Connecting the Dots: Integrating VLRs and VNRs for SDG Reporting
27 March 2026, 10:30 – 11:30 Virtual (Zoom)
Session description
A Voluntary Local Review (VLR) is a process through which sub-national governments undertake a voluntary review of their progress towards delivering the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Localising the SDGs or translating the Global Goals into relevant, actionable and attainable priorities at the local level is a vital first step toward leveraging action to address the multiple interlinked crises and promote sustainable urban development.
The session will be a dialogue among local and national government representatives, NGOs implementing agencies, and development partners to identify pathways for institutional integration of VLRs in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). It will focus on strengthening collaboration among local and national government agencies for better alignment and integration between VLRs and VNRs. It will explore how VLRs can systematically inform and strengthen VNRs to accelerate SDG localisation and advance multi-level governance that supports the global stock take of SDGs.
The session, to be held as a virtual side event at the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), will be led by Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Asia in partnership with ICLEI South Asia, the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Male City Council.
ICLEI South Asia and ESCAP have supported 3 South Asian cities to develop their VLR – the first ones in the region – under the CDKN programme. Drawing on the learnings from this work, the session will showcase challenges and opportunities of local governments to develop VLRs that are backed by data and driven by national, local and community priorities. It will highlight the need for national government encouragement for the preparation of such VLRs and their possible contributions to national SDG reporting frameworks.
Programme
Time | Agenda |
10:30 – 10:35 | Master of Ceremony
Introductory Address
|
10:35 – 11:25 | Panel Discussion – How to strengthen VLR-VNR integration Moderator
Discussant
Q&A |
11:25 – 11:30 | Vote of Thanks: |
Contact
For any questions or clarification regarding the session, please write to Ms. Bedoshruti Sadhukhan, ICLEI South Asia, Email: [email protected]