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Transformations for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century Bhutan’s Second Voluntary National Review Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Gross National Happiness Commission Royal Government of Bhutan United Nations High-Level Political Forum 2021 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN THIMPHU, BHUTAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Foreword The Kingdom of Bhutan is honoured to present its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) report to the 2021 United Nations High Level Political Forum (UN HLPF). It has undertaken this second national review as it accords high importance to the conduct of timely assessments, as a means to facilitate effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This has special significance to us as Bhutan marks the 50th anniversary of its membership in the United Nations. This is in keeping with its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Bhutan endorsed along with other members of the United Nations in 2015. The 2030 Agenda has particular significance for Bhutan as it has long championed a higher purpose for development, as expressed by our development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), and based on which it has made important contributions towards shaping the Global Goals. The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) also considers this an important opportunity to share with the international community an update on progress and experiences since its first VNR in 2018. It is pleased to share that the Dewa Platform—an integrated dashboard to monitor GNH, SDGs and national development progress—has been developed. The RGoB is also pleased to report that with the ongoing implementation of the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP), it has been making broad-based progress across the SDGs. Numerous programmes are underway towards meeting targets for the 12th FYP’s 17 national key result areas (NKRAs), which are closely aligned to the SDGs. As presented in the first VNR report, the 12th FYP was formulated with GNH and the SDGs as a guiding basis, and represents a major step in implementing the 2030 Agenda. In particular, priority concerns and policy actions identified in the first VNR report are being addressed. For instance—to improve key social outcomes—national policies on gender equality, disabilities, and mother and child health have been endorsed, and a health flagship programme is under implementation. Towards improving economic resilience and productive capacities, greater emphasis is being placed on sustainable tourism, organic agriculture, cottage and small industries, and digital transformation. The adoption of a national climate change policy, REDD+ strategy, updated environment strategy, and roadmap for disaster risk management, are part of larger efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and manage climate change impacts. However, Bhutan, like the rest of the global community, has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Deep and far-reaching impacts are already evident, particularly on the economy and livelihoods, and on the revenue landscape and education. While health impacts have not been as severe, the health Post Box No. 103, Gyalyong Tshogkhang, Thimphu, Bhutan EPABX 00975-2-323297, 322771, 322473, 322459, Fax: 00975-2-323240 Website: www.mfa.gov.bt 2 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN THIMPHU, BHUTAN system’s capacity to deal with a prolonged pandemic is of great concern—with epidemiological changes already placing pressure on the sustainability of free healthcare services. It is therefore expected that progress of several related SDGs is “at risk” today, as compared to 2018 when the first VNR assessed almost all SDGs to be “on track”. At the same time, however, it must be noted that Bhutan under the benevolent guidance of His Majesty the King has handled the pandemic remarkably well—with strong preventative and inclusive response measures in place since early 2020, owing to which adverse impacts are expected to have been mitigated to an extent. Moving forward, Bhutan will continue to implement the 12th FYP to ensure that progress across the SDGs is sustained. It will also implement its smooth transition strategy, which is aimed at sustaining its upcoming graduation from the UN’s Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2023; building resilience while addressing remaining structural challenges; and adjusting to the loss of LDC benefits. At the same time, Bhutan is already drawing important lessons from responding to and dealing with the pandemic. These include, among others, the need and possibilities for long-term, transformative and green solutions for its food system, local economy, public services delivery, approaches to learning, data ecosystem, and preparedness for disasters and future pandemics. More importantly, the pandemic has also accentuated the strength of Bhutanese leadership and spirit of community cooperation at all levels. Therefore, as Bhutan works to “build back better” from the pandemic, it will also continue to build on these collective strengths in order to accelerate the SDGs. In doing so, the RGoB looks forward to strengthening cooperation with its development partners, including civil societies and the private sector, so that progress towards an inclusive, low-carbon and resilient development pathway can be sustained. To this end, the RGoB has the pleasure of presenting this report, which identifies opportunities for continued collaboration and partnership; and is structured around the theme of transformational processes that build on past achievements and draw lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic—as it moves towards LDC graduation, the SDGs and GNH. Dr. Tandi Dorji Foreign Minister Royal Government of Bhutan Post Box No. 103, Gyalyong Tshogkhang, Thimphu, Bhutan EPABX 00975-2-323297, 322771, 322473, 322459, Fax: 00975-2-323240 Website: www.mfa.gov.bt 3 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 BACKGROUND.................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 CONTEXT .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 METHODOLOGY AND REPORT PREPARATION PROCESS .................................................................................. 6 2. A PANDEMIC RESPONSE THAT INSPIRES IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF GNH AND THE SDGS ........... 8 2.1 HIS MAJESTY THE KING LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 ................................................................... 8 2.1.1 Ensuring preparedness and securing high-risk areas.................................................................. 8 2.1.2 Reducing vulnerabilities triggered by the pandemic ................................................................... 8 2.1.3 Strengthening capacities for a multi-purpose human resource pool ............................................ 9 2.1.4 Ensuring access to essential public services and leaving no one behind .................................... 10 2.2 KEY LESSONS TO TAKE FORWARD........................................................................................................... 10 3. BHUTAN’S DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AGENDA 2030 AND GNH ........................................................... 12 3.1 POLICY AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................... 12 3.1.1 Integration of the 3 SDG dimensions and incorporation of SDGs in the national framework ..... 12 3.1.2 Creating ownership for the SDGs ............................................................................................ 12 3.1.3 Institutional mechanisms ......................................................................................................... 13 3.2 TRACKING PROGRESS OF GOALS AND TARGETS .......................................................................................... 14 3.2.1 SDG indicators and dashboard ................................................................................................ 14 3.2.2 Summary of progress on the 17 SDGs ...................................................................................... 16 4. THEMATIC ISSUES ................................................................................................................................. 24 4.1 SDG 1: END POVERTY IN ALL ITS FORMS EVERYWHERE ............................................................................... 25 4.1.1 Eradicating extreme poverty and reducing poverty in all its forms ............................................ 25 4.1.2 Enhancing access to basic services, technology and economic resources .................................. 27 4.1.3 Building resilience and strengthening social protection systems ............................................... 28 4.1.4 Way forward ........................................................................................................................... 30 4.2 SDG 2: END HUNGER, ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVED NUTRITION, AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 31 4.2.1 Enhancing nutrition security ...................................................................................................
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