Click here to visit the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub knowledgebase.  SDG UPDATE A compilation of items recently posted to the SDG Knowledge Hub Monday, 9 July 2018 GUEST ARTICLES Where Are We in Achieving SDG 15? Biodiversity is essential for all life on Earth, including human life. Forests cover around 30% of the Earth’s land area, containing 80% of terrestrial biomass and providing habitat for over half of the world’s known terrestrial plant and animal species. Many of which provide humanity with essential benefits and services. The biodiversity of inland water, addressed as well by SDG 15, sustains ecosystems and ecosystem services that are key for human well-being, as well as for many life stages of aquatic and migratory species. An Open Goal: Why Forests and Nature Need to be at the Center of the Sustainable Development Agenda In fewer than 900 days, the world will have halted deforestation, taken urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity, and ensured that ecosystems are being conserved, restored and sustainably used. A Hidden Carcinogen in Water: How the SDGs Can Help When people think about sustainable development goals, they often envision arid developing countries or communities struggling in the wake of a natural disaster. While this is partially accurate, these sustainability goals are far more encompassing, impacting all degrees of development and civilization. Water quality is certainly an important issue and an integral part of achieving sustainable and healthy communities. Today, developed nations like the United States are experiencing a number of water quality issues caused by contamination from toxic substances, including asbestos. POLICY BRIEFS SDG Knowledge Weekly: Finance, Infrastructure and Sustainable Investment With the international community beginning its two-week review of progress towards the SDGs at the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), this week’s brief looks at means of financing the Goals, with a focus on infrastructure. FEATURED Negotiations on HLPF Outcome Shift to Bilaterals 6 July 2018: Governments concluded their informal meetings on the joint ministerial declaration for adoption at the 2018 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and the High-level Segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The co-facilitators will continue consulting bilaterally with groups to achieve consensus on outstanding issues. Synthesis Report Highlights Challenges in Meeting Global Water Goals 5 July 2018: The world is not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goal on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), according to an UN-Water Report based on the latest data available for the 11 SDG 6 global indicators. The report titled, 'SDG 6 Synthesis Report 2018 on Water and Sanitation,' offers the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) a "joint position from the UN family on the global status on SDG 6 and other water-related targets." DESA Debuts VNR Labs at HLPF 2018 6 July 2018: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) will convene a series of ‘Voluntary National Review (VNR) Labs’ during the ministerial segment of the 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The VNR Labs are organized in response to demand from Member States, UN bodies and major groups and other stakeholders to take stock of experience with VNRs, DESA notes. Responding to Secretary-General's Progress Report, MGOS Call for Increased Urgency to Achieve SDGs 5 July 2018: Major groups and other stakeholders (MGOS) released a response to the 2018 SDGs Progress Report of the UN Secretary-General, ahead of the 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). In a statement, MGOS reflect that a sense of urgency around achieving the SDGs is lacking, even though “the world is not on track to reach the 2030 Agenda.” NEWS Stakeholders Respond to SDG 6 Synthesis Report July 2018: UN-Water has concluded one of three public dialogues on the 'SDG 6 Synthesis Report 2018 on Water and Sanitation.' The dialogue, which will continue through September, will canvass the following issues: overall feedback (moderated, 2 - 31 May); main messages for the High-level Political Forum (moderated, 25 June - 20 July); and looking forward and next steps (moderated, 31 August - 30 September). Co-Facilitators Make "Last Attempt" at Agreement on ECOSOC Reform Review 6 July 2018: The co-facilitators of the process to review reforms to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) have issued a final text of a draft resolution on ‘Review of the implementation of General Assembly resolution 68/1 on the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council.’ They announced that it will be under silence procedure until 10 July at 5pm, New York time. LDCs Meet to Advance Paris Agreement Operationalization Ahead of COP 24 4 July 2018: The Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Climate Change, a negotiating bloc that includes LDCs from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific, recently met to galvanize support and help build momentum for an ambitious outcome at the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UNFCCC in December in Katowitce, Poland. BCCIC Assesses Canada's Progress on SDGs 4 July 2018: An independent report from the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) notes that Canada is currently not on track to implement the 2030 Agenda. The authors express encouragement, however, that the country has committed CAN$100 million dollars in 2018 toward SDG implementation and coordination. Civil Society Organizations Outline 11 SDG Recommendations for Switzerland 3 July 2018: Some civil society organizations of countries that are presenting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) at the 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) have issued independent reports that assess national progress on the SDGs. In Switzerland for instance, Platform Agenda 2030, which involves more than 40 civil society actors working towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, released a report with recommendations on respecting planetary boundaries, human rights, participation and inclusion, policy coherence for sustainable development, and institutional arrangements. Stakeholders Report on SDG Progress and Challenges in Pakistan July 2018: Stakeholders in Pakistan have issued a report outlining their the country’s achievements and challenges related to SDG implementation. Pakistan is scheduled to present a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Central Asia, South Caucasus Enhance Regional Cooperation to Implement Sendai Framework, 2030 Agenda 29 June 2018: The 2018 Sub-Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the Central Asia and South Caucasus has issued a declaration emphasizing the participants’ commitment to strengthening implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCWA Ministerial Launches Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies 29 June 2018: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) 30th Ministerial Session established an ESCWA-led Arab centre for climate change policies to prepare studies and build Arab capacity, especially in the field of climate change negotiations. WMO Annual Report Highlights the Role of Climate Services and Information in Advancing SDGs 21 June 2018: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued its 2017 annual report titled, ‘Services for Decision-Making.’ The report provides an overview of progress made by the WMO and its members to improve the delivery of predictions and information by ensuring that service providers consult with users when developing new services to better help communities prepare for climate change and build resilience. UNESCO Creative Cities Network Commits to Culture- and Creativity-led SDG Implementation 16 June 2018: The 12th Annual Meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which met under the theme ‘Creative Crossroads,’ highlighted the ways in which cultural and creative industries can generate decent work and economic growth that impact cities, help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » World Cities Summit 2018 8-12 July 2018 | Singapore HLPF Exhibit: Camp One Planet 9 July 2018 | New York City, US UN High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs - First Meeting 9-10 July 2018 | New York City, US 33rd Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 33) 9-13 July 2018 | Rome, Lazio, Italy 40th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol 9-13 July 2018 | Vienna, Wien, Austria Intergovernmental Negotiations on Migration Compact - July 2018 9-13 July 2018 | New York City, US Second Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation of the CBD 9-13 July 2018 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2018 9-18 July 2018 | New York City, US HLPF Side Event: Implementing SDG 12 - One Plan for One Planet 10 July 2018 | New York City, US Global Workshop on Long-term Low Emission and Development Strategies 2018 10-11 July 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand High-Level Policy Dialogue: Financing the SDGs in Africa 10-12 July 2018 | Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt HLPF Film Festival: SDGs in Action 11 July 2018 | New York City, US HLPF Side Event: Supporting Integrated Implementation of the SDGs: Tools for Addressing SDG Connecti... 11 July 2018 | TBA HLPF Special Event: Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) 2018 11 July 2018 | New York City, US Sixth UK Land Policy Forum 11 July 2018 | London, England, UK Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2018 11-13 July 2018 | Singapore 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). Click here for further information on the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub .