South Sudan ensures inclusivity in the preparatory process of the 2024 Voluntary National Review.

South Sudan will present its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) in the 2024 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in July.

The VNR will assess the progress the country has made in implementing its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development amid climate change risks and soaring economic crisis. Regular preparation of VNRs facilitates sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 

The VNRs also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

South Sudan is among 44 countries which are set to present their VNRs at the HLPF under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The process of preparing the VNR is spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and planning, with support from the United Nations Country Team led by the Office of the Resident Coordinator in South Sudan. 

To start off the process and ensure an inclusive and a participatory process, the Ministry of Finance and Planning in partnership with the UN, established a working group comprised of focal persons from the line ministries and UN agencies, Funds and programs. This team brainstormed and agreed on the structure of the report and SDGs that the review will focus on. Sustainable Development Goals: 2: Zero Hunger, 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 4: Quality Education, 13: Climate Action and 16: Peace, Justice and strong institutions demonstrating impact on SDG 1: No poverty was selected for the review. 

An official launch event, announcing the exercise to the public was convened bringing together over one hundred people including government ministers, UN representatives, civil society representatives, representatives of women and youth groups, among others. The participants at the launch ceremony jointly set the tone for the VNR review. An exercise that will enable South Sudan to evidently know her stand as far as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is concerned and chat a way forward to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. 

To further bring on board the views and contributions from all stakeholders, consultations with various groups including UN, government, women and youth groups, Head of Parliament Committees and Council of State representatives have been planned. It is envisioned that deliberations from these consultations will further enrich the Voluntary National Review Report, painting a realistic picture of the SDGs in South Sudan. The consultations will also bring out new innovations that would help expedite the implementation of the Sustainable Development goals, bringing in better results for People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.