Click here to visit the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub knowledgebase.  SDG UPDATE A compilation of items recently posted to the SDG Knowledge Hub Friday, 15 February 2019 GUEST ARTICLES National-level Targets, Indicators and Benchmarks for Management of Natural Resources to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals Chris Dickens, International Water Management Institute (IWMI); and Vladimir Smakhtin, UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH); and Matthew McCartney, International Water Management Institute Southeast Asia (IWMI-SEA); and Gordon O’Brien, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, South Africa; and Lula Dahir, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) The uptake of the SDGs at the global level has been a momentous process, with frenetic activity at the UN level matched by many countries that are serious about SDG monitoring. However, there is a glaring issue that seems to be bypassing most concerned, which relates to the different requirements of global versus national monitoring and to the need, at the local level, to balance the use and protection of natural resources, so that the global aspiration for sustainability can be achieved. Drones for SDGs: Fast, Low-cost Delivery of Health Care Supplies for Remote Populations in Malawi Dumisani Kaliati, Founder and CEO of MicroMek Limited, and Goalkeepers Youth Action Accelerator Awardee Malawi has some of the highest HIV rates in the world, with 10,000 children dying from it yearly. Maternal mortality rates are at 634 deaths per 100,000 live births, and mortality under five years old is at 0.64%. Getting people tested and delivering medicine is a challenge given that over 80% of the population live in rural areas characterized by bad terrain and poor or non-existent road networks. Floods during rainy season completely cut off road networks, making it very hard for health services to reach remote areas. Global Dialogue/Local Innovation: Labor Regulation as a Pathway to Achieving the SDGs Arely Cruz-Santiago, ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Durham University, UK Low wages, inadequate health and safety provision at work, work-family balance and other poor working conditions that workers face every day are interrelated problems. Labor regulation and policy agendas, however, usually address these problems separately, without considering the close interplay between the two spheres of life. In Rush for Answers to Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Equator Prize Launches Search for Local, Nature-based Solutions Martin Sommerschuh, Coordinator, Equator Initiative, UN Development Programme This year sees a confluence of important events in both the climate and sustainable development agendas. The UN Secretary-General will host a Climate Summit on 23 September 2019, to “boost ambition and accelerate actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.” In the subsequent two days, the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will convene at the level of Heads of State and Government, a gathering held only every four years. The world is rushing to tackle climate change to avoid catastrophic consequences by 2030, and yearning for progress on the SDGs. 11th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA): ‘Agriculture Goes Digital – Smart Solutions for Future Farming’ Armine Juergenliemk, Agriculture Specialist, World Bank; and Iride Ceccacci, Principal, Agribusiness Advisory, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); and Julian Lampietti, Practice Manager, World Bank; and Astrid Maria Jakobs de Padua, Senior Agriculture Specialist, World Bank; and Flore Martinant de Preneuf, Senior Communications Specialist, World Bank The International Green Week (IGW) in Berlin, Germany, one of the biggest agricultural fairs in Europe, is a standing feature and the first important agriculture event of the year. It is framed by the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, an international conference that focuses on central questions concerning the future of the global agri-food industry. The 11th edition of the Global Forum convened from 17-19 January 2019. It was dedicated to the subject, ‘Agriculture Goes Digital – Smart Solutions for Future Farming.’ Over 2,000 international visitors from politics, private sector, academia and civil society interested in food and agriculture attended the numerous public events of the forum. POLICY BRIEFS SDG Knowledge Weekly: Policy Coherence in the EU and Beyond Adam Fishman, Thematic Expert for 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (US) This week’s brief summarizes several reports and analyses on policy coherence and interlinkages across the SDG framework in Europe, Asia and Latin America. We also review thought leadership on other forms of means of implementation in Europe, focusing on the EU’s financial architecture and external investment. Monthly Forecast February 2019: Coordination and Collaboration to Advance the 2030 Agenda Content Editors, SDG Knowledge Hub While major sustainable development meetings are not traditionally scheduled for the month of February, the shortest month of the year often finds key constituencies coordinating and collaborating with an eye to moving the sustainable development agenda forward. Events during February 2019 are laying the groundwork for the year ahead on issues related to SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 15 (life on land), and the principle of leaving no one behind. FEATURED WBCSD Details SDG-related Trends for Business in 2019 6 February 2019: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has identified several trends related to scaling up corporate action on the SDGs, drawing attention to developments that will have important implications for business throughout the "pivotal year" of 2019. Author James Gomme suggests that business consider the themes to help them focus and prioritize their SDG-related work. European Parliament Assesses SDG Governance Arrangements at EU, Country Levels 7 February 2019: The European Parliament has issued a study that it considers to be the first "comprehensive comparative overview" of SDG governance arrangements in the 28 EU member States. The study reviews arrangements undertaken to implement the SDGs, and provides examples of best practices and recommendations. NEWS ESCAP’s SDG Help Desk Aims to Build Capacity for Implementation 13 February 2019: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth, introduced its ‘SDG Help Desk’ in a webinar. The SDG Help Desk features a knowledge hub, data portals, topics related to technical assistance, a community of practice and toolboxes. NAP Global Network Focusing on NAP Process at Country Level, Meeting Paris Agreement Goals 12 February 2019: The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network has issued publications outlining the role of the NAP process in advancing adaptation goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change, supporting national monitoring and evaluation for climate change adaptation in Colombia and Uganda, and assessing the role of integrated vulnerability assessments in the NAP process in the Pacific. Governments, Regions, UN Agencies Preparing to Review Action for LLDCs 12 February 2019: The UN's programme of action for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) will be reviewed at the end of 2019, and preparatory initiatives and events are underway at the national, regional and global levels. Senior government officials and experts from LLDCs, transit developing countries and development partners met in Bangkok, Thailand, for the first of three regional meetings scheduled in the lead-up to the midterm review on the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA). FAO Report Analyzes Options for SDG Indicator on Fisheries’ Contribution to GDP 8 February 2019: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released a technical paper that aims to support improved understanding and measurement of aquaculture and fisheries’ contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). SDG 14 (life below water) includes an indicator that intends to measure the value of sustainable fisheries. IOC-UNESCO, EC Launch MSPglobal, Contribute to SDG 14 7 February 2019: The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO) and the European Commission (EC) launched MSPglobal, a maritime spatial planning project. The three-year project aims to develop international guidelines on maritime spatial planning and support regulation of activities in coastal and marine waters as a contribution to achieving ocean governance goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IMF Estimates Spending Needed to Make Progress on SDG Implementation 31 January 2019: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated the additional amount that governments need to spend in order to make "meaningful progress" on the SDGs. The study's authors recommend that countries increase tax collection as the first step, while acknowledging that, for low-income countries, this will not be sufficient to fill the financing gap. Initiative Seeks to Unlock Privately Processed Data, Scale up Collaboration 22 January 2019: The World Economic Forum (WEF), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Thematic Research Network on Data and Statistics (TReNDS) and others have launched an initiative to break down barriers to public-private data collaboration. The Contracts for Data Collaboration (C4DC) initiative aims to address the inefficiencies of developing contractual agreements for such collaboration, and thus unlock privately processed data needed to address challenges. GWP Promotes IWRM, “Water Integrity” in West Africa 7 February 2019: The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has undertaken a series of workshops and study activities to promote integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the West African region, working with national and regional partners. Among the activities supported by GWP are a validation workshop with national actors on a study on the status of IWRM in West Africa, and training and assessment on “water integrity” – an approach to ethical practice and anti-corruption measures in water management. ESCWA Reviews Application of Digital Technologies for SDGs in Arab Region 1 February 2019: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asian (ESCWA) has released a study on digital technologies for development, including recommendations for harnessing such technologies for social, economic and human development. The report considers digital technologies in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ten-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Ireland Launches Search for National SDG Champions 31 January 2019: The Government of Ireland has announced an initiative to recognize organizations and individuals who are “leading by example” in achieving the SDGs, by identifying a set of national SDG Champions. The initiative is one of 19 key actions in Ireland's SDG National Implementation Plan, which was launched in April 2018. Secretary-General Updates Member States on Reform Progress in January 2019 29 January 2019: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has updated Member States on UN reform processes, summarizing changes that took effect on 1 January 2019 and highlighting areas of additional progress. Recent changes include new management, accountability and institutional structures, and the deployment of the first assessment mission reflecting the integrated approach to peace and security matters. A series of updates on the UN's reform website provide further information. IMF, World Bank and OECD Update Global Economic Forecasts January 2019: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports, in an update to its World Economic Outlook, that global economic expansion has weakened. Escalating trade tensions remain a key source of risk to the global economic outlook, the authors note, with potential triggers including a “no-deal” withdrawal of the UK from the EU (Brexit) and a greater-than-envisaged slowdown in China. Publications from the World Bank and Organisation for Co-operation and Development further highlight risks in low-income countries and the role of digitalization in widening inequalities. PAGE Conference Recommends Policy Actions for Inclusive, Sustainable Economies January 2019: The UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy's (PAGE) 2019 Ministerial Conference resulted in a document outlining key policy methods to support countries towards inclusive and sustainable economies, and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Participants at the Green Economy Coalition's (GEC) Global Meeting that convened before the Ministerial Conference also made recommendations on inclusion and natural capital. IPBES Previews 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity 7 February 2019: The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has provided information on the key aspects covered by the first global assessment on biodiversity since the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2015, as well as on the structure of the upcoming report. UNDP Report Identifies Factors that Contribute to Successful Water and Ocean Governance Projects 6 February 2019: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has released a compilation of impact stories from its Water and Ocean Governance Programme (WOGP). The report aims to identify critical steps and factors in successful water and ocean governance projects, drawing from projects dealing with regional fisheries, transboundary rivers and aquifers, small island developing States (SIDS), large marine ecosystems (LMEs), distribution of water and sanitation services and global shipping. FAO Provides Guidance on Environmental Flows as a Measure of Water Stress 4 February 2019: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has issued guidelines on environmental flows to assist countries in managing levels of water stress. SDG target 6.4 sets out the aim of ensuring sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity, and SDG indicator 6.4.2 measures water stress in terms of freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources. GSMA, Project Everyone Launch App for Individualized SDG Updates, Action February 2019: GSMA and Project Everyone have released the 'SDGs in Action' app. It shares sustainable development and SDG news from around the world, shares stories of how innovation is helping to achieve the Goals, and connects users with opportunities to plan and join sustainable actions and events. It also has several features designed to engage users in actions related to the SDGs and to focus on particular SDGs of interest to them. UNDP, FAO, Italy Launch Center to Accelerate Climate Action, Sustainable Development in Africa 28 January 2019: The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Government of Italy have launched the ‘Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development’ to help African countries access resources that support policies, initiatives, and best practices on climate change, food security, water access, and clean energy, and accelerate progress on the SDGs on the continent. Expanding Carbon Pricing and Ensuring Environmental Integrity January 2019: The year 2018 concluded with the adoption of guidelines for implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, however no agreement was reached on operationalizing market mechanisms under the Agreement yet. In December, several Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) also established a joint framework for aligning their activities with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) presented its shadow carbon pricing methodology to better inform investment decisions. This article discusses these and other developments from the past two months, observing carbon pricing communications in the context of environmental integrity. UNEP Report Analyzes Frameworks, Legislation on Legal and Illegal Trade in Wildlife, Forest Products January 2019: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report that identifies and analyzes global, regional and national institutions and legal frameworks on legal and illegal trade in wildlife and forest products. SDG target 15.7 calls for taking urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » 57th Session of the Commission for Social Development 11-21 February 2019 | New York City, US HFLD Conference on Climate Finance Mobilization 12-15 February 2019 | Paramaribo, Suriname World Symposium on Climate Change and Tourism 13-15 February 2019 | Bariloche, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition Research Conference on Carbon Pricing 14-15 February 2019 | New Delhi, Delhi, India AfricaSan5 18-22 February 2019 | Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa CGRFA 17 18-22 February 2019 | Rome, Lazio, Italy FSM5 18-22 February 2019 | Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Climate Change and Oceans Preservation 19 February 2019 | Brussels, Belgium Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum: Energy Efficiency Finance Market Place 19-20 February 2019 | Brussels, Belgium 2nd Latin American Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation 20-21 February 2019 | Lima, Peru Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction Annual Assembly 2019 20-21 February 2019 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada World Resources Forum 2019 24-27 February 2019 | Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium Global Reporting Initiative Reporters' Summit: North America 2019 25 February 2019 | US 25th Session of the ISA Council (Part I) 25 February - 1 March 2019 | Kingston, Saint Andrew, Jamaica TEEB for Agriculture and Food International Symposium 26-27 February 2019 | Nairobi, Kenya 22nd Meeting of the GCF Board 26-28 February 2019 | Incheon, Republic of Korea Funding for the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub has been provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) The IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub is a knowledgebase tracking implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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