How are multi-stakeholder platforms for SDGs involved in the follow-up and review process at national level including the Voluntary National Review process?

The Political Declaration of the SDG Summit clearly states that the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) will help “to further strengthen the follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda”. Indeed, achieving the SDGs requires robust follow-up and review (FUR) processes that boost accountability, empower different stakeholders, and connect disparate voices involved in SDG implementation. 

Thus, revitalising multi-stakeholder platforms is essential to ensuring that FUR leads to the transformations required to achieve the SDGs. In fact, it is arguably this promise that has led many countries to create multi-stakeholder SDG platforms. However, just as there been a growing emergence of these platforms, there have also been increasing questions about their effectiveness.

This side event will convene representatives of multi-stakeholder platforms from across regions to explore how these platforms have bolstered FUR and how they can further amplify their impacts on this and other SDG processes. 

Additionally, the session will examine the evolving role of these representatives over time as they engage in the FUR process. The overall objective of this side event is to foster knowledge exchange among multi-stakeholder platforms to enhance their influence on national-level FUR processes and on the stakeholders involved.

Moreover, the session intends to provide insights for countries and stakeholders contemplating the establishment of similar platforms.