1. Governance of the SDGs in Greece
HELLENIC REPUBLIC GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF COORDINATION, INSTITUTIONAL, INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
Governance of the SDGs in Greece
Info Day on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Dr. Nikos Trantas Head of the Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs of the General Secretariat of the Government

2. SDGs implementation in Greece: processes & approaches
SDGs implementation: multisectoral and multilevel process; demands the participation of all segments of polity and society.
Procedures: open, bottom-up, inclusive and participatory.
Approach: Whole-of-government & whole-of-society.
Engagement of the public administration & all other stakeholders.
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

3. General Secretariat of the Government (GSG)
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International and European Affairs
Collective Governmental Bodies
(Vice-Presidency and
General Secretariat for Coordination)
Hellenic Parliament
Hellenic Statistical Authority
Economic and Social Committee of Greece
(National multi-stakeholder consultation and engagement platform)
Inter-ministerial Coordination Network
all line ministries
• Environment & Energy • Foreign Affairs • Interior • Economy & Development • Digital Policy, Telecommunications & Media • National Defense •Education, Research & Religious Affairs • Labour, Social Security & Social Solidarity • Justice, Transparency & Human Rights • Finance • Health • Administrative Reconstruction • Culture & Sports • Infrastructure & Transport • Migration Policy • Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy • Rural Development & Food • Tourism

4. SDGs implementation steps in Greece- Dec
SDGs implementation steps in Greece- Dec July 2018 (completion of first phase)
1. Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs of the General Secretariat of the Government responsible for coordinating & monitoring the implementation of the SDGS (law 4440/2016, art.43).  2. Setting up of an Inter-ministerial Coordination Network.  3. Mapping & prioritizing the SDGs by Ministry.  4. Social dialogue & opinions from stakeholders.  5. Decision for Greece’s participation at the HLPF of UN for July  6. Prioritizing & adjusting the SDGs at central political level, according to the national public policies & priorities, taking into consideration the proposals of the stakeholders (decision for 8 national priorities).  7. Actions for raising awareness and promote participation of the stakeholders  8. Drafting of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) with input from the Ministries & the stakeholders.  9. VNR presentation at the HLPF July 
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

5. Efforts for stakeholder engagement
On going dialogue thus far with:
-The Economic and Social Committee of Greece (OKE/ESC)
-The Council of Sustainable Development of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV)
-The Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR Hellas)
-The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE)
-The Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE)
-The Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) & the Municipalities of Athens, Thessaloniki & others
-The Association of Greek Regions (ENPE) & specific regions (such as Crete)
-Universities & Research institutions
-NGOs & other organizations & networks
-Independent authorities (Greek Ombudsman)
-Hellenic Parliament.
Aim at a broader & more systematic consultation process (cooperation with OKE/ESC & others).
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

6. Greece’s National Priorities for the SDGs
Outcome-oriented priorities
Fostering a competitive, innovative and sustainable economic growth (SDGs 8, 9).
Promoting full employment and decent work for all (SDG 8).
Addressing poverty and social exclusion and providing universal access to quality health care services (SDGs 1, 2, 3).
Reducing social and regional inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities for all (SDGs 10, 5).
Providing high-quality and inclusive education (SDG 4).
Strengthening the protection and sustainable management of natural capital as a base for social prosperity and transition to a low-carbon economy (SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15).
B. Process-oriented priorities
7. Building effective, accountable and transparent institutions (SDGs 16, 17).
8. Enhancing and promoting open, participatory and democratic processes and promoting partnerships (SDGs 16, 17)
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

7. Greece successfully presented its VNR in the 2018 ΗLPF on Sustainable Development (UN)
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

8. Greece’s 2018 VNR Report aims to:
present the institutional mechanism put in place in Greece which ensures the collective political ownership and commitment to accomplish successfully the SDGs and to foster a whole-of-government approach;
highlight the national policy and legal framework which incorporates the SDGs, focusing on the eight national priorities for the SDGs;
showcase the role played by key stakeholders in the implementation of the SDGs through the adoption of a whole-of-society approach;
provide some keys means of implementation which ensure the comprehensive and integrated achievement of the SDGs at all governance levels (national, regional, international);
present the main steps to be taken with regard to the follow up and review process of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

9. National Implementation Plan 2019
Α. Timeframe:
National Implementation Plan every four years
Progress Report every two years
Presentation of the progress reports in the Parliament
Β. Basic points:
Central Institutional Mechanism (implementation, coordination, policy coherence)
SDGs implementation & multilevel governance (regional & local level).
Multi-stakeholder consultation mechanism.
Main political & legislative framework for the implementation of SDGs [alignment with national priorities for the SDGs & National Growth Strategy 2018].
Means of implementation (improving the legislation, fostering interlinkages & synergies across policy sectors, effective use of financial resources, enhancing public awareness and participation).
Mainstreaming the SDGs into the legislative process: Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA), Sustainable Impact Assessments (SIA), ex-ante and ex-post evaluation reports accompanying legislative texts and policies].
National Indicators & monitoring progress of SDGs implementation.
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

10. Awareness events, educational initiatives, mainstreaming practices
Information about the SDGs in the website of the General Secretariat of the Government (
More than 30 SDGs-related public events in Greece in which our Office has participated since March A lot more is taking place (from CSOs, schools, municipalities etc.).
Introduction of a 3-day recurring seminar program on the international, European & national framework of implementation of the SDGs at the Institute of Training (ΙΝΕP) of the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA), aimed at the civil servants (offered since November 2017).
In accordance with the instructions of the General Secretariat of the Government (Better Regulation Office), the Regulatory Impact Assessment Reports, that accompany the draft laws, should take into account the 3 dimensions of sustainable development, as these are reflected in the Agenda 2030 & the SDGs relevant documents. (
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government

11. Thank you very much for your attention!
General Secretariat of the Government Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs
Thank you very much for your attention!
Office of Coordination, Institutional, International & European Affairs, General Secretariat of the Government