11 July 2016: Two events organized by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and partners discussed “why” and “how” thematic reviews should be conducted, to ensure they can support the integrated and inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During a two-day high-level event and a subsequent side event to the 2016 session of the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF), participants developed key messages and recommendations to support the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review process.

The High-level Event titled, ‘Towards Thematic Reviews for an Integrated Follow-Up & Review of the 2030 Agenda,’ took place from 7-8 July 2016, in New York, US, ahead of HLPF 2016. Attended by approximately 100 representatives from countries’ Permanent Missions to the UN, UN agencies, multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), academia and stakeholder groups, the meeting focused on follow-up and review processes at the global level.

In a plenary session, participants discussed the rationale for conducting thematic reviews, using the natural resources perspective to gain a better understanding how thematic reviews can support universality, contribute to integrated implementation and offer opportunities to support countries in ensuring that the 2030 Agenda’s principles and ambitions are achieved. Participants stressed that thematic reviews are “uncharted territory” and offer room for input by stakeholders. It was also noted that thematic reviews may reveal how follow-up and review needs to be designed, so it offers necessary space for the discussions to address linkages.

During a series of breakout groups, participants considered ways to conduct thematic reviews with the involvement of non-UN stakeholders. Discussions focused on: reducing complexity and ensuring integration; links to the official HLPF process; and accountability and empowerment.

A final plenary session discussed signposts and steps towards inclusive and integrated thematic reviews, with participants stressing: the need to fully engage civil society and all stakeholders; the size, organization and financing of the HLPF Secretariat; the need to better communicate the SDGs to the public; the value of synthesizing views through non-UN processes; the need for central leadership for SDGs implementation; and how to overcome disinterest among academia and the general public in SDG implementation.

Conference chair Alexander Müller, German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) and The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for Agriculture and Food, outlined the following key messages emerging from the event, including:

• The 2030 Agenda presents unprecedented challenges regarding the “global transformation of development pathways, which require new answers.”
• The implementation of the 2030 Agenda will be successful only if organized as a collective learning process.
• These learning processes do not take place on a level playing field, but in a context of power imbalances.
• Participation does not replace the upholding of rights.
• Development pathways of UN Member States are connected and follow-up and review mechanisms must respond to this.
• Thematic reviews can help reduce the complexity presented by the 2030 Agenda and its integrated nature, by highlighting linkages among selected SDGs and targets.

These key messages were presented during a HLPF 2016 side event on 11 July 2016. Speakers at the side event highlighted, among other issues: the importance of jump-staring 2030 Agenda implementation at the national level; the need to empower citizens as agents in the follow-up and review process; and the need to take into account that countries are interconnected through trade.

The two events were organized by IASS and the Think Tank for Sustainability (TMG), with the support of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR) and co‐hosted by the Permanent Missions of Colombia, Germany and Sierra Leone. Partners of the event were the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the World Centre for Sustainable Development (RIO+ Centre), the Stakeholder Forum, Together 2030, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). [IISD RS Coverage of High-level Event] [IISD RS Coverage of HLPF 2016] [IISD RS Stories on Previous IASS Events, Publications] [IISD RS Sources]