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  4. Mainstreaming SDGs Into National Policies, Plans and Strategies and Integrating The Three Dimensions of Sustainable Development

Mainstreaming SDGs into national policies, plans and strategies and integrating the three dimensions of sustainable development

For the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, their inclusion and mainstreaming into national policies, plans and strategies will be crucial. Without a doubt, the fulfilment of the pledge to “leave no one behind” will also depend on how well the ones furthest behind will be taken into account when drafting the required policies and plans. The concepts of mainstreaming sustainable development into national plans and mainstreaming global policy frameworks into national strategies are not novel notions, as has been demonstrated by the experiences of national sustainable development plans and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and many lessons can be learnt from these.

As noted in the 2030 Agenda, each country needs to take into account their national realities and circumstances, and hence no one size fits all countries in regard to the mainstreaming process. It is important to remember that prior to the adoption of the SDGs governments have had existing policy objectives and commitments that are articulated in a variety of national and sectoral strategies and plans, as well as in commitments to international agreements. However, three typical steps that can apply for many types of countries in initial SDG mainstreaming include:

1. Review of existing strategies and plans and identification of areas for change: to scan and detail the landscape of existing strategies and plans at the national, sub-national and local levels and then compare against the global SDGs and targets to identify gaps and provide the basis for areas for change; 2. Setting of nationally-relevant targets: for nationally-adapted and inclusive SDGs that are achievable, yet ambitious; and 3. Formulation of strategy and plans using integrated systems thinking: to incorporate the recommendations and the insights from the above steps into strategies and plans and matching ambition and commitments with resources and capacities.

The theme of the HLPF this year is “Ensuring that no one is left behind” and the 2030 Agenda states that all countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will implement this plan. In this spirit, some Member States have decided to include stakeholders as part of their national SDG mainstreaming process, including hearings and participation in tailoring of national targets, plans and policies.

The mainstreaming of the SDGs is a complex endeavour. This session aims to provide a space for the Member States and other stakeholders to exchange their views on the success stories and challenges faced in the early implementation of the SDGs at the national level and their integration into policies, plans and strategies. It aims to draw upon the lessons learnt from both the previous gains made in integrated policy-making nationally and from the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

Possible questions for discussion:

  1. What policies, coordination mechanisms and plans have countries put into place in order to integrate the SDGs into their national plans?
  2. What are the main challenges for integrated policy-making, and what institutional structures at national level work well to foster policy coherence?
  3. How can the global community support the national mainstreaming of the SDGs?

12 For example Mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Reference Guide, United Nation Development Group, Available at: https://undg.org/main/undg_document/mainstreaming-the-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development-interim-reference-guide-to-uncts/

Chair:

  • H.E. Mr. Sven Jürgenson, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN and Vice President of ECOSOC

Moderator:

  • Mr. Nick Ishmael Perkins, Director of SciDev.net

Panellists:

  • H.E. Mr. Koichi Aiboshi, Assistant Vice-Minister for Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
  • Mr. Joseph Enyimu, Economist at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda
  • Ms. Wardarina, Programme Officer from Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development/part of Women Major Group/Co-Chair of Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism

Lead discussants:

  • Mr. Izzet Ari, Head of Department, Environment and Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Development, Turkey
  • Ms. Eili Lepik, Adviser on sustainable development issues at the Strategy Unit, Government Office, Estonia
  • Mr. Olivier Brochenin, Director of the Development Policy Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France
  • Ms. Stine Lise Hattestad Bratsberg, CEO of PURE Consulting