Voluntary Local Reviews: SDG Reporting to Action

The global challenges we face—such as the climate crisis, rising inequalities, and rapid urbanization—make it imperative to address sustainable development not only at the national level but also at the local level. In this context, Voluntary Local Review (VLR) processes offer a powerful tool for cities to monitor, evaluate, and transparently share their progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). VLRs encourage local governments to take ownership of the sustainability agenda while also measuring cities’ performance on SDGs and strengthening data-driven decision-making processes.

Organized under MARUF On the Go* In partnership with the Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU) and the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), Voluntary Local Reviews: SDG Reporting to Action webinar will focus on local-level Voluntary Local Review practices aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

VLRs stand out as voluntary monitoring and reporting processes through which cities assess their progress toward sustainable development goals. During the event, representatives from different cities will share their experiences with VLRs, discuss good practices and the impact of VLRs’ on municipalities’ works, and explore common challenges.

Event Details

• Date: June 19, 2025
• Time: 10:00–12:30 (GMT+3)
• Language: English, Turkish, Arabic
• Registration link: http://mbb.bb/vlr

Speakers:

• Iren Saadeh – Head of Sustainable Development Unit, Ramallah Municipality
• Simten Birsöz İnanç – Coordinator of Foreign Affairs, Istanbul Planning Agency
• Meryem Cağış – Urban Planner, Strategy Development Department, Fatih Municipality
• Milena Dinić Branković – Associate Professor, University of Niš – SDG Localization Expert – Representing the VLR of City of Niš

MARUF on the Go is a series of multi-stakeholder events that shed light on the themes of the Marmara Urban Forum (MARUF), which will take place on 1–3 October at the Haliç Congress Center. This dynamic process includes interactive gatherings—ranging from panels and workshops to field visits and publications—centered around the production and exchange of knowledge. Open to all urban stakeholders, MARUF on the Go is designed as a set of preliminary stops that extend MARUF through time and space.

Marmara Urban Forum is Türkiye’s international urban forum, organized biennially by the Marmara Municipalities Union. Set to return in 2025 for its fourth edition, MARUF will once again provide a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and collaboration across a wide range of urban issues, under the motto “on the shore of all possibilities.” MARUF is an ecosystem where ideas, people, and good practices converge—making change possible.

MARUF and VLR Sessions: MARUF provides a platform where cities that have prepared Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) present their reports, discuss the preparation processes, and reflect on the impact of their reviews. In this context, VLR sessions are organized as part of the MARUF process to promote the dissemination of good practices and encourage more cities to engage in VLR preparation.

The first VLR session within the scope of MARUF was held during the second edition of MARUF in 2021. Titled “City’s Logbook: Voluntary Local Reviews of the SDG journey”, the session featured cities from both Turkey and abroad, sharing their experiences and the challenges they encountered during the VLR process. Similarly, a VLR session was held at MARUF 23, where representatives from cities that had prepared VLRs presented their reports and explored the future trajectory of VLR efforts.

As part of MARUF 25, the upcoming VLR session will take place within the MARUF on the Go process under the theme “Voluntary Local Review: From SDG Reporting to Action.”