The Report entitled ‘Inclusive Transformation Towards a Sustainably Developed Nation for All’ was presented to the Forum by Ambassador Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka. Thereafter, a discussion with member states and civil society organizations followed.

It was noted that despite the economic constraints currently faced, Sri Lanka has made significant progress in achieving the SDGs compared to the countries in the region. The Report contained details on the methodology adopted in the VNR process; examined how national and regional levels have evolved to undertake ownership of SDG implementation; analysed how the SDG targets have been integrated into national policies and strategies; highlighted Sri Lanka’s progress in achieving its SDG targets under 7 key thematic areas; outlines strategies for resource mobilization towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; and elaborates on how the country could build back better as a sustainable and an inclusive nation, while presenting strategies on the way forward.

Forty four countries carried out VNRs at the HLPF this year which had in-depth review on Sustainable Development Goal 4: quality education, Goal 5: on gender equality, Goal 14: life below water, Goal 15: life on land and Goal 17: partnerships.

The Forum also considered the different impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across all SDGs and its implementation and the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Goals, under the theme ‘Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’

The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

New York