With the 2030 Agenda in its early stages of implementation, this year’s national voluntary review process primarily focused on how countries are preparing for and managing their transition towards achieving the set goals and targets. The HLPF provided an opportunity for countries to exchange experiences and share lessons regarding the initial steps towards implementation.

The event took place in the margins of the ministerial segment and it was hosted by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), in cooperation with UN-Energy. Drawing on national voluntary reviews that were presented this year, the event focused on how countries are approaching SDG7 implementation at the national level. The event was also meant to share thoughts and lessons on the role of national voluntary reviews as a tool for highlighting progress, challenges and opportunities towards advancing SDG7.

Programme Overview:

Opening Remarks
Mr. Li Yong, Director General of UNIDO

Keynote Address
Ms. Rachel Kyte, CEO of SEforAll and Special Representative of the Secretary-
General for Sustainable Energy for All

Panel: Sharing lessons from national voluntary reviews in regards to SDG7
Member States Presentations
H.E. Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Environment and Energy, Maldives
Dr. Mohamed El Sobki, Chairman, New and Renewable Energy Authority, Egypt
Dr. Patrick Birungi, Director of Development Planning, National Planning
Authority, Uganda
Mr. Inge Herman Rydland, Special Representative for the 2030 Agenda, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Ms. Stefanie Schmid-Luebbert, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Germany to
the United Nations

Discussion
Reflections and discussion: Role of national voluntary reviews moving forward
Mr. Ivan Vera, Secretary of UN-Energy
Ms. Susan Alzner, Head of UN-NGLS New York