The Global Forum for National SDG Advisory Bodies

The Global Forum is a network that connects the knowledge and experience of SDG councils, commissions and similar multi-stakeholder advisory bodies around the globe. The network thereby engages in local, national and international debates.

Members of the network share a common vision of a sustainable future for the planet, where achievement of the SDGs has been achieved through national implementation that fully reflects the needs of society as a whole and benefits everyone.

The Global Forum’s mission is to connect national-level multi-stakeholder councils, commissions and similar advisory bodies to national policy-making for the SDGs, as well as government’s planning, implementation and reporting of the 2030 Agenda.

By providing a network that connects national-level organisations, the Global Forum helps to foster accelerated implementation through fast tracking exchange and learning on what works best to deliver the SDGs.

The Global Forum is currently supported by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), as well as the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development.

'Bridging the Divide': New Report by the Global Forum for National SDG Advisory Bodies

The study shows how various stakeholder groups can jointly advance the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the SDGs.

This report examines emerging good practices in cross-societal collaboration for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, based on interviews with 46 organisations across 32 countries. The research reveals both significant challenges facing multi-stakeholder platforms and innovative adaptation strategies that demonstrate remarkable organisational resilience.

The report builds on the previous Global Forum publications, Pieces of a puzzle, Part I: towards national sustainable development advisory bodies, Pieces of a puzzle Part II: further steps on a journey. Bridging the divide outlines the enabling environment needed for effective multi-stakeholder engagement in SDG planning, implementation and monitoring, before sharing emerging good practice from Global Forum members and beyond on adapting to challenges to cross-society collaboration such as political instability, funding constraints, and civic space restrictions.

Accompanying the report are detailed case studies from countries such as Germany, Finland or Ghana, demonstrating diverse approaches to whole-of-society engagement for SDG Implementation in a range of contexts.