04/04/2022

Applying Insights from The UPR Process to Improve Reporting on SDG 16

Applying Insights from the UPR  Process to Improve Reporting on SDG16

As part of the 2021 Geneva Peace Week, UPR Info together with DCAF and WFUNA held a roundtable discussion aimed at drawing lessons from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and how they could help improve reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). In particular, the event focused on the crucial role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in these two processes.

During the webinar, speakers reiterated the crucial role of CSOs in enhancing the two reporting processes. Civil society is key in making citizens’ voices, including those of marginalized and vulnerable groups, heard. Their contributions can relate to many different aspects of the review, including the reporting itself, but also raising awareness and advocating on specific issues, as well as in monitoring the follow-up process. Thus, CSOs’ contributions are important throughout the review process, including before and during the review, but also in the implementation and follow-up. As both reporting processes rely on a multistakeholder participation, the webinar also highlighted the role of academia as a key actor within civil society, and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) – which often have civil society representation built-in and can help bridge concerns between civil society and governments. Both stakeholders also perform a critical function in providing data to inform the review processes.

To read the full report of the event, visit this page. 

Some useful tools on this topic:

DIHR has produced a report on “Leveraging Human Rights Mechanisms to Improve SDG Follow-up and Review” and a data explorer on SDGs and Human Rights

Applying Insights from The UPR Process to Improve Reporting on SDG 16 (GENEVA PEACE WEEK 2021)