In previous times, horizontal coordination on the Federal level was fostered by the “Committee for a Sustainable Austria” that consisted of representatives of all Federal Ministries, social partners and the chairs of the “Expert Conference of National and Regional SD Coordinators”. Moreover, a “Sustainable Development Steering Group” was established on the national level to coordinate SD activities among the different ministries. As of 2010, the Committee was co-chaired by the Federal Chancellery and the now Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. These mechanisms worked as a

• means of coordination through common projects and programmes,
• political guidance and
• steering mechanism.

Horizontal coordination on the level of federal states still is facilitated by the Regional SD Coordinators. They assist the implementation of SD within the provincial administrations. Furthermore, they share experiences and develop joint activities, mostly using the mechanism of the “Expert Conference of National and Regional SD Coordinators”, in German called NHKK, which serves both horizontal and vertical integration.

Some of the Austrian federal states decided to develop own SD strategies complementary to the ÖSTRAT to enhance the process of horizontal integration within the respective region.

Horizontal coordination on the regional and local level was encouraged and fostered by the above-mentioned sub-group of the “Expert Conference of National and Regional SD Coordinators” on LA 21. For more details see “sub-national activities”.

More recently, the interministerial working group “Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (IMAG) was created in 2017, including representatives of all federal ministries under the Co-Chair of the Federal Chancellery and the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs. The IMAG now meets at regular intervals, approximately four times a year.

It is envisaged – in order to promote vertical and horizontal policy integration – that further relevant actors may be invited to and informed about the IMAG meetings on a more regular basis and that the running chair of NHKK will be invited regularly.

As part of the preparations for Austria's first VNR, a drafting group – consisting of ministerial delegates perceived to representing the three dimensions of sustainability as well – was created under the co-chairmanship of the Austrian federal Chancellery and the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs. In addition, two editorial committees were set up, which include all relevant Austrian stakeholders with regard to the 2030 Agenda.

The first Austrian Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the SDGs is regarded as a stocktaking and a point of reflection to spur further activities on all levels. The production of this review has initiated greater cooperation between all levels of government and all relevant stakeholders. The Government Programme 2020-2024 foresees the further strengthening of a targeted coordination in implementing the 2030 Agenda by systematically involving relevant stakeholders.