The Government of Nigeria has presented its 2nd Voluntary National Review on Sustainable Development to United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Monday, 13th July at 3:20pm GMT+1.
President Muhammadu Buhari GCON was represented at the occasion by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire while briefing the media shortly after the virtual presentation she said, Nigeria 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on the key issues of poverty (SDGs – 1) and an inclusive economy (SDGs – 8), health and wellbeing (SDGs – 3)
She said Education (SDGs-4), Gender Equality (SDGs – 5) and the Enabling Environment of Peace and Security (SDGs – 16) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDGs – 17) are Government priorities and are working assiduously to achieve, adding that, this focus is based on Nigeria’s current development priorities and the development objectives of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.
The SSAP-SDGs said the VNR was developed while facing huge challenges from the COVID-19 Pandemic testing Nigeria’s public health systems and the collapse in oil prices for an economy still getting 86% of pubic revenue from oil and gas.
She commended the Government of President Muhammadu Bahuri for striving hard in all aspects of development despite the current challenges.
Nigeria is one of the 47 VNR that reported this year, the list also includes 26 first time presenters, 20 second time presenters and 1 third time presenter. The reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels were all inclusive, country – led and country – driven.
Nigeria she said was also, among the 44 countries of the United Nation that presented its Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2017 on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at HLPF.
The VNRs aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize Multi – Stakeholder support and Partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.
The HLPF is the main United Nations platform on Sustainable Development and it has a central role in the follow – up and review of the 2030 Agenda for SDGs at the Global level.
The forum receives and considers Voluntary National Review Reports from selected countries.
This year, the meeting of the HLPF on SDGs is conveyed Virtually under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, held from Tuesday, 7 July, to Thursday, 16 July 2020, including a 3-day Ministerial meeting of the forum from Tuesday, 14th July, to Thursday, 16 July 2020. The theme is “Accelerated Action and Transformative Pathways: realizing the Decade of Action and delivery for Sustainable Development.
The SSAP shortly after she presented Nigeria’s report met with the media at the OSSAP-SDGs Conference room and unveiled the report.
Janet McDickson
Head Communications SDGs / DD Information.
