Welcome to the United Nations
Introduction
The Government of Grenada (GoG) signaled its commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, driven by the sustainable development goals (SDGs), through the development of its long-term National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP), 2020-2035. Developed with the full involvement of the people of Grenada and other key stakeholders, including the public and private sectors and the civil society. Grenada’s main messages in the VNR include strong buy-in and national ownership embedded in the principle of: ‘no one left behind’ as the country moves towards ‘realizing its full potential through sustainable economic, social and environmental progress for all’; policy and the enabling environment which includes: alignment with the NSDP, engagement with the SDGs; structural problems, challenges; and next steps.
Alignment with Grenada’s NSDP Strategic Framework
The NSDP represents Grenada’s commitment to inclusive governance, which is supported by the three national goals:
- High human and social development: putting people at the center of sustainable development; Vibrant, dynamic, competitive economy with supporting climate-and-resilient infrastructure Environmental sustainability and security;
- Vibrant, dynamic, competitive economy with supporting climate-and-resilient infrastructure; and
- Environmental sustainability and security
Policy and Enabling Environment
The Government of Grenada’s long-term NSDP, and the Medium-Term Action Plan (MTAP) 2020-2022 serves as the first stage of implementing the NSDP, which is built on the key pillars of sustainable development: economy, society and environment, and supports eight national outcomes; three strategic goals and the Vision 2035.
The alignment of the SDGs with the national goals and outcomes and strategic actions is captured in the NSDP. All seventeen (17) SDGs are addressed by the two hundred and seventeen (217) strategic actions that were identified to drive the development vision 2035 for Grenada.
Engagement with the SDGs
Grenada has also embarked on a data-driven approach to measuring progress towards the SDGs spearheaded by the Central Statistical Office (CSO). As it relates to analysis and reporting, from 2020-2021 data was gathered and reported using each of the 17 SDGs and Grenada’s National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2020-2035.
Structural Problems/Challenges
Grenada’s progress with the SDGs demonstrates its commitment to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. However, key challenges and structural issues will need to address to ensure the country is on a pathway to sustainable development, driven by the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. These structural issues and challenges include:
- Lack of adequate financing & access to finance: resources are desperately needed to implement projects and programs that will enhance progress with meeting the SDGs. Alignment of the annual Budget Projects to the different SDGs.
- Limited individual capacity – is great need for increased technical expertise: Qualified individuals with the skill sets, knowledge base and experience in a myriad of areas, including project identification, development, management, and implementation.
- Inadequate Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Systems- need for proper M&E system to generate record and analyze data. Grenada’s 2020-2021 SDG Progress Review Report was done using international data sources with many SDGs unable to be assessed due to the unavailability of information and lack of tools to capture the requisite data.
- Reduction in GDP – narrow fiscal space for the introduction of sustainable economic and transformational programs and to address the regression experienced due to the shock generated by COVID-19.
- Reallocation of funding to COVID-19 initiatives - as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Grenada had to reallocate funds to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Economic shock & increased unemployment - Grenada is challenged by a relatively high youth unemployment rate and also among females. Moreover, as the country continues to grapple with the economic fall-out due the COVID-19 pandemic, this rate may rise going forward, which would serve as a significant barrier to achieving SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) overall and attainting some of its specific targets.
Next Steps
The Government of Grenada has pledged to continue to work on a goals-based development pathway, by:
· integrating the SDGs into its national plan as the starting point for their implementation;
· collection of data that can strengthen strategies for the attainment of the SDGs;
· development of projects to facilitate the achievement of the SDGs;
· restructuring of projects and reallocation of funds that can lead to the attainment of SDGs
