Fast-tracking action on the Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing national institutional arrangements

Abstract

Six years remain to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite some progress, institutional effectiveness for SDG achievement has not been delivered at a national level. Identification and establishment of an institutional framework to operationalise the 2030 Agenda within national plans, giving science-based coordination of SDG implementation a central role, is urgently required to accelerate progress. This paper tackles this challenge. Drawing on literature analysis, it asks: 1) What are the deficiencies in institutional national arrangements that hinder SDG implementation? 2) How can existing institutional deficiencies in SDG implementation be addressed? and 3) How can institutional changes support fast-tracking of SDG implementation processes at national level? Findings show that country-specific horizontal institutional arrangements are usually advanced. However, national visions to improve mainstreaming across decision-making at different levels to enable whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to SDG implementation are commonly under-developed. Deficiencies are due to poor systematic engagement of scientific and technical expertise in operational day-to-day communication, as well as in the design, validation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of domestic SDG-related multi-stakeholder actions. Vertical institutional arrangements are complex, and risk resource-consuming, uncoordinated implementation. Our analyses suggest countries may benefit from establishing a national, centralised independent scientific and technical coordinating body for SDG implementation at national level, within existing science-based institutional arrangements. Such a body would not be led by governmental processes but would provide technical support to government agencies. We argue that scientific and technical skills in data and information management and quality control are central to coordinated and evidence-informed support, and could help to accelerate national SDG implementation. Such a supporting body would also enable a more joined-up approach between stakeholders working in the areas of science and technology, government and practice, improving orchestrated science-based actions and their auditing across sectors and stakeholder communities at national and sub-national levels. It would further guide actions to reduce trade-offs within national sustainable development aspirations, and would facilitate consideration of diverse values in advancing towards a durable and just transformative future. Such efforts are vital given the rapidly closing window of time for SDG achievement.

Fig 1. Location of the national lead and coordination entity for SDG implementation (existing /planned).

Information sources: [16, 17].

Fig 2. Responsibility for coordinating national monitoring and review, including identification of data and indicators pertaining to the SDGs (planned / existing).

Information sources: [16, 17].

Fig 3. Graphic showing potential outcomes of a national, centralised, independent scientific and technical coordination body for implementing the SDGs and fast-tracking actions.

Sources: Fig 3 draws upon recent insights from IPBES, IPCC, and UNCCD on institutional responses to climate change (SDG 13) and unsustainable utilization and degradation of marine (SDG 14) and land resources (SDG 15), as well as experiences from Finland [50] and Taiwan [51]. Eurostat Classification -definitions of the functions of government are used to show how horizontal connectivity and mainstreaming across government divisions can be improved for environmental protection, general public services, economic affairs, and education, categorizing national functions [52] and areas of activity that support a whole-of-government approach, through a national, centralised, independent scientific and technical coordination body.

Fig 4. Schematic showing illustrative contributions that different groups could make toa national centralised, independent scientific and technical coordination body.

Indicated stakeholder contributions are not indended to be exhaustive, but rather encourage countries to further develop their contributions according to their national circumstances.