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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Voluntary National Review 2020

Main Message of the VNR 
Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Introduction

St. Vincent and the Grenadines focuses its development plans on being a country that is diverse, modern, internationally competitive and committed to the social development of its people and environmental sustainability. The country’s vision of “Improving the Quality of Life for All Vincentians” is built on the principle of putting people at the centre of its development and this is aligned with the SDGs and elaborated in the country’s National Economic and Social Development Plan (2013-2025).

The country’s vision is further elaborated through five interrelated development goals that place emphasis on ensuring a better quality of life for all through the re-engineering economic growth; enabling increased human and social development; promoting good governance and increasing the effectiveness of public administration; improving physical infrastructure, preserving the environment and building resilience to climate change; and building national pride, identity and culture.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Development Pathway in the Context of the SDGs

The commitment to the SDGs is operationalized through the National Economic and Social Development Plan, which aligns the country ’s development objectives with related global sustainable development goals and targets. This integration represents a first and critical step to localizing the SDGs.  A Rapid Integrated Assessment (RIA) of the country’s planning framework highlights that this Small Island Developing State currently has 62 per cent of all planning/policy documents aligned with the SDGs and accompanying targets.  

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Governance and Institutional Framework for the Implementation of SDGs

The Government recognizes that an institutional mechanism is necessary to facilitate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs.  Government ministries and agencies are responsible for the alignment of all policies and key programmes with the Agenda 2030 framework. These policies facilitate integrated assessment of the pace of the progress in realizing the SDGs, alongside local development objectives.

In regard to the 113 SDG targets that were found to be applicable to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Statistical Office was tasked with creating mechanisms for data mining of these indictors so that the monitoring and evaluation framework for SDG implementation can be completed to facilitate better tracking, reporting and analysis of progress.

The advancement of Agenda 2030 will be underpinned by extensive stakeholder consultations and involvement. Although political commitment to the SDGs is high, it is recognized that SDG implementation requires a holistic approach involving the public and private sector, NGOs, CSOs, the media and, importantly, the involvement of youth – as future leaders. A focus has therefore been placed on continuing to strengthen mechanisms to enhance participation of all stakeholders to achieving the SDGs.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ First Voluntary National Review

The VNR illustrates how national processes are shaping the advancement of the SDGs in the country as well as the challenges being faced – including financing gaps – in implementing these goals, how these challenges are being addressed, and how progress is being tracked towards achievement of the SDG targets. The preparation of the report, at the time of a global pandemic emphasizes how not only current known vulnerabilities but also new and emerging global issues can suddenly impact the development trajectory of countries, and further highlights the challenges and opportunities that must be considered for the achievement of Agenda 2030. As a country with a strong ethos on inclusiveness, the VNR preparation required innovative solutions as the country battles issues related to mitigating mechanisms as a result of the covid 19 pandemic – heightening the role of technology in accomplishing these goals.

The concept of “leaving no one behind” fully resonates with the country’s development pathway as it targets issues related to reducing inequalities, eliminating all forms of poverty and empowering women and youth.  While notable strides have been made, it is also recognised that there is much to be accomplished. Agenda 2030 provides a clear guide to enabling the advancement of development around the five principles of the Agenda (5Ps) – people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. Prior to the adoption of Agenda 2030, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had already began a cohesive process of implementing measures to build a sustainable society through environmental, economic and social improvements underpinned by good governance and, despite challenges, the country remains fully committed to this task for the benefit of future generations.

Focal point
Nedra Miguel
Counselor

Documents & Reports

National Reports

Partnerships & Commitments
The below is a listing of all partnership initiatives and voluntary commitments where Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is listed as a partner or lead entity in the Partnerships for SDGs online platform
Barbados Declaration - Voluntary Commitment by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

1. Reduce projected increase in peak demand by 5% by 2015 and 10% by 2010 an strive to reduce power losses down to a total of 7% by 2015 and 5% by 2020 2. Deliver 30% of projected total electricity output from Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by 2015 and 60% by 2020 3. Increase energy security and diversify the energy portfolio 4. Reduce projected consumption of fossil fuels in the transport sector by 10% by 2015 and 15 % by 2020 5. Reduce projected electricity generation by 5% by 2012 and 15% by 2020

Partners
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in partnership with the Governments of Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and UNDP.
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI)

The Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) is an historic conservation initiative that brings together for the first time governments, companies and partners to accelerate action on conservation in the Caribbean. Together, the 9 participating countries and territories have committed to conserve at least 20% of nearshore and coastal environments in marine protected areas by 2020 with the help of private and public sector partners. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund has been established to support achievement of the CCI commitments by 2020.

Partners
8 island nations — Bahamas; Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Saint Vincent and Grenadines; Saint Lucia; Grenada; Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Kitts and Nevis. Sponsored by Private sectors and country governments.
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) Ban

The Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines announced a ban on the importation of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food service products with effect from 1st May, 2017. At the same time, he announced the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on biodegradable alternatives with a view to lowering the cost of more environmentally positive substitutes and to reduce the adverse effects of plastics on the environment. Under the new legislation, importers have up to 90 days after 1st May, 2017 to receive all orders placed before that date and all sale and use of Styrofoam food service products ...[more]

Partners
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce; Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment; Central Water and Sewerage Authority - Solid Waste Management Unit; Customs & Excise; SVG Bureau of Standards
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Fisheries Conservation in the Wider Caribbean Region through FAO's Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC)

The general objective of the Commission is to promote the effective conservation, management and development of the living marine resources of the area of competence of the Commission, in accordance with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and address common problems of fisheries management and development faced by members of the Commission. 16 of WECAFC's 35 members are considered small island developing States.

Partners
Member governments: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, France, European Community, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United S...[more]
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
IWECO - Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States

The Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (GEF-IWEco Project) is a five-year multi-focal area regional project that will be financed from (i) country GEF STAR allocations under Land Degradation and Biodiversity portfolios for national interventions and supported by (ii) funding from the GEF International Waters and Sustainable Forest Management portfolios for regional-level actions. A total of ten Caribbean countries will be participating in the project.

Partners
Antigua & Barbuda; Cuba; Barbados; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Jamaica; Saint Kitts & Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad & Tobago with the support of GEF, UNEP , UNDP, CARPHA, CAR/RCU
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership

The Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) is designed to strengthen the capacity of countries in the Caribbean to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies, as prioritised in their Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). These technologies will help reduce the dependence on fossil fuel imports, setting the region on a low-emission development path; as well as improve the region’s ability to respond to climate risks and opportunities in the long-run, through resilient development approaches that go beyond disa...[more]

Partners
Government of Japan, United Nations Development Programme, Governments of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, Belize and the Republic of Suriname, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, University of West Indies, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Lighthouses Initiative

IRENA has developed the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative to support the strategic deployment of renewable energy in SIDS, to bring clarity to policy makers regarding the required steps, and to enable targeted action. As a joint effort of SIDS and development partners, this framework for action will assist in transforming SIDS energy systems through the establishment of the enabling conditions for a renewable energy-based future, by moving away from developing projects in isolation to a holistic approach that considers all relevant elements spanning from policy and market frameworks, through technol...[more]

Partners
Antigua and Barbuda, Mauritius, Bahamas, Nauru, Barbados, Palau, Cabo Verde, Samoa, Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cook Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Fiji, Seychelles, Grenada, Solomon Islands, Guyana, Tonga, Kiribati, Trinidad and Tobago, Maldives, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, ENEL, New Zealand, European Union, Norway, France, SE4ALL, Germany, ...[more]
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations