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, 10 May 2018 POLICY BRIEFS A Short Guide to HLPF 2018 Preparations, Inputs and Agenda SDG 17, on the means of implementation for the 2030 Agenda and partnership for sustainable development, will be the subject of an expert meeting recently announced as preparation for the 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Many other activities are underway as well, including additional expert group meetings and the preparation of 47 voluntary national reviews of SDG implementation. GENERATION 2030 Youth Initiatives Foster SDG Implementation, Peace and Security May 2018: In Sri Lanka, a campaign is mobilizing and funding youth-action on SDG implementation. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council held its first open debate and considered a report on youth, peace and security - steps towards finalizing the UN Strategy on Youth and fostering the engagement of young people in the 2030 Agenda. In addition, under the umbrella of SDG 16 (peace, security and strong institutions), the UN-Habitat Urban Peace Labs programme is promoting behavioral change among youth to prevent conflict and violence and to create livelihood opportunities. FEATURED Africa Regional Forum Agrees on Over 50 Messages for HLPF 6 May 2018: The fourth Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development agreed on key messages to the 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The meeting report includes over 50 key messages pertaining to SDGs 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 15 (life on land) and 17 (partnerships for the Goals). SDG 12 Experts Focus on Food Waste, Plastic-clogged Ocean 4 May 2018: Experts in sustainable consumption and production (SCP) have taken stock of progress toward SDG 12 and brainstormed levers for faster change, in the lead up to the July 2018 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The two-day expert group meeting, convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), featured in-depth discussions on climate action, ocean action, plastic pollution in the ocean, food loss and waste, and sustainable transport as they relate to SCP. Guide Highlights Role of Management Accountants in Implementing SDGs 8 May 2018: A guide to help management accountants and their organizations achieve the SDGs has been published by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA). The guide titled, ‘Creating a Sustainable Future: The Role of the Accountant in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals,’ details how businesses and management accountants can benefit from SDG-related opportunities, and how finance professionals can help achieve an organization’s social and socio-economic objectives. NEWS 21 Countries (to date) Planning to Present VNRs at HLPF 2019 10 May 2018: As 47 countries prepare to present their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the July 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2018), 21 countries have already announced their intention to present VNRs during HLPF 2019. Second Draft of Refugee Compact under Discussion in Geneva 8 May 2018: UN Member States began discussion on the second draft of the global compact on refugees, which was issued by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi on 3 May 2018. According to the draft, a Global Refugee Forum would be convened every four years and would provide an opportunity to make new pledges and to take stock of and review the implementation of previous pledges to progress toward the achievement of the compact’s objectives. ESCAP: Regional Growth Provides Opportunity to Step Up Development Financing 7 May 2018: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has launched its annual flagship survey of the region, which shows strong economic performance and an overall increase in economic growth from 5.4% in 2016 to 5.8% in 2017. Besides providing a macroeconomic survey of the region, the report proposes ways that public and private-sector organizations can make the necessary financing available for implementing the 2030 Agenda. Co-Facilitators Appointed for High-level Meeting on SDGs in Middle-Income Countries 7 May 2018: UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Miroslav Lajcak has appointed two co-facilitators for a high-level meeting to discuss the gaps and challenges of middle-income countries (MICs) in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UNGA requested the meeting in a 2017 resolution on ‘Development cooperation with middle-income countries.’ Ocean Risk Summit Publications Discuss Ocean Change 9 May 2018: Two publications, supported by XL Catlin and launched during the Ocean Risk Summit, introduce risks related to a warming, changing ocean and make recommendations for the insurance industry to address the impacts of ocean change. WHO, UNDP to Cooperate on 2030 Agenda Health-Related Targets 7 May 2018: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a five-year agreement to cooperate on helping countries achieve the 2030 Agenda’s health-related targets. WHO is also launching the largest-ever immunization drive against cholera, and is calling for more attention to mental health as one of the world’s most neglected health issues. UNFCCC Provides Training on Modeling Tools to Analyze Impacts of Response Measures 5 May 2018: The UNFCCC held the first-ever training workshop on modeling tools to analyze potential economic consequences of emission reduction measures, also known as “response measures.” Representatives from academia, research institutions, international organizations and governments shared their experiences in applying a range of modeling tools to identify the unintended impacts of response measures and use the results to facilitate policy making. Inaugural Symposium Launches Global Campaign to Tackle Soil Pollution 4 May 2018: The launch of a global campaign titled 'Be the Solution to Soil Pollution' is one of the main outcomes of the inaugural Global Symposium on Soil Pollution (GSOP18), which convened from 2-4 May 2018, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in Rome, Italy. WHO Data: Combating Air Pollution Necessary to Improve Health, Meet SDGs 3 May 2018: Nine out of ten people breathe air containing high pollutant levels, according to recently-released World Health Organization (WHO) data, which acknowledge that air pollution levels remain alarmingly high in many parts of the world. The data was presented on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference, which is convening in Bonn, Germany, through 10 May 2018. ILO Report: Two Billion People Engaged in Informal Economy 1 May 2018: The UN International Labour Organization (ILO) released a report finding that over two billion people globally earn their living in the informal economy. ILO released the report on International Workers Day, observed annually on 1 May. Publication Recommends Stronger Laws, Policies to Implement Paris Agreement May 2018: The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the LSE Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, UK, in partnership with the University of Leeds, UK, and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at the Columbia Law School, New York, US, have published a policy brief highlighting global trends in climate change legislation and litigation. UN-Habitat, Think City Partner to Advance New Urban Agenda, SDG 11 30 April 2018: The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Malaysian non-governmental organization (NGO) Think City to create a partnership to advance the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). Pacific Ministers Propose Establishing Resilience, Climate Insurance Funds 27 April 2018: The Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) considered proposals to establish a financing facility to channel funds towards resilient infrastructure, and a climate insurance facility to protect against the effects of climate change on Smaller Island States (SIS). CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » 48th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies 30 April - 10 May 2018 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 13th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 13) 7-11 May 2018 | New York City, US 37th Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean 7-11 May 2018 | Havana, Ciudad De La Habana, Cuba E-waste Academy - Managers Edition (EWAM) 2018 7-11 May 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand Cartagena Protocol Compliance Committee Meeting 8-10 May 2018 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada Ocean Risk Summit 8-10 May 2018 | Bermuda Sixth National Climate Adaptation Conference 8-10 May 2018 | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia EBRD 2018 Annual Meeting and Business Forum 9-10 May 2018 | Dead Sea {greater region}, Jordan Seedbeds of Transformation: The Role of Science with Society and the SDGs in Africa 9-11 May 2018 | South Africa 74th session of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 11-16 May 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand 49th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum 13-14 May 2018 | Djibouti, Djibouti 4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 13-16 May 2018 | TBA Expert Group Meeting on SDG 15: Progress and Prospects 14-15 May 2018 | New York City, US OECD Social Policy Forum and Ministerial Meeting 14-15 May 2018 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada Regional Political-Technical Dialogue on Water, Energy and Food Nexus 14-15 May 2018 | Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile Vienna Energy Forum 2018 Special Session 14-16 May 2018 | Vienna, Wien, Austria 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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