Document 3:3 (2020-2021) / Published Investigation of the management and review of the national follow-up of the sustainable development goals.
The investigation reveals that the national follow-up from the Norwegian government has lacked both coordination and a comprehensive plan for implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and that the quality of information to the Storting on status and progress has been insufficient.
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Key findings
- The national follow-up of the sustainable development goals has not been coordinated effectively enough
- Norway does not have a comprehensive plan for implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals
- Statistics Norway has been involved to an inadequate extent in work with the sustainable development goals
- Reporting does not provide information of sufficient quality to the Storting on the status and progress of the national follow-up of the sustainable development goals
Recommendations
The Office of the Auditor General notes that as of 1 January 2020, the Minister of Local Government and Modernisation has been assigned responsibility for coordinating national work on the sustainable development goals. The Office of the Auditor General recommends that the Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation should:
- Follow up on the Storting's anticipation of a comprehensive plan for implementation of national work on the sustainable development goals.
- Ensure that the Storting receives comprehensive information on status, results and progress in Norway's work on the sustainable development goals.
- Ensure that indicator-based performance reporting takes place that is coordinated effectively with other statistics.
- Ensure that national work on the sustainable development goals is coordinated sufficiently and effectively between the ministries.
- Adapt the agenda to national context, for example by assessing which targets should be established and clarifying which goals are challenging for Norway to attain and prioritise.
Background and objectives of the investigation
Norway, together with all other UN member states, has endorsed resolution A/RES/70/01 Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda). The 2030 Agenda, which contains the 17 sustainable development goals, is the world's joint work plan for ending poverty, combating inequality and stopping climate change before 2030.
The 2030 Agenda makes it clear that the governments of the individual countries are responsible for following up and ensuring implementation at national, regional and global levels.
The objective of the investigation has been to assess the Norwegian government's management and review of the national follow-up of the sustainable development goals. The investigation relates to the period from 2016 to the start of 2020.