Preparation of a national report is one of the building blocks of #NFUR00 - National follow up and review - #asd79 as described in the UNDG Guidelines to support country reporting.

The guidelines write about it:

  • National reports on the SDGs are key elements of the national review process. Reports can identify gaps in implementation, including in data and strategies, as well as policy challenges, trade-offs, and emerging global, regional and national issues. Reports should not just describe trends in indicators; they should analyse underlying causes behind the trends, and offer policy suggestions to overcome obstacles and deal with emerging challenges.
  • The following structure is suggested for a national SDG report:
    • Introduction: This can set the context, state the purpose, describe the structure and provide a summary overview.
    • Tracking progress: This can identify where the country is on track, slow or falling behind in achieving national targets; compare national progress with that of countries at a similar stage of development and circumstances; and assess national progress in light of the global targets.
    • Assessing means of implementation: This section can assess means of implementation—such as domestic resource mobilization, external resource flows of different kinds, access to external markets, access to technology and lifeAsaving medicines, etc.—as well as the overall domestic and global economic environment. In particular, the section can examine how integrated the means of implementation are, relate them to the extent of progress, and discuss impacts from the domestic and external economic environment.
    • Analysing thematic issues: In light of the integrated and indivisible nature of the SDGs, this section can cover thematic issues with crossAcutting implications—such as inequality and discrimination, gender equality, the situation of children and youth, peace, climate change, food security, the data revolution, people’s participation, poverty, etc.—and relate global/regional issues to the national context.
    • Evaluating policies and strategies: This section can scrutinize policy gaps and deficits in national strategies, especially in terms of their integration of different elements of the 2030 Agenda and emphasis on targeting those furthest behind. It may draw on lessons from other countries facing similar development stages and circumstances.
    • Concluding with recommendations: This final section can synthesize findings and offer possible policy options and strategies to accelerate progress.
    • Statistical annexes: These can include basic data, their sources and definitions (metadata), as well as discussions of methodologies. A section assessing data availability and discussing plans to work on data gaps can also be optionally included.

Further reading: UNDG Guidelines to Support Country Reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals

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#NFUR01 - Preparation of a national SDG Report in the tree of 2030 Agenda Review Framework: