The Kingdom of Lesotho Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda Report (2019)

Lesotho is highly committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This commitment is operationalised through the National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II), 2018/19 – 2022/23. The NSDP II is also aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. SDGs reflect the aspirations of Basotho, that are articulated in National Vision 2020, living in a country of stable democracy, united and prosperous nation at peace with itself and its neighbours, with a healthy and educated human resource base.

The principle of “Leave No One Behind” is core to national values and development imperatives. Lesotho recognizes the interrelatedness and indivisibility nature of SDGs. For example, with effective implementation of programmes on climate change mitigation and adaptation (SDG 13), Lesotho will reduce poverty and hunger and create decent jobs (SDGs 1, 2, 8), and reduce inequalities and gender based violence (SDGs 10, 5). With reduced poverty, hunger and increased decent jobs, Basotho will have access to improved universal health and education services (SDG 3, 4), clean water and sanitation and affordable energy (SDG 6, 7). Addressing the indivisibility nature of SDGs requires effective institutions and access to justice (SDG 16) and effective partnerships, including adequate financial resources (SDG 17). It is from this understanding that Lesotho developed the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II), which is human development oriented and an instrument for prioritisation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on SDGs.