Click here to visit the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub knowledgebase.  SDG UPDATE A compilation of items recently posted to the SDG Knowledge Hub Tuesday, 16 October 2018 GUEST ARTICLES Forest and Farm Producers Organize to Fight Hunger, Climate Change Climate change. Hunger. Poverty. These enormous global challenges and our search for solutions dominate the headlines daily. In countries from Ecuador to Ghana to Viet Nam, smallholder forest and farm producers, including women, youth and indigenous people, are organizing themselves to find practical answers to these challenges. Closing the Biodiversity Action Gap They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The graph below, which contrasts media coverage of Climate Change (CC) with that of Biodiversity (BD) over the past 30 years, lays out at a glance one of the central paradoxes of sustainable development. Metagovernance for Sustainability: A Full Toolbox for Implementing the SDGs Why is governance for sustainability often so difficult, cumbersome, or even failing? Why does the “right” solution – i.e. one that actually works – often seem out of reach while standard but ineffective/inadequate solutions prevail? Some would point at a lack of political will, power, resources or skills. All of this plays a role but it is not the only cause. POLICY BRIEFS CETA Joint Committee Adopts Recommendation on Trade, Climate Action and the Paris Agreement Twenty years ago, critics of free trade and global investment policies mobilized against the negotiations launched by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) towards a multilateral agreement on investment, which were followed by the 1999 Seattle World Trade Organization (WTO) protests. Civil Society groups demonstrated their concerns about labor issues and the protection of the environment, among others. FEATURED ECOSOC, UNGA Committee Discuss Leveraging Circular Economy to Advance SDGs 10 October 2018: During a joint meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Second Committee (Economic and Financial) and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UN Member States, experts and stakeholders considered ways to leverage the model of a circular economy to advance the SDGs. Participants outlined the need for global agreement on a definition of "circular economy," and to make the concept appealing to the public and policymakers in order to stimulate action and deliverables. IOM Provides Guidance on Integrating Migration into SDG Planning 9 October 2018: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a guide to help policymakers integrate the migration aspects of the SDGs into local and national planning processes. The guide titled, 'Migration and the 2030 Agenda: A Guide for Practitioners,' discusses the interlinkages between migration and the SDGs and suggests a process for integrating migration and the SDGs into legislation, policies, programmes, projects and other initiatives. ECLAC, OECD Development Centre Examine Approach for Leaving No One Behind in Transitions 24 September 2018: A joint report by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Centre outlines the need for a comprehensive approach to international development cooperation that aligns with domestic policymaking, and supports the movement of countries up the income ladder. The paper on advancing the concept of "development in transition" was launched at an event in New York, US. UNEP, WTO Paper Considers How Trade Can Promote Prosperity, Resilience 2 October 2018: A joint publication by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) identifies how governments can work to ensure that trade and a healthy environment are mutually reinforcing. Titled, ‘Making Trade Work for the Environment, Prosperity and Resilience,’ the report “connects the dots” between sustainability, prosperity and resilience, identifies opportunities for cooperation on trade and the environment, and highlights where and how the WTO and UNEP are working in partnership. NEWS FAO State of Food and Agriculture Report Focuses on Making Migration Work for All 15 October 2018: The 2018 edition of the State of Food and Agriculture Report (SOFA 2018) released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) focuses on the causes and impacts of migration. It recommends that policies should aim to maximize the benefits of migration rather than attempting to prevent it. UNFCCC Issues Provisional Agendas for Katowice Climate Change Conference 12 October 2018: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published provisional agendas for the meetings that will convene during the Katowice Climate Change Conference. The Conference will include: the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 24); the 14th session of the COP serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 14); and the third part of the first session of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1-3), which is expected to consider the outcomes of the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) during the second week of the conference. Water Convention MOP Adopts New Strategy 12 October 2018: Parties at the eighth Meeting of the Parties (MOP8) to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) welcomed Chad and Senegal as the first countries from outside the Pan-European region to accede to the Convention, and adopted a new global strategy. Arctic Congress Highlights Need for “Strong Arctic Voice” in Biodiversity Debates 12 October 2018: The second meeting of the Arctic Biodiversity Congress considered six themes: climate change; ecosystem-based management; mainstreaming biodiversity; addressing individual stressors on biodiversity; identifying and safeguarding important areas for biodiversity; and improving knowledge and public awareness. African Group Outlines Expectations for COP 24 11 October 2018: African countries have solidified their position and articulated their expectations ahead of the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UNFCCC in December 2018, which is expected to finalize implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement on climate change. Chilean Researchers Create ‘SoluBag’ to #BeatPlasticPollution 10 October 2018: Researchers in Chile have created a bag that can dissolve in water. The bag has the potential to contribute to reducing marine plastic pollution. UNISDR Report Finds “Dramatic Rise” in Climate-related Disasters 10 October 2018: The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) released a report that finds economic losses from climate-related disasters have increased by 151 percent. The report recommends integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) into investment decisions to ensure sustainable development in a changing climate. In Second Committee Debate, Countries Call for Moving Beyond Income to Achieve SDGs 10 October 2018: The UN General Assembly’s Second Committee (Economic and Financial) conducted its general debate for the 73rd session. Governments highlighted issues related to: the need for access to concessional financing and sequenced graduation policies for the least developed countries (LDCs); the fight against climate change; and promotion of gender equality. Mongolia Launches Asia-Pacific Region’s First NDC Partnership Plan 9 October 2018: Mongolia has launched the Asia-Pacific region’s first nationally determined contribution (NDC) Partnership Plan to help combat the impacts of climate change, and mitigate the effects of desertification, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity, which are threatening the country’s traditional nomadic culture. The country has adopted a holistic approach regarding climate action, as well as technologies to facilitate cooperation and coordination on NDC implementation. Workshop Explores Value of Blue Natural Capital 4 October 2018: The Lisbon Workshop on Blue Natural Capital (BNC) explored how to mainstream BNC in economic science, corporate accounting, ecosystem management and policy and international processes, and highlighted case studies on valuing BNC and its use in conservation strategies, revenue models, and business cases for a sustainable ocean economy. Article Analyzes Potential of Ocean Actions to Address Climate Change, Marine Ecosystems 4 October 2018: A group of researchers have published an article that assesses 13 global and local ocean-based measures to reduce climate change and its impacts on marine ecosystems and ecosystem services. The article finds high potential for ocean-based options to address climate change and its impacts. HSBC Malaysia Issues Islamic Bond to Support SDGs 3 October 2018: HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad has launched the world’s first SDG sukuk, an Islamic bond. The sukuk aims to finance projects that benefit the environment and communities, and is the first sukuk issuance by a financial institution that references the SDGs as the beneficiary of the proceeds. African Forest Restoration Pledges Exceed 2030 Target, Boost Bonn Challenge Achievements 2 October 2018: In just three years since its launch, pledges by 27 countries under the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) have surpassed the regional target of restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. Climate Week NYC Showcases Multi-level Climate Action 30 September 2018: The tenth edition of Climate Week NYC sought to showcase climate actions and generate political momentum to ensure a strong outcome at the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December 2018, where the implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement on climate change are expected to be adopted. ILC Bandung Declaration Links Agrarian Reform to Land and Social Justice 27 September 2018: An 11-point declaration adopted by the Assembly of Members of the International Land Coalition (ILC) identifies agrarian reform and protecting land and environmental defenders as two urgent areas for action. The Declaration states that success in achieving the SDGs will depend on “our willingness to fundamentally transform systems that promote inequality and injustice, and fuel conflict and exclusion.” SIDA, DESA Plan for Global SDG Investor Network 27 September 2018: A meeting convened by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in the margins of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly discussed the establishment of a global investor network that would advocate for the scaling up of long-term finance for sustainable development. DESA aims to launch the network in April 2019. Carbon Neutrality Coalition Convenes Inaugural Meeting, Welcomes New Members 27 September 2018: Announced at the One Planet Summit in 2017, the Carbon Neutrality Coalition held its inaugural high-level meeting in the margins of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 73). Convened by the Governments of New Zealand and Marshall Islands, the event welcomed new members, highlighted the Coalition’s goals and described countries’ initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Bloomberg Global Business Forum Highlights Initiatives on Gender, Urban Mobility, Migration 26 September 2018: The Bloomberg Global Business Forum (GBF) met on the overarching theme of strengthening prosperity through trade. More than 70 Heads of State and 200 CEOs announced a series of partnerships, agreements and initiatives, while breakout sessions reviewed finance, migration, changing demographics, technology and economic issues. Guide Seeks to Help Pacific Island Countries Achieve Net Zero Emissions 24 September 2018: ClimateWorks Australia has launched a guide to help Pacific island countries create long-term, climate-resilient and net zero emissions pathways. The publication titled, ‘Horizon to Horizon: A Pacific Island Country Guide to Creating Long Term Climate Resilience, Net Zero Emissions Development and a Sustainable Future,’ was developed in consultation with stakeholders from across the region. Stockholm Convention’s Review Committee Takes Up “Live” Chemicals 21 September 2018: The 14th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-14) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) considered three chemicals that are “found in everything from fire-fighting foams to food packaging, and sometimes used as alternatives in similar or the same products.” CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » 20th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) 10-19 October 2018 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland Cairo Water Week 2018 14-18 October 2018 | Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt Sixth Session of the Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFi... 15-18 October 2018 | Izmir, Turkey Young Global Leaders and Alumni Annual Summit 2018 15-18 October 2018 | San Francisco, CA, US 2018 Annual General Meeting of the IGF 15-19 October 2018 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland 45th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 45) 15-19 October 2018 | Rome, Lazio, Italy Launch of Ceres2030: Sustainable Solutions to End Hunger 16 October 2018 | Rome, Lazio, Italy Ocean Energy Conference 16 October 2018 | Brussels, Belgium World Food Day 2018 16 October 2018 | worldwide IFC 2018 Climate Business Forum 16-17 October 2018 | Vienna, Wien, Austria Third Global Conference on Health and Climate, Grenada 16-17 October 2018 | Grenada 2018 International Symposium of Ecohydrology and Water Security: Opportunities and Challenges from D... 16-18 October 2018 | Xian, Shaanxi, China Cities Conference II: Towards Safe, Affordable and Sustainable Urban Mobility in Latin America and t... 16-19 October 2018 | Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile ESCAP Committee on Statistics, Sixth Session 16-19 October 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand Understanding Risk Finance Pacific Forum 16-19 October 2018 | Port Vila, Shefa, Vanuatu 6th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum 17-19 October 2018 | Manila, Philippines 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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