26 February 2019: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed welcomed the strengthening of public institutions and inclusive decision-making on the part of Spain’s government, citing the importance of SDG 16 and its target 16.7. Mohammed was addressing the first meeting of the Spain’s Joint Parliamentary Committee for the 2030 Agenda, which is expected to play a central role in accountability on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In Spain’s 2018 Voluntary National Review (VNR), Spain states its commitment to the 2030 Agenda is reflected in several ways, including in “the unanimous agreement to create a Joint Parliamentary Committee for the 2030 Agenda” involving the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. The Joint Parliamentary Committee is responsible for coordinating and monitoring Spain’s SDG strategy. The Committee’s first meeting took place in Madrid, Spain, on 26 February.

Addressing the Joint Parliamentary Committee, the UN Deputy Secretary-General praised the Committee’s high-level commitment to the 2030 Agenda. She stressed Parliament’s critical role in ensuring progress on the 2030 Agenda, particularly on transforming ideas into action and laws, ensuring that the 2030 Agenda is financed and reaches local levels throughout Spain, and ensuring monitoring and review. Mohammed observed the influence of Parliaments beyond national borders, calling on Spain’s Parliament to share its experiences and best practices with other parliamentarians to ensure “improved implementation of the 2030 Agenda around the world.” She urged the Joint Parliamentary Committee to “adopt ambitious new measures to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda,” and to present such measures at the SDG Summit in September 2019.

Mohammed highlighted Spain’s contribution to SDG 16 (peace, justice and strengthened institutions) and efforts to align public policies and priorities with the SDGs. She observed that Spain has developed “effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels and ensured responsive, representative and inclusive decision-making,” in line with SDG target 16.7. She said Spain is among the top ten global performers in e-government and has a high e-participation index and offers a model for a rules-based order and commitment to multilateralism.

On financing, the UN Deputy Secretary-General praised Spain for becoming the first donor to commit to the new Joint Fund for the 2030 Agenda, noting the Fund is a “key element in the reform of the UN Development system to support improved implementation of the 2030 Agenda.” Mohammed said the Joint Fund will support Member States to accelerate progress and provide access to capacity and expertise in a streamlined and integrated manner.

In June 2018, the Government of Spain created the High Committee for Agenda 2030, a body led by Cristina Gallach as High Commissioner and chaired by Sanchez, to coordinate actions related to the SDGs. In February 2019, Spain established the Sustainable Development Council to support SDG implementation, meeting one of its national SDG commitments. [UN Deputy Secretary-General Statement] [Government of Spain Press Release on UN Deputy Secretary-General Visit] [Joint Commission Agenda] [Publication: Spain’s 2018 VNR] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Sustainable Development Council Establishment]