Release of Australia's Voluntary National Review 2018

On 15 June 2018 at Banksia Ignite in Sydney, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced the release of Australia’s first Voluntary National Review (VNR), a report on the nation’s progress towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Australia will present the report at the UN High Level Political Forum in July.

The report addresses how Australia is performing against each of the goals and includes case studies of activities currently undertaken to achieve them. These activities include government initiatives and efforts from business, civil society, academia and youth.

SDSN Australia/Pacific and our Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) are pleased to have supported the reporting process through our coordination of sector consultations and collection of case studies from universities and youth sectors. The report acknowledged our substantial contribution to the review, and referred to several of our initiatives, including the University Commitment to the SDGs, the Getting started with the SDGs in Universities guide, and co-hosting the 2nd Australian SDGs Summit alongside ACFID, ACOSS, GCNA and UNAA.

At the event, the Minister also launched the Australian Sustainable Development Goals website, a dedicated platform for showcasing projects that are helping Australia deliver on the SDGs. Case study submissions to the website can be made here.

Australia’s Voluntary National Review is a significant step in affirming the country’s commitment to the SDGs, but more urgency is required to move beyond “business as usual”, in order to meet the targets by 2030. SDSN Australia/Pacific will continue working actively with our members to support and accelerate action towards the goals.