Voluntary National Reviews are intended to help countries assess progress, identify gaps and strengthen implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

But reviews can only generate accountability when they include evidence that is independent, grounded in communities’ experiences and able to challenge official narratives where necessary. 

During the 2026 UN High-Level Political Forum, Forus members representing national civil society platforms from Mozambique, Tanzania and Norway brought precisely this perspective into the global discussion. 

While their national contexts differ significantly, their messages converged around a common theme: achieving the 2030 Agenda requires stronger accountability, more inclusive decision making, better implementation and a greater willingness to confront the gaps between commitments and realities. 

Mozambique 

Pedro Muiambo, Director of Programmes at JOINT—the League of NGOs in Mozambique - speaking on behalf of 28 civil society organisations working across all eleven provinces of Mozambique, presented findings from the Activist’s Scorecard, an independent civil society assessment of the country’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda. 

Its conclusion was direct: on its current trajectory, Mozambique is not on track to achieve the SDGs. The assessment identified regression in critical areas, including climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions, and decent work. Progress across many other goals remains limited or stagnant and behind these findings are interconnected national realities. 

Climate-related disasters repeatedly destroy livelihoods, infrastructure and development gains. Conflict in northern Mozambique has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and continues to weaken social and economic progress. Corruption diverts limited public resources and undermines confidence in institutions. At the same time, restrictions on civic space make it harder for civil society to monitor implementation, raise concerns and contribute to more inclusive public policy. 

JOINT acknowledged opportunities for dialogue with the Government and recent efforts to strengthen national development planning. But concrete progress requires transparency, accountability and the meaningful participation of communities and civil society throughout implementation—not only their presence during reporting exercises. 

Tanzania 

In Tanzania, civil society organisations used the Voluntary National Review process, represented by Martina Mnenegwa Kabisama of the Tanzania Association of Non-Governmental Organizations - TANGO - to highlight the importance of moving beyond reporting towards implementation. While recognising progress in infrastructure, public services, investment and national planning, Tanzanian civil society stressed that development must ultimately be measured by whether people can access decent work, quality education, healthcare, justice, clean water and meaningful participation in public decision-making. 

Their intervention identified five priorities for the final years of the 2030 Agenda: stronger implementation and review mechanisms, inclusive opportunities for young people and marginalised groups, investment that generates decent work and local value creation, sustainable financing for key sectors, and stronger protections for justice, civic space and fundamental freedoms. 

Norway 

In Norway, more than 60 civil society organisations led by ForUM contributed to a collaborative assessment accompanying the country's Voluntary National Review. Civil society welcomed the government's inclusion of stakeholder perspectives in the official report and acknowledged that several key sustainability challenges were openly recognised. 

At the same time, Norwegian organisations argued that progress remains too slow and insufficiently coordinated. Persistent inequalities, biodiversity loss, high levels of resource consumption, inadequate climate action and weak policy coherence continue to undermine sustainable development outcomes. Civil society emphasised that Norway's challenges are not primarily due to a lack of resources or capacity, but rather to political choices, implementation gaps and policy incoherence. 

What Voluntary National Reviews' participation should achieve 

Across all three countries, civil society organisations highlighted a similar call to action: progress depends on whether policies are implemented, resources are allocated effectively and governments remain accountable to the people they serve. 

National civil society organisations bring evidence that official data systems may overlook. They connect national trends with the lived experiences of communities. They identify where implementation is failing and why. They can also propose solutions grounded in local knowledge and practice. Civil society evidence should not simply sit alongside a government presentation: it should influence priorities, budgets, policy decisions and follow-up mechanisms. 

But the value of this participation depends on what happens next. Recommendations must lead to a visible response, and subsequent reviews should show what action was taken. 

Common priorities across countries