HLPF 2017: Brief Reporting – Day ONE- July 10, 2017Opening & Session 1- Where are we in year two of implementation of the 2030 Agenda? Monday, 10 July 2017, 9:00-10:30, Conference Room 4
Mr. Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the United Nations, President of Economic and Social Council, made the opening remarks. He deliberated the issues of eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in the changing word. He also presented the overview of the first week program.
The first week is dedicated to reviewing of this year selected SDGs which would also highlight the challenges of middle-income countries. Where we stand globally on each of the SDGs.
Based on the trends and available data, their limitations and recommendations will be proposed through the lenses of countries.
He also concurred that Regional dimension is very important: 2 sessions are dedicated - Regional implementation of 200 genders and SDGs.
- Other sessions- regional dimension of the ministerial declaration.
He also talked about 44 VNR reporting countries which show strong political will, and availing opportunities to exchange views.
This was followed by Introduction of Secretary-General’s SDG Progress Report by Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations
Mr. Wu Hongbo talked about eradicating fundamental deprivation, living sustainably within the natural boundaries of the earth, by working together, where every human being realize his/her full potentials
He also announced to provide the special thematic review of goals 1,2,3,5,9 and 14 in addition to goal 17- based on global indicators frameworks.
He emphasized need to start working across silos, strengthening science-policy interface and promoting the generation and dissemination of innovations of information.
Later there were statements from keynote speakers.
Session 2 Implementation at the regional and sub-regional levels
During the session two, Ms. Shamshad Akhtar, executive secretary of ESCAP talked about the availability and quality of data which impacts the report. She deliberated on Goal 5 and declining women’s share in the labor market, lost job opportunities for women. She further highlighted the issue of increasing Inequality in Asia – Pacific region, where large segment denied basic services. She also drew the attention on Asia Pacific region being most disaster-prone areas in the world and loss of fossil fuel throughout the region.
Later, Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of ECE discussed that progress is often mixed. Gender equality is a good indicator, however much remains to be done, for example, gender pay gaps are higher!! She also highlighted the need of private sector finance and redistribution of property and wealth to reduce inequality in the region apart from domestic resource mobilization, domestic governance, public expenditure governance to name a few.
Later there were discussions around the issue of Lesson learned in the means of implementation Asia Pacific forum of sustainable development (APFSD) has taken the SD agenda. The goals and MoI are captured well in APFSD platform.
ESCAP Side Event on Regional Roadmap: The Regional Roadmap represents the aspiration of the region towards achieving the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. There is no doubt that there are substantial space and the need for regional cooperation on attaining the SDGs, and in particular for facilitating the MOI. There is no denying this will be of immense benefit to the developing and least developed countries in the region. It is clear that unless major progress made on the MOI, most countries will find it difficult to achieve the SDGs.
The Asia-Pacific region is responsible for half of the resources and is the home to 2/3rd of world's population, 767 million poor in the world and out of approximately 330 million in Asia –Pacific – 260 million is accounted by South Asia region.
It was highlighted that cooperation with a shared vision can strengthen sustainable development. A transformative and holistic Regional Roadmap relies on addressing structural impediments and systemic barriers.
It must take into serious consideration targeted and sustained commitments on development finance and co-operation as well as inclusive collection and disaggregation of data to track the gaps and progress condition of the marginalized sectors.
It must provide institutionalized space, and support for widest possible stakeholders participation at all levels and ensure the principle of non-regression in civil society participation, including people with disability. This is important for attaining broader ownership of the development agenda.
The Global Invisible Mosaic 10th Floor Conference Room The Church Centre for the United Nations 777 United Nations Plaza, New York Community Mapping the SDGs for Subnational Implementation
Most discussions surrounding the SDGs have focused on the setting of goals and indicators. Less attention has been paid to discussing the roles and responsibilities that different stakeholders should take in achieving these goals at all levels. Given the scope and ambition of the SDGs, it is clear that governments alone cannot achieve agenda. They must also facilitate participation of all sectors of society, particularly civil society organisations (CSOs), inclusive of all major groups of sustainable development (i.e., youth and children, women, farmers), who are uniquely positioned to draw upon local knowledge to tailor the ambitious global-development agenda to specific local contexts. This invisible mosaic of organizations demonstrating real progress on the 17 SDGs - estimated to be in the tens of thousands worldwide - can provide valuable insight into the strategies and lessons learned when translating the global agenda to local action.
CSO representatives from Canada, India, Nepal, S Korea and Pakistan talked about the SDG implementation in their countries and role of civil society in outreach, information dissemination and capacity building on SDGs.
The CSos also spoke about the challenges and barriers that they face in the community while capacitating them on the grass root level issues related to SDGs. Missing data is the biggest challenge in effective mechanism apart from accountability and resources
Session 3 Thematic review Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world: Addressing multi-dimensions of poverty and inequalities
This session addressed the theme through the lens of its multi-dimensional nature. A panel of experts with diverse backgrounds facilitated discussions aiming at deepening understanding and appreciation of the various dimensions and their inter-connections, in the process of which practical recommendations will be made towards the end of HLPF. |
Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) Nepal
