Knowledge & Learning

SDG councils, commissions and similar advisory bodies perform a compass function for their governments, provide a permanent whole-of-society engagement process, substantially support making sustainable development a public issue of vital importance, and can be a source of innovation, as well as a marketplace of ideas.

Please find our studies on diverse governance mechanisms and the potential for building multi-stakeholder advisory bodies for sustainable development below:

UNITE TO IGNITE: Accelerating the transformational power of partnerships for the SDGs and beyond

This report recommends steps to create an enabling environment for more, and more effective, partnerships for the SDGs. It provides evidence on what is required, with practical, proven ideas for each level of partnering, from individual to system-wide.
- Report: UNITE TO IGNITE: Accelerating the transformational power of partnerships for the SDGs and beyond (PDF, 4.34 MB) (opens in a new window). (This PDF may not be accessible)
- Case studies (PDF, 1.94 MB) (opens in a new window). (This PDF may not be accessible)
Pieces of a puzzle, Part II: further steps on a journey (March 2022)

A follow up study on the potential for greater use of multi-stakeholder advisory bodies for achieving the 2030 Agenda. It examines the same issues as the Part I for another set of nations.It provides an overview on stakeholder landscapes and engagement…
Pieces of a puzzle, Part I: towards national sustainable development advisory bodies (July 2021)

An initial study of the potential for multi-stakeholder advisory bodies to play a greater role in achieving the 2030 Agenda.It provides an understanding of the ‘pieces of a puzzle’ needed by national multi-stakeholder platforms (MSP) working on sustainable…

Global Forum learning note: VNR country peer review processes and the experiences of Global Forum members

In July, members of the Global Forum convened at Scandinavia House in New York for a side event during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).The meeting focused on the Voluntary National Review (VNR) country peer review process. Key insights from this…
- GF_learning_note_on_VNRs_-_HLPF_2024.pdf (PDF, 199.03 KB) (opens in a new window). (This PDF may not be accessible)
Checklist: How national governments can promote partnerships

This checklist provides suggestions for government partners on what they can do to promote multi-stakeholder partnerships for the SDGs, and practical ideas as to how they can do this.
- Checklist: How national governments can promote partnerships (PDF, 296.38 KB) (opens in a new window). (This PDF may not be accessible)
How to use multi-stakeholder advisory bodies to support an inclusive approach to VNRs and VLRs

The guide aims to inspire Global Forum members, and other organisations that are supporting Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). 'How to use multi-stakeholder advisory bodies to support an inclusive approach to VNRs and VLRs'…
- How to... support VNRs and VLRs (PDF, 229.63 KB) (opens in a new window). (This PDF may not be accessible)

Global Forum Network Meeting 2022 – national SDG advisory bodies calling to action

Following its founding during the UN SDG Summit in September 2019 and its first network meeting in 2020, a second network meeting of the Global Forum for National SDG Advisory Bodies was held in Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2022.
- EN: Global Forum Network Meeting 2022 - National SDG Advisory Bodies calling to action (PDF, 3.89 MB) (opens in a new window). (This PDF may not be accessible)
Useful materials for SDG advisory bodies

Many members of the Global Forum take the form of multi-stakeholder partnerships. The Knowledge Centre of The Partnering Initiative, acting as the secretariat of the Global Forum, offers a range of valuable resources for the network’s members. The following…

Knowledge & Learning

Studies

UNITE TO IGNITE: Accelerating the transformational power of partnerships for the SDGs and beyond

Pieces of a puzzle, Part II: further steps on a journey (March 2022)

Pieces of a puzzle, Part I: towards national sustainable development advisory bodies (July 2021)

Guidelines

Global Forum learning note: VNR country peer review processes and the experiences of Global Forum members

Checklist: How national governments can promote partnerships

How to use multi-stakeholder advisory bodies to support an inclusive approach to VNRs and VLRs

Other reports

Global Forum Network Meeting 2022 – national SDG advisory bodies calling to action

Useful materials for SDG advisory bodies