The Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS), in partnership with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), organized a series of three insightful webinars on February 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2025. These sessions were designed to equip stakeholders with comprehensive information on the opportunities, processes, and best practices for engagement within the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process for the upcoming High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, the webinars were conducted in three widely spoken languages: English, Spanish, and Russian. Each session brought together experts, civil society representatives, and key stakeholders who shared valuable knowledge on how to participate effectively in the VNR process, engage with national governments, and contribute to sustainable development discussions at both national and global levels.
Why These Webinars Matter
The VNR process is a critical mechanism within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, allowing countries to assess and report on their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For stakeholders—including civil society organizations, grassroots movements, youth groups, women’s organizations, indigenous peoples, trade unions, and other key actors—these reviews present a crucial opportunity to contribute perspectives from the ground, advocate for policy changes, and ensure that commitments translate into meaningful action.
Attendees gained a deeper understanding of:
✔️ The role of stakeholders in shaping and contributing to VNRs
✔️ Best practices for engaging with governments and other actors in the review process
✔️ Strategies to ensure inclusivity and amplify voices of marginalized and underrepresented communities
✔️ How to leverage international advocacy platforms through MGoS to drive impact and accountability
Access the Webinar Recordings and Resources
To make these discussions available to a wider audience, recordings of all three webinars have been made publicly accessible. This ensures that those who could not attend the live sessions can still benefit from the expertise and knowledge shared. The availability of these resources also enables stakeholders to revisit key discussions at their convenience and integrate insights into their ongoing work.
We invite all stakeholders to explore these materials, share them within their networks, and use them as tools for enhanced engagement in the VNR process.
📌 Watch the recordings and download the presentation slides below:
🔹 English Webinar Recording – View Presentation Slides
🔹 Spanish Webinar Recording – View Presentation Slides
🔹 Russian Webinar Recording – View Presentation Slides
By ensuring broad access to these resources, MGoS and UN DESA reaffirm their commitment to transparency, knowledge-sharing, and the meaningful participation of all stakeholders in shaping sustainable development policies and monitoring SDG implementation.
If you represent an organization or network working on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation in one of the 39 VNR countries, your input is invaluable. Please fill out the form at your earliest convenience. The form will remain open until April 2025 (exact deadline to be announced).
