Click here to visit the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub knowledgebase.  SDG UPDATE A compilation of items recently posted to the SDG Knowledge Hub Thursday, 3 May 2018 FEATURED New York City Announces Voluntary Local Review of SDG Progress 1 May 2018: The New York City Mayor and the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs announced that New York City will release the world's first “Voluntary Local Review” (VLR), reporting on city-level progress on the SDGs. The VLR, to be presented during the 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), will be modeled after the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Ireland SDG Implementation Plan Emphasizes Coherence, Public Engagement 25 April 2018: The Government of Ireland has launched its first national plan for implementing the SDGs, setting out how it will work to achieve the Goals domestically and internationally. Ireland's 'Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020' identifies responsible government departments for each of the 169 SDG targets, and designates governance and implementation arrangements to support a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to implementation. NEWS SDSN, Bertelsmann Stiftung Launch Consultation on 2018 SDG Report Cards 30 April 2018: The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and Bertelsmann Stiftung launched a public consultation on the third annual SDG Index and Dashboard Report, which will provide a "report card" of every country's performance on SDG implementation. The 2018 edition of the report will focus on national implementation of the SDGs, and include trend data for the first time. UNPFII 17 Adopts Recommendations on Collective Rights to Lands, Territories and Resources 27 April 2018: The 17th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII 17), which took place from 16-27 April 2018, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, adopted recommendations related to indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories and resources. The session also finalized three draft decisions on its future work for consideration by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). FfD Forum Focuses on Multilateralism, Private Sector Engagement 26 April 2018: Participants at the third annual UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development follow-up (FfD Forum) highlighted the importance of multilateralism to creating a global enabling environment for sustainable development. Representatives of governments, international financial institutions, the business sector and civil society also addressed issues related to, inter alia: using official development assistance (ODA) as catalyst for strengthening domestic resources mobilization and private sector engagement; the role of governments in de-risking private sector investments; and the risks posed by promoting incentives for the private sector through broad deregulatory agendas or tax incentives that are not well crafted. FAO, EBRD Report Finds ‘Geographical Indications’ Foods Support Development 26 April 2018: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have released a study that finds food products with specific, certified geographic origin are contributing to economic and social benefits for populations in rural areas and can support progress towards the SDGs. UN Climate Change Launches First-ever Annual Report 30 April 2018: The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN Climate Change, or UNFCCC) has launched its first-ever annual report, which details 2017 achievements, the future of the climate change process, and what UN Climate Change is doing to support, encourage and build on the global response to climate change. 43 Governments and 80,000 Individuals Pledge Action on Plastic Pollution 30 April 2018: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) has declared that the “tide is already beginning to turn” on tackling single-use plastics and reducing microplastics in cosmetics and toiletries, thanks, in part, to the efforts under the Clean Seas Campaign. Resilient Cities 2018 Contributes to Talanoa Dialogue, SDG 11 28 April 2018: The Resilient Cities Congress 2018 convened in Bonn, Germany, ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, which is meeting through 10 May. The Congress brought together representatives of governments and non-government stakeholders to review and discuss options for joint climate action going forward, and contribute to the Talanoa Dialogue. High-level Event Considers How UN Can Do Better for Peace and Security 26 April 2018: The UN General Assembly held a high-level meeting as part of its mandate on strengthening the UN’s work in peacebuilding and sustaining peace. A Goodwill Ambassador, an advocate for war-affected children, and heads of state and government intervened during the gathering, which adopted a resolution regarding the UN Secretary-General's proposals on the UN's peace and security architecture. FfD Forum Outcome Calls for Aligning Investment with Sustainable Development 26 April 2018: During the 2018 FfD Forum, ministers and high‑level representatives adopted conclusions and recommendations on financing for development (FfD) and means of implementation for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The outcome document emphasizes the critical role of science, technology and innovation (STI) and the need to invest in infrastructure, including transport, energy, water and sanitation for all, for achieving the SDGs. UN Discusses Security Sector Reform in Relation to SDG 16 23 April 2018: A roundtable meeting on reform of the security sector addressed both the international frameworks represented by SDG 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies and the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, stressed that security sector reform (SSR) is a core element of prevention and sustaining peace, as it would allow people to live their lives free from fear. UN Member States Considering Proposal to Fund Resident Coordinator System 25 April 2018: The co-facilitators for negotiations on the reform of the UN development system presented a proposal on funding for a "reinvigorated" Resident Coordinator (RC) system, based on ideas received from UN Member States. It is proposed that UN Member States would provide the RC system with up to US$255 million annually, beginning in January 2019. UNEP International Panel Calls for Improved Resource Efficiency for Sustainable Urbanization 26 April 2018: The future of cities will depend on their resource efficiency levels and the manner in which they are planned, connected and governed, according to a report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) International Resource Panel. Adaptation Finance Update: Green Bonds on the Rise but Will Adaptation Projects Benefit? 21 April 2018: The global green bond market is growing, and is expected to reach US$250-300 billion in 2018. However, reports released during March and April 2018 find that adaptation and land use continue to benefit the least from green bonds proceeds. This Update presents adaptation projects that have received support during these months, and recent initiatives to promote sustainable finance and provide guidance on related definitions and international standards. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » 8th Working Session of the ITPS 30 April - 4 May 2018 | Rome, Lazio, Italy 48th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies 30 April - 10 May 2018 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany ECOSOC Integration Segment 2018 1-3 May 2018 | New York City, US EMG Nexus Dialogue Series 2018: Biodiversity Mainstreaming in the Context of Human Security and Well... 2-3 May 2018 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland Sustainable Energy for All Forum 2018 2-3 May 2018 | Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal GEOSS Hack 2018 2-4 May 2018 | Frascati, Lazio, Rome, Italy Global Symposium on Soil Pollution 2-4 May 2018 | Rome, Lazio, Italy UNECA Regional Forum for Sustainable Development 2018 2-4 May 2018 | Senegal 7th Durban Forum on Capacity-building 3 May 2018 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Consultation on Synergies, Coherence and Overlap among UN Bodies in Light of 2030 Agenda 3-4 May 2018 | New York City, US Expert Group Meeting on SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production 3-4 May 2018 | New York City, US Second Meeting of the Paris Committee on Capacity-building 3-5 May 2018 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Dialogues with Candidates for President of 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 73) 4 May 2018 | New York City, US Africa Days 2018 4-5 May 2018 | Dakar, Kaolack, Senegal WMO Global Conference: Prosperity through Hydrological Services 7-9 May 2018 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland 13th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 13) 7-11 May 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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