In Lao PDR, two institutional mechanisms were created to coordinate implementation of the SDGs and to ensure institutional coherence. 55
• The National Steering Committee on the implementation of the SDGs which is chaired by the prime minister 56 and is composed of 26 members from relevant ministries and agencies. The Committee oversees the coordination and implementation of the SDGs through the NSEDP and other ministries’ sectoral development plans. • The National SDG Secretariat which is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The Secretariat works with ministries to track progress on SDG implementation. The Secretariat organised a number of consultations in 2017 and 2018 with all relevant stakeholders.
The NRA is represented on the Steering Committee by the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and is also represented in the SDG Secretariat by the NRA Director General. 57
2030 AGENDA FOLLOW-UP AND REVIEW MECHANISM
When considering the different options for integrating mine action in national development processes, the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review mechanism can provide a great opportunity. The 2030 Agenda encourages the carrying out of “regular and inclusive reviews of progress” of implementation at the national and sub-national levels which are to be voluntary and country-led. 58 These reviews, known as voluntary national reviews (VNR), are submitted by each country up to two times within the 15-year time frame. The VNRs are presented within the ministerial segment of the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) which is convened annually under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), 59 and serves as the main platform for the 2030 Agenda follow-up and reviews. The VNRs allow each country to assess and report on their national progress as well as to share their own experiences and the lessons learnt in the implementation of the SDGs.
The research looked into the VNRs submitted between 2016 and 2020 by 47 countries contaminated with anti-personnel mine and/or cluster munitions, to understand the general trends and the extent to which mine action is referred in the reports. Interestingly, it appeared that only nine VNRs 60 (less than 20%) contained any reference to mine action, including the two case study countries, BiH and Lao PDR.
This review found that mine action is generally absent from VNRs, in spite of its important role for the achievement of sustainable development in conflict, post-conflict and protracted crises.
Although an in-depth examination of all VNRs was not part of the scope of this study, the limited review that took place emphasizes the need for additional efforts to enhance the visibility of the mine action sector, and it’s increased role as part of national sustainable development efforts.
Part 1 – Is mine action integrated in national socio-economic development frameworks? 20
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