DESA Division for Sustainable Development will organize an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on 25 and 26 March 2017 in Bogota, Colombia to provide an opportunity for MGoS, along with invited experts and member states, to discuss how to ensure their effective participation and contribution the process of voluntary national reviews at the national level.

In particular, the EGM will provide an opportunity to discuss strategies and approaches for operationalizing the participation of national SDG implementation committees, partnering up with governments and providing expertise when requested. One of the lessons learned from the HLPF 2016 is that stakeholders could benefit from greater coordination with governments during the lead up to the HLPF. The increasing interest in the HLPF by volunteering countries highlights the importance of partnerships with local stakeholders to promote implementation, follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.

The EGM will also present an opportunity for representatives of MGoS to formulate plans for cooperation around national review processes. Through sessions focusing specifically on this critical goal, MGoS will better be able to prepare for national review processes and thus have a greater impact.

This EGM will be held immediately before the “Partners for Review” networking meeting being hosted by the Governments of Germany and Colombia in Bogota on 27 and 28 March. Therefore, this is an ideal opportunity to bring stakeholders and governments together around engagement in national review processes.