Voluntary National Review (VNR) is part of the formal intergovernmental follow-up and review process on the Agenda 2030 which is presented at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF). This process is voluntary, state-led, country driven, undertaken by both developed and developing countries. It is a platform for partnerships, including participation of major groups and other stakeholders.

VNR Consultation working session on SDG 5 led by TGNP

The 2023 Voluntary National Review marks a second time that Tanzania is reporting the progress of SDGs at HLPF (the first time being 2019). This year’s theme is “Accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.” Goals which will be under review are SDG 6 (water and sanitation), 7(Clean Energy), 9(Industrialization, Infrastructure and Innovation), 11 (Sustainable Cities), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

In Tanzania, CSOs VNR process is led by the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform which is co-convened by UNA Tanzania. The Government through the National Coordination Framework for the Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting of the Sustainable Development Goals (NCF-SDGs) mandated the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform to coordinate civil society on SDGs related aspects. The overall objective of the NCF-SDGs is to facilitate smooth, efficient and effective coordination of the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the SDGs and the other international and regional development commitments.

VNR Consultation working session on SDG 4 led by HakiElimu

The Platform commenced national CSOs consultations on February and shall proceed to cover the goals and leave no one behind hearings which will focus on the groups that are vulnerable and most likely to be left behind in the implementation of SDGs these groups will involve women, children, youth, people with Disability, People Living with HIV, farmers, Media and KVPs. The consultations have already involved more than 300 CSOs representing 7 zones of the Tanzania mainland; Central zone, Coastal zone, Lake zone, Northern zone, Southern Highlands zone, Southern zone as well as Zanzibar. Some of the regions that attended the consultations included Mtwara, Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Lindi, Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, Singida, Morogoro, Manyara, Iringa, Pwani and Kigoma.

More information on the VNR consultations ca be found on the website of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform; www.maendeleoendelevu.or.tz