SDGs that assigns specific responsibilities for making progress on the SDGs to specific government departments to ensure ownership and clear lines of accountability. It suggests clearly identifying such responsibilities in each department’s Single Departmental Plan with specific references to relevant SDGs by number. Further, the report stresses that all Secretaries of State and government officials must understand the implications of SDG implementation on their department’s policies and programmes.
On policy coherence, the report recommends the government identify a formal mechanism for relevant Secretaries of State or responsible Ministers to convene, on a regular basis, to discuss SDG implementation across the government. The report suggests that such a forum could initially focus on discussing coherent implementation of the Goals across government, with the initial aim of identifying any areas of policy incoherence for immediate, early action. Over time, the report suggests the forum could mature into a mechanism for discussion of particular focus areas.
On the role of DfiD, the report finds “little clarity” on how DFID will support SDG implementation in other countries. It recommends that the government produce a ‘White Paper on International Development’ to clarify its approach to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including on support to developing countries. The report also reflects on where DFID should prioritize its efforts and welcomes DFID’s emphasis on encouraging national ownership of the SDGs in priority countries, including on current efforts to map targets and indicators with national plans to identify alignment with existing priorities and possible gaps. The report concludes that DFID should assess where it is likely to make the most impact and then act accordingly.
On financing, the report recognizes official development assistance (ODA) as an essential part of the financing needed to achieve the SDGs, particularly for the least developed countries (LDCs), and underscores the importance of private sector investment in creating jobs, providing services, increasing resilience and increasing income. The report welcomes the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7% of its gross national income (GNI) on ODA, suggesting that the UK Government should focus on developing and fragile states and “actively consider whether its work will have a positive impact on the achievement of the SDGs.”
On data and monitoring, the report urges DFID to take a leading role in the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data. It encourages innovation, localization and partnership to find new ways to collect data to establish baselines and track progress, among other actions. The report suggests the UK Government report annually on its contribution to SDG progress in all DFID priority countries, including contributions on the environment, migration, peace and security, tax and trade. The Committee would use these reports to analyze the Government’s efforts to support SDG implementation overseas.
The report also recommends actions to address corruption, tax evasion and tax cooperation, as well as private sector engagement with the Goals, including international benchmarks to encourage businesses to monitor and report on their progress on relevant targets. [UK Parliament Press Release] [UK Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals]