JOINT FOREWORD
As we approach the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the global COVID19 pandemic, conflicts, impacts of climate change, disasters and other crises have set back progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and reversed human development for the first time in decades.
Amidst these multiple challenges, solutions and innovative strategies from the global South have and are delivering lasting results around the world. South-South and triangular cooperation – among countries facing similar challenges – continues to make a meaningful difference in countries’ COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery, including toward achieving our overarching goal of eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions.
South-South and triangular cooperation are a valuable catalyst in galvanizing political will and in enhancing know- how to implement the much needed economic and social reforms to rescue the SDGs. Recognizing this, countries are increasingly integrating South-South and triangular cooperation in the preparation and presentation of their voluntary national reviews (VNRs).
The integration of South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives in the VNRs helps in tracking progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda more comprehensively and inclusively, and generating valuable evidence of South- South and triangular cooperation contributions toward achieving the SDGs.
The Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of VNRs and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) are committed to supporting developing countries in integrating South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives into the preparation and presentation of their VNRs. With this handbook, the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of VNRs and UNOSSC are jointly responding to the 2022 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Ministerial Declaration and the latest intergovernmental resolutions on South-South cooperation. The handbook provides step- by-step guidance, drawing from good practices, and examples, on integrating South-South and triangular cooperation in the preparation and presentation of VNRs. It was developed in close collaboration with Member States, UN Entities and relevant stakeholders. The handbook also complements the existing proposal of the Secretary-General for voluntary common reporting guidelines for VNRs at the High-Level Political Forum, the UN DESA Handbook for the Preparation of VNRs, and other VNR resource packages.
We take this opportunity to thank Ms. Leila Lora Santos and Mr. Dennis Bregala from Permanent Mission of the Philippines to United Nations, Mrs. Meriem El Hilali and Ms. Meryem Hamdouni of the Permanent Mission of Morocco to United Nations, for their valuable support during all stages of the preparation of this handbook, including organizing consultations with and gathering feedback from Member States. We are grateful to Mr. Bhushan Shrestha at United Nations Office for South- South Cooperation for his leadership and coordination of the development of the handbook in a highly consultative manner. Special thanks also go to Ms. Pytrik Oosterhof, Senior Sustainable Development Consultant at O-Land Consulting for her dedicated research and content development work in close collaboration with stakeholders. We extend our gratitude also to Member States, UNRCs, ECA, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, ESCWA, PAHO, FAO, IAEA, ILO, UNDESA, UNDP, UNIDO, UNOSSC, and other UN entities for their valuable inputs during the development of the handbook.
H.E. Mr. Antonio Manuel Revilla Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of Philippines to the United Nations; Co-Chair of Group of Friends of Voluntary National Reviews
H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations; Co-Chair of Group of Friends of Voluntary National Reviews
Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation
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