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, 30 March 2018 GUEST ARTICLES SDG-Tracker: Tracking Global Progress Towards the 17 Goals In 2015 the world set a new sustainable development agenda, with the heads of all UN Member States pledging to achieve 17 goals by 2030: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ranging from eradicating poverty to ensuring clean energy for all and reaching sustainable levels of consumption, 169 targets across these Goals were selected to drive efforts in the 15 years leading to 2030. A Story of Community-Led Total Sanitation: Movement-based Change Getting people to do the right thing is a tricky art. For a start, what is the right thing? And who says so anyway? For generations, “experts” have tried hard to persuade people to do what they deem is good for them. Be they development workers or missionaries, their zeal doesn’t often translate into results, and expert-led development has all too often failed to improve the lives of the world’s poor. POLICY BRIEFS Getting to 2030: Tracking SDG Indicators for Evidence of Implementation Progress During the first two years of SDG implementation, it has been hard not to ask “Are we there yet?” or at least, “Are we getting there?” with the hope that evidence of global progress could be detected. Indeed, our review of the most-read stories on the SDG Knowledge Hub in 2017 revealed that readers are eager for assessments and measurements of SDG implementation. SDG Knowledge Weekly: Coherence and Effectiveness in Financing Sustainable Development Much attention was paid this past week to the EU, the future of its budget, the implications for development cooperation and its relation to the 2030 Agenda. This brief focuses on what is needed for a coherent approach to guiding public finance and fostering private investment for SDG implementation. GENERATION 2030 Youth Issue Declaration, Hold Parliament at WWF8 23 March 2018: In conjunction with the eighth World Water Forum (WWF8), the World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW) met to discuss its triannual strategy and participate in the first-ever WWF Junior Forum. FEATURED Clean Energy Investment Grows as Global CO2 Emissions Reach New Record High 28 March 2018: In its State of Clean Energy Investment report, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) finds global investment in renewable energy grew 3% in 2017, while costs continued to fall. The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global Energy and CO2 Status Report, meanwhile, declares that CO2 emissions grew 1.4% to a historic high of 32.5 gigatons over the same period. Global Partnerships Pledge Improved Coordination for Water Security 26 March 2018: Five global, multi-stakeholder water partnerships - the World Bank Water Global Practice, the 2030 Water Resources Group, the Global Water Partnership, the World Water Council, and the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate - announced plans to cooperate on water security. Their commitment follows the High-Level Panel on Water (HLPW) forecast of a potential 40% shortfall in water availability by 2030. WSIS Forum Highlights Critical Role of Information Technologies in Advancing SDGs 23 March 2018: More than 2,500 information and communication technology (ICT) experts came together for the 2018 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum to explore the role of ICTs in advancing the SDGs, particularly those related to health (SDG 3), hunger (SDG 2), education and youth inclusion (SDG 4), employment (SDG 8), gender empowerment (SDG 5), the environment and climate change (SDGs 13, 14 and 15, among others), and infrastructure and innovation (SDG 9). IPBES Plenary Approves Regional and Land Degradation Assessments 24 March 2018: More than 700 participants attended the sixth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-6), which approved the summaries for policy makers and the report chapters of four regional assessments, as well as a thematic one on land degradation and restoration. UNGA Launches Ten-Year Action Plan on Water for Sustainable Development 22 March 2018: On World Water Day, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) launched the ‘International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development’ (2018-2028). Promoting the integrated management of water resources, the Decade aims to create a platform for sharing good practices, advocacy, networking and partnership-building at all levels. NEWS ECOSOC Meeting Explores Role of Inclusive Participation in 2030 Agenda 27 March 2018: In preparation for the UN Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) 2018 Special Meeting, the Czech Republic and Colombia co-hosted a gathering to explore the role of collective action in issues related to participation and inclusion in the 2030 Agenda. The 2018 special meeting will take place on the theme, ‘Towards sustainable, resilient and inclusive societies through the participation of all,’ at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 23 May 2018. International Dialogue Stresses Role of Partnerships for Migration 27 March 2018: The International Dialogue on Migration underscored the role of inclusive partnerships and close, concerted action at local, national, regional and international levels to address global migration challenges and agree on a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Also addressing human movements, recent publications focus on evidence-based analysis of global migration, and refugees’ education. Revised Migration Compact Draft Reflects Changes on Implementation, Review 26 March 2018: The co-facilitators of the intergovernmental consultations and negotiations related to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration have released the first revised draft of the global compact. The ‘Draft Rev 1’ text reflects deliberations from the first and second rounds of intergovernmental negotiations, including on differentiation between irregular and regular migration, differentiation between migrants and refugees, implementation and capacity building, and follow-up and review. ‘Smoke on Water’ Report Spurs Partnership to Protect Largest Tropical Peatland 23 March 2018: The first comprehensive mapping of Congo Basin peatlands has spurred a partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo and Indonesia, aimed at protecting the Cuvette Centrale region in the Congo Basin. With the largest tropical peatland in the world, this ecosystem is estimated to store 30 gigatonnes of carbon, roughly equivalent to what the US economy emits in 15 years. African Climate Talks Contribute to Talanoa Dialogue 23 March 2018: Africa should focus more on “building internal solutions” to its problems rather than rely on international partners in addressing its climate challenges, according to participants at the the second African Climate Talks (ACT!-II), which aimed to facilitate Africa’s contribution to the Talanoa Dialogue under the UNFCCC. WMO Checklist Helps Enhance Early Warning Systems 23 March 2018: Early warning, a critical component of disaster risk reduction (DRR), can prevent loss of life and reduce the economic impacts of hazardous events, including disasters, according to a multi-hazard early warning systems checklist developed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in partnership with the UN Office for DRR (UNISDR), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and others. Projects Enhance Climate Information Management, NAP Process 22 March 2018: A project seeking to advance the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process has kicked off in Liberia. A workshop in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has highlighted the critical role of climate change information and knowledge management (IKM) in adaptation and resilience planning. EC Conference Urges Forward Movement on Sustainable Finance 22 March 2018: Participants at a high-level conference discussed opportunities to reform the financial system in support of the EU climate and sustainable development agenda. The conference was organized by the European Commission (EC) and aimed to build on the momentum from the One Planet Summit, hosted by President Macron of France in December 2017. Participants focused on how to implement the Commission’s Action Plan on Sustainable Finance. UN-World Bank Report Makes Business Case for Conflict Prevention 21 March 2018: The UN and World Bank have published a joint report that argues for greater attention and financing to be directed to identifying the risk of violence in "hot spots" around the world. The report, which was presented at an event in Brussels, Belgium, sets out the business case for refocusing on prevention, noting that identifying risks of violence could save an estimated US$5-70 billion a year, the amount currently spent on crisis response and recovery. Europe Forum Queries Investability of SDGs 20 March 2018: Financial flows must be redirected to support sustainable development and combat climate change, argued participants at the 2018 Sustainable Investment Forum Europe. The Forum convened under the theme, ‘Financing Innovation for a Low Carbon Future,’ and brought together CEOs, asset managers and owners worth over €3.6 trillion, as well as major policy makers, banks, think tanks and NGOs. World Bank Presents Three Scenarios for "Groundswell" of Internal Climate Migration 19 March 2018: The World Bank has released a report predicting that over 143 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America could be forced to move within their countries by 2050 to escape the impacts of climate change, if concrete climate and development action is not taken. The report argues that migration can be a sensible climate change adaptation strategy “if managed carefully and supported by good development policies and targeted investments.” WBCSD Launches CEO Guide to Water 18 March 2018: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has launched its ‘CEO Guide to Water,’ which highlights business opportunities connected with water, and makes the business case for responsible stewardship of water resources. Several global businesses, including food and beverage companies Diageo, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Veolia, have supported the publication. Egypt, UN Partner on Sustainable Development Priorities 18 March 2018: The Government of Egypt and the UN have signed a strategic framework agreement worth US$1.2 billion, to support national development plans in Egypt based on the four pillars of inclusive economic development, social justice, women’s empowerment and sustainable management of resources. The agreement covers the period 2018-2022. CSW 62 Stresses Urgency of Empowering Women and Girls 24 March 2018: The 62nd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) agreed on a set of conclusions on the urgency of ensuring the rights, well-being and resilience of women and girls and reducing poverty among women and girls. The conclusions respond to the session's priority theme, ‘Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.’ World Water Forum Closes with Calls to Action on Justice, Human Rights and Youth 23 March 2018: The Eighth World Water Forum (WWF8) in Brasilia, Brazil has concluded. The conference, on the theme of ‘Sharing Water,' comprised several parallel processes that affirmed the respective roles of judges, local and regional authorities, parliamentarians and young people in the governance of water resources. WMO Report: 2017 One of Three Warmest, Most Costly 23 March 2018: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued the ‘WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2017,’ which confirms that 2017 was one of the three warmest years on record and the warmest not influenced by El Niño. Global Festival Promotes Innovative Action for SDGs 23 March 2018: The Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development showcased approaches, innovations and tools to support SDG implementation. The Festival focused on how to put the SDGs into action through discussion on five key issues: innovation; citizen engagement; communication; mobilization; and multi-stakeholder engagement. Fisheries Statistics, Ocean Database to Support Marine Resource Management 23 March 2018: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) launched Ocean+Data, an online library of ocean-related data resources meant to inform decision making. In parallel, the Asia-Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics launched the Pacific Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Fisheries Statistics (P-SPAFS). African Leaders Sign Free Trade Agreement 22 March 2018: African leaders signed the Kigali Declaration for the Launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The agreement creates one of the world’s largest trading blocks, and aims to dramatically increase intra-African trade by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on goods and services. Regional Adaptation Forum Outlines Challenges in Gulf Region, Contributes to Talanoa Dialogue 22 March 2018: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Adaptation Network (GAN) and Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), convened a regional forum that highlighted specific adaptation challenges facing Gulf States. World Water Council Publishes Policy Recommendations for HLPF 21 March 2018: At the Eighth World Water Forum (WWF-8) in Brazil, the World Water Council and Korea Water Council launched a synthesis report on progress made since WWF-7. The report shows that agencies have accomplished 61% of their aims since WWF-7 took place in the Republic of Korea, and are continuing their efforts. Co-Facilitators Issue Zero Draft on UN Development System Reform 21 March 2018: The co-facilitators for negotiations on repositioning the UN development system circulated the zero draft of a UN General Assembly resolution, which responds to seven major changes proposed by the UN Secretary-General. Co-facilitators Sabri Boukadoum, Permanent Representative of Algeria, and Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative of Denmark, will develop a "compiled overview of inputs" from UN Member States on the text. Prize Winners Advance Wastewater Treatment, Governance, and Water Quality 21 March 2018: In the lead-up to World Water Day on 22 March and in conjunction with the World Water Forum, three prominent water-related prizes were announced. The World Water Council and government partners announced the winners of the King Hasan II Great World Water Prize and the 5th Kyoto World Water Grand Prize, while the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) announced the Stockholm Water Prize laureates for 2018. Water Future and UNU Support Capacity Development for Water Security 21 March 2018: The UN University (UNU) and Water Future, a part of the Future Earth research initiative, have launched a capacity development programme to promote water security. The programme, known as ‘2030WaterSecurity,’ aims to facilitate implementation of the water-related aspects of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IFPRI Report Discusses Impacts of Antiglobalism on Food Security 20 March 2018: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has released the 2018 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR). The seventh annual report, which was launched in Washington, DC, US, investigates how globalization and antiglobalism sentiments - such as trade protectionism, tightening borders, knowledge flow restrictions, stalled farm policy reforms, and weak global governance – impact food systems and nutrition security. Pacific Islands Partner to Transfer Waste for Sustainable Treatment and Recycling 21 March 2018: A partnership to address waste management in the Pacific islands will enable recyclable waste to be transported to ports in the region for sustainable treatment and recycling. The China Navigation Company (CNCo) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment (SPREP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) creating the Moana Taka Partnership. Publications Outline Resilience Strategies, Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity 19 March 2018: One element of successful SDG implementation is identifying and exploring workable synergies among global, regional and national environmental regimes. The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has issued a public consultation version of an implementation guide for local resilience strategies, which also help implement the SDGs. Global SDG Awards Competition to Increase Private Sector Engagement 15 March 2018: The Global SDG Awards, the first international, private-sector focused sustainability competition based on the SDGs, were launched at the GLOBE Forum 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. The competition will be open to companies and social enterprises with sustainability programmes and business models geared towards realizing the SDGs. UN-Habitat, Ford Foundation Report Highlights Potential of Migration in Arab Cities 14 March 2018: The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Ford Foundation have issued a report titled, ‘Migration and Inclusive Cities: A Guide for Arab City Leaders,’ which aims to stimulate innovative approaches to address opportunities and challenges posed by migration to Arab cities. Pacific Islands Agree Elements of Regional NDC Hub 14 March 2018: Pacific island countries agreed to establish a regional hub to further implementation and enhancement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The 3rd Pacific Regional NDC Dialogue fleshed out the elements of the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, and provided an opportunity for Pacific island States to discuss NDC-related experiences and needs. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » 2018 ECOSOC e-Discussion: From Global to Local: Supporting Sustainable and Resilient Societies in Ur... 26 March - 8 April 2018 | virtual Fifth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) 28-30 March 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand Climate, Land, Energy and Water Strategies to Support Implementation of NDCs 30 March 2018 | Addis Ababa, Adis Abeba, Ethiopia Briefing on the Partnership Data for SDGs Initiative 3 April 2018 | New York City, US UNGA Informal Consultations on Repositioning of the UN Development System - Meeting 4 3 April 2018 | New York City, US Second Asian and Pacific Energy Forum 3-5 April 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand World Symposium on Climate Change and Biodiversity 3-5 April 2018 | Manchester, England, UK Intergovernmental Negotiations on Migration Compact - April 2018 3-6 April 2018 | New York City, US Deadline for Innovations for Third STI Forum 4 April 2018 | virtual ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2018 4 April 2018 | New York City, US UNGA Informal Consultations on Repositioning of the UN Development System - Meeting 5 4 April 2018 | New York City, US CTI-CFF Public Private Partnership Preparation 4-5 April 2018 | Jakarta, Indonesia NAP Expo 2018 4-6 April 2018 | Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt North American Carbon World (NACW) 2018 4-6 April 2018 | San Francisco, CA, US 2018 OECD Global Forum on Development 5 April 2018 | Paris, Ile-De-France, France UNGA Informal Consultations on Repositioning of the UN Development System - Meeting 6 9 April 2018 | New York City, US 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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