The VNR-VLR studio “Evidence-based approaches to the development of SDG Voluntary Local Reviews: experiences and best practices” was organized as a side event to the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE region, with both in-person and online participation.

The VNR-VLR Studio was organized by the UNECE Forests, Land and Housing Division in cooperation with UN DESA, UN-Habitat and UCLG, the partners in the project “Voluntary local reviews: evidence for greener, resilient, and sustainable urban recovery in Eastern European and Central Asian countries in transition”; University of Geneva; and with support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which together with UN-Habitat is part of the secretariat of the UN for Smart Sustainable Cities Initiative (U4SSC). 

The VNR-VLR Studio provided an opportunity for a dialogue between local and national governments and implementing partners in the UNECE regions on how the evidence-based approach helps to accelerate achieving the SDGs on the local level. 

The participants shared experiences with the collection and use of local data for the development of VLRs and smart sustainable cities profiles and for evidence-based policymaking in city action plans. Based on the Studio discussion, recommendations will be formulated for more effective processes of data collection and utilization.