15 July 2016: Participants shared national experiences in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and discussed possible mechanisms for follow-up and review, at a series of eight short courses organized as part of the ‘SDGs Learning, Training and Practice.’ The event, which took place alongside the 2016 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) aimed to provide a strategic vision and practical knowledge on how to find sustainable, effective solutions for communities.The Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) organized the event, which took place at UN Headquarters in New York, US, from 11-15 July 2016.

On getting ready to implement the 2030 Agenda and developing a SDG roadmap, participants discussed national development plans and strategies to facilitate the implementation, monitoring and reporting on progress. They also considered how to mainstream the SDGs into country planning processes and localize SDG targets and indicators for countries’ needs. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) organized the session.

On accelerating the achievement of the SDGs through other international agreements, participants focused on implementation of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the SAMOA Pathway and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The session showcased examples from small island developing States (SIDS) and the least developed countries (LDCs) on addressing development, disaster and climate risks through integrated policy frameworks or through regional strategies. Participants also discussed the role of data collection, indicators and risk-informed decision-making in accelerating implementation of agreements in SIDS and LDCs. The UN Office for DRR (UNISDR), the UN Office of the High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS (OHRLLS), and DESA organized the session.

On national reviews and monitoring and evaluations systems for the SDGs, participants considered mechanisms to ensure regular and inclusive reviews of progress at national and sub-national levels. The session focused on processes to strengthen national data systems and ensure effective monitoring of the SDGs while also promoting data disaggregation and reflecting linkages among SDGs and targets. The Government of Slovenia and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) organized the session.

Other sessions addressed: the role of business in leaving no one behind; women’s empowerment; the iSDG model; harmonizing global, regional and national commitments to implement the SDGs, and other topics. Additional session organizers included the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, UNDP Egypt, and the Millennium Institute.

HLPF 2016 convened from 11-20 July. [Meeting Website] [UNITAR Event Website] [Concept Note] [IISD RS Coverage of HLPF]