Participants at an official side event of the 2026 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) underscored the value of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and peer learning in sustaining momentum for SDG implementation beyond the reporting cycle. Participants emphasized that the value of VNRs lies not only in national reporting, but also in the relationships, trust, and cooperation they can generate to accelerate SDG implementation.

The event, titled Co-creating Pathways for the Sustainability Agenda: Peer Learning for the Future, was co-organized by the Governments of Brazil, Germany, and Switzerland, together with countries participating in the 2026 VNR Peer Learning initiative. It took place at the Mission of Switzerland to the UN in New York, US, on the margins of the HLPF.

Opening the discussion, Markus Reubi, State Secretary of the Swiss Government, described VNRs as one of the main achievements of the HLPF. He added that the peer learning initiative has helped countries deepen their understanding of VNR methodologies and noted that Germany and Brazil have played leading roles in advancing a process driven by Member States and by the countries preparing national reports.

The moderator recalled that Germany launched the peer learning process in 2025 to create a space where countries could learn from one another. Fourteen countries participated in the 2026 process: Brazil, Norway, Switzerland, Jamaica, Uruguay, Egypt, Mozambique, Tunisia, Malawi, Italy, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, and Somalia.

Bruno Palazon Imparato, Brazilian Mission to the UN, emphasized the importance of a trusted space for bringing forward data and experiences, arguing that, at a time when multilateralism is under pressure, learning from one another through the VNR process helps demonstrate the value of international cooperation.

Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary, Germany, called for honest and integrated reporting, regular exchanges, and alliances to support implementation, stressing that the remaining four years until 2030 must be used effectively.

Lotta Tahtinen, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), said the preparation of VNRs can help ministries work together, support cooperation between governments and civil society, and keep the SDGs visible at the national level.

Representatives of peer learning countries reflected on the value of the process for national implementation. Ambassador Elizabeth Bogosian, Uruguay, said no country can make progress on the 2030 Agenda on its own. She said peer learning helped Uruguay view its progress with fresh eyes, including on aligning national planning with financing.

Mara Cossu, Italy, said the peer learning initiative helped participants develop a common language and shared messages, including on SDG localization, and encouraged countries to see VNRs not only as reporting exercises but also as enabling environments for implementation.

Fadumo Mumin, Somalia, said her country’s second VNR provided an opportunity to strengthen coordination and institutional structures. She described the VNR as a tool for measuring development across sectors and said one of its legacies has been stronger consultations within government.

Speakers also discussed who should be included in peer learning and VNR follow-up spaces. Laura Cury, Brazil, described the annual civil society Spotlight Report on Brazil’s SDG progress. She said it has been produced since 2017 by more than 50 organizations in Brazil, as an independent assessment of SDG implementation that identifies gaps and offers recommendations. She called for institutionalized social participation, independence, and co-creation in SDG follow-up.

Andreas Lustenberger, Caritas, said meaningful participation does not mean every stakeholder plays the same role. He said policies succeed when they reflect people’s realities and emphasized that protecting civic space is fundamental. He urged participants to continue building momentum after the VNR process concludes.

Judith Gobin, Co-Chair of the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), highlighted spillover effects and the ways one country’s actions can affect another country’s ability to implement the SDGs, citing transboundary marine plastic pollution as one example. She emphasized capacity building and learning across borders.

Mavi Brilhante, Youth representative, called for stronger youth participation in SDG-related spaces, saying young people need to be invited to contribute in more substantive ways.

Closing the event, Thiago Gehre Galvão, Brazil, thanked partners who supported the peer learning process and said the meeting was not the end of the journey. He noted plans for follow-up meetings and expressed hope that another country would “take up the torch” to continue supporting peer learning within the VNR process.

The discussion took place as 36 countries were presenting VNRs at HLPF 2026, which reviewed SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. [SDG Knowledge Hub sources]