Seychelles’ 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) of the Sustainable Development Goals |24 March 2025
Adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with its seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serves as the successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The SDGs encompass 17 goals, 169 targets, and 232 indicators, focusing on key pillars of People, Planet, and Prosperity to promote sustainable and inclusive development. The SDGs have been integrated into the National Development Strategy (NDS) for 2024-2028, which was launched in April 2024. This strategy outlines six Priority Areas to steer Seychelles’ development over the medium term. These areas include: A Modern Public Service, a Transformative Economic Agenda, A Healthy Nation, A Modern Education System Aligned with Future Needs, Promotion of Law & Order, and Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change Resilience.
The Voluntary National Review (VNR) is a process through which countries evaluate and report on their progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda. As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, the 2030 Agenda encourages member states to conduct regular, inclusive, and country-led reviews of their progress. These national reviews are intended to inform the annual reviews conducted by the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF), held every July. The objectives of VNRs include: (i) Identifying successes and challenges, (ii) Highlighting gaps and best practices, (iii) Mobilizing and fostering partnerships, (iv) Coordinating and strengthening government policies and institutions, (v) Facilitating peer learning, (vi) Generating tangible lessons and solutions, and (vii) Driving the implementation of the SDGs.
Seychelles' inaugural Voluntary National Review (VNR) was conducted in 2020, covering all 17 SDGs. This process was data-driven and aligned with the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2019-2023. The 2020 VNR highlighted progress in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and climate and environmental sustainability. However, it also emphasized that Seychelles remains vulnerable to external macroeconomic shocks and global disruptions, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The review pointed out persistent data gaps that hinder the country's ability to meet reporting obligations on the SDGs and create evidence-based policies. It was also noted that there is significant potential for growth in emerging sectors. Additionally, strengthening Seychelles’ climate resilience was identified as a crucial driver for development and growth. Importantly, the report underscored the continued importance of partnerships for Seychelles' development agenda, aligning with Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The theme for the 2025 Voluntary National Reviews (VNR), as communicated by the UN is: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”. The theme emphasises the importance of evidence-based solutions. It also highlights the need to include vulnerable communities in shaping sustainable policies. Importantly, this theme encourages countries to leave no one behind and to ensure that all segments of the community are heard. The 2025 HLPF will take a closer look at progress on the following SDGs: Goal 3 (Good Health & Well-Being), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
The initial research and drafting of the VNR began in the latter half of 2024, with the National Planning Department leading the process, and overseeing the drafting of the final report. Consultations commenced in 2025, and have been wide-ranging and inclusive, involving stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and vulnerable groups. This process is being facilitated by the National Planning Department, the UN Resident Coordinators Office (UNRCO) for Seychelles and Mauritius, and the Citizens Engagement Platform of Seychelles (CEPS). A special session will be held with the National Assembly to engage Parliamentarians and gather their perspectives on SDG implementation.
The consultations have provided an opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders to gather valuable information and insights on ongoing efforts, key achievements, new developments, challenges, opportunities in the sector, the status of SDG implementation, and data availability for specific goals. These discussions also identified notable developments that may be highlighted as case studies in the VNR. Stakeholder consultations will continue through March and April.
In line with the 2020 VNR process, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is actively collecting data from stakeholders on the SDGs’ goals, targets, and indicators. Similarly, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to spearhead coordination and collaboration with UN agencies.
The VNR process is being conducted through five thematic Technical Working Groups (TWGs), as outlined below:
Technical Working Group 1: Inclusivity
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
Technical Working Group 2: GOVERNANCE
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Technical Working Group 3: HUMAN CAPITAL
- Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
Technical Working Group 4: ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES
- Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 14: Life below Water
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Technical Working Group 5: ECONOMIC GROWTH
- Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Under the guidance and support of the UNRCO, the VNR report will undergo peer review by UN agency teams. The Main Messages document will be submitted to UNDESA by late April, with the final VNR report scheduled for submission in mid-June. This will be followed by its presentation at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in July. After the presentation to the UN and the publication of the final report, ongoing stakeholder engagement and dissemination activities will take place to ensure broad outreach and continued collaboration. This process underscores the commitment to transparent, inclusive, and effective SDG implementation in Seychelles.
Figure 1: The SDGs
National Planning Department
Ministry of Finance, National Planning & Trade