SDGs Local Implementation: What Comes after the 1st (initial) VLR?
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Description
SDGs Local Implementation: What Comes after the 1st (initial) VLR?
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Over the past years, Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSRs) have become an increasingly important instrument for cities and regions to work on SDGs, to “translate” them into the local and subnational dimension. Many local and regional governments have successfully completed their first VLR, demonstrating political commitment, strengthening data systems, and enhancing their national and international visibility. Some have used their own resources, others have been guided, helped and supported by UN agencies and/or networks, and hence political and substantive involvement have been the key for the strength and pertinence of VLRs everywhere. However, and as a natural continuation of the roundtables during the RFSD tackling VLRs and VNRs connections and synergies, a critical question remains: 👉 What comes after the initial/first VLR? Even in contexts of great political and stakeholders support, without a fixed internal or international follow-up/implementation process VLRs risk of remaining a stand-alone reporting exercise rather than becoming a driver of implementation, investment, and multi-level policy alignment.
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Date: 22 April 2026
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Objectives of the event
The UNECE Regional Forum provides a timely platform to move the discussion beyond first-generation VLRs and toward second-generation implementation pathways.
The event will aim to:
- Identify implementation pathways following a first VLR.
- Explore financing strategies to operationalize VLR priorities.
- Examine how cities can institutionalize continuous VLR cycles.
- Strengthen vertical follow-up between local governments and national VNR processes.
- Foster horizontal follow-up through city networks and peer learning.
- Encourage cross-regional exchange among UN Regional Commissions and partners.
Agenda
Opening segment (13:15-13:30)
Welcome by the Global Cities Hub
Remarks by Tea Aulavuo – Secretary to the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, UNECE
Panel (13:30-14:10): From First VLR to Implementation & Investment
- Yves Zimmerman – Director of the 2030 Agenda project, City and Eurometropolis of Strasbourg (France)
- Pascal Rapillard – Head of External Affairs and Communication, City of Geneva (Switzerland)
- Representative of Switzerland
- Aline Machado Da Matta – Head of Geneva Office, UN-Habitat
Moderated by the Global Cities Hub
Interactive Exchange (14:10-14:30)
Closing Remarks (14:30-14:40)
Registration
Please register here for the online event.