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, 21 March 2019 GUEST ARTICLES What They Left Behind: Leadership, Loss and the Gift of Purpose By Steven Stone, UNEP Was it merely a coincidence that the airport workers of Jomo Kenyatta International went on strike one hour after my plane landed in Nairobi to join the fourth UN Environment Assembly? Many were stranded as the stand-off and tear gas ensued, but that was not the worst of it. Four days later, flight ET302 fell from the sky, carrying 157 people from 33 different countries to their death. POLICY BRIEFS SDG Knowledge Weekly: Climate Risk and Action, and Society's Responses On 15 March, youth demonstrations and “climate strikes” took place in over 100 countries, on every continent, affirming the next generation’s commitment to fighting climate change. The movement highlights that stakeholders across society are becoming increasingly aware of the risks that climate change poses to both present-day and future development. These risks and varying levels of awareness and knowledge about them serves as the focus of this SDG Knowledge Weekly brief. FEATURED Adaptation Finance Update: Number of Climate Adaptation Projects Increases, So Must Their Quality 19 March 2019: According to the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6), launched at the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), climate adaptation programmes have not effectively dealt with multiple slow and rapid onset hazards, such as floods, droughts, tropical cyclones and sea level rise. Instead of addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability, they are often undertaken through sectoral programmes in, for example, agriculture, health and disaster management. Governments, UN Finalize Funding Compact for SDGs 6 March 2019: The UN Deputy Secretary-General circulated to UN Member States the final draft of the funding compact that will be discussed during the Operational Activities for Development Segment (OAS) of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The 15-page "Funding Compact" aims to provide the financial support needed for the alignment of the UN development system with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. NEWS States Share Views on International Migration Review Forum Modalities 20 March 2019: Delegates met to discuss modalities and organizational aspects of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) called for in the Global Compact for Migration. Per the Global Compact, the IMRF will serve as the “primary intergovernmental global platform” to discuss and share progress on the implementation of all aspects of the Compact, including as it relates to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNEA-4 Calls for Strengthened Approach to Sustainable Nitrogen Management 15 March 2019: During the closing plenary of the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), delegates adopted a resolution calling for a coordinated and collaborative approach to sustainable nitrogen (N) management. UN-Habitat Publications Focus on Urban River Rehabilitation and Net Zero Carbon Villages in China 19 March 2019: The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has launched a publication on the rehabilitation of polluted urban rivers in China and other countries and guidelines for net zero carbon villages in the Yangtze Delta Region, China. The publications help advance SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) in the country. Synthesis Report for Global Chemicals Outlook II Highlights Gaps and Opportunities 11 March 2019: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released the Synthesis Report for the Global Chemicals Outlook II during the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), ahead of the official launch in April 2019 at the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG3) of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) in Montevideo, Uruguay. UNEP’s Annual Report Highlights Advances in Phasing Out Single-use Plastics, Cutting Cooling and Heating Emissions 7 March 2019: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) published its 2018 Annual Report, which details UNEP’s work on: climate change; cutting cooling and heating emissions; disasters and conflicts; building resilience and peace in Darfur, Sudan; protecting a peatland in Central Africa; environmental governance; chemicals and waste; resource efficiency; and environment under review. UNCTAD Explores Financing Sources for SDGs in Cities March 2019: The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published an issue of its 'IPA Observer' on promoting investment for sustainable development and the SDGs in cities. UNCTAD explains that with 68% of the world’s population projected to be urban by 2050, meeting the SDGs means meeting the Goals in the city. The paper explores ways to mobilize investment for cities, including through investment promotion agencies (IPAs). UNFF Reflects on Forest Policy Coherence 15 February 2019: In preparation for the 14th session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 14), the UNFF Secretariat released a background note that shares information on how various organizations and stakeholders have advanced cooperation, coordination and engagement on forest-related issues as part of efforts to advance implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF), achievement of the global forest goals and targets, and the SDGs. UNFF Note Highlights Linkages Among Forests, SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 15 February 2019: In preparation for the 14th session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 14), the UNFF Secretariat released a background note on implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF). The note provides information on technical discussions on forests and the SDGs, and shares findings from analytical studies on forests and the SDGs. UNFF Shares Update on Forest Financing Facilitation Network 15 February 2019: In preparation for the 14th session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 14), the UNFF Secretariat released a background note on the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network. The note outlines intersessional work related to the Network’s online clearinghouse mechanism, and suggests proposals and recommendations for discussion at UNFF 14. UNFF Reports Progress on Monitoring Implementation of Strategic Plan 15 February 2019: In preparation for the 14th session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 14), the UNFF Secretariat has released a background note on progress towards implementing the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF). The note shares suggestions and proposals for UNFF 14’s consideration. Data Tool Identifies Links Among Human Rights Framework, 2030 Agenda January 2019: The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) has released an updated version of its SDG-Human Rights Data Explorer, which allows users to explore the links between human rights and the SDGs. The database aims to promote a more coherent, systematic framework for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as to facilitate follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda. ICCA Report Highlights Chemical Industry’s Contribution to Global Economy 11 March 2019: The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) has released a report that reviews the chemical industry’s contributions to the global economy. The report titled, ‘The Global Chemical Industry: Catalyzing Growth and Addressing Our World’s Sustainability Challenges,’ examines the economic footprint of the chemical industry’s direct and indirect activities and services in sectors involved in the supply chain of chemical products. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » 63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women 11-22 March 2019 | New York City, US Blue Oceans Conference 18-21 March 2019 | Monrovia, Montserrado, Liberia Africa Climate Week 2019 18-22 March 2019 | Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana 15th Meeting of the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee 19-21 March 2019 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Regional Consultation on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework for WEOG and Other Members of t... 19-21 March 2019 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 1st WASAG International Forum on Water Scarcity in Agriculture 19-22 March 2019 | Praia, Cape Verde 20th Meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF 20) 20-22 March 2019 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Second High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation 20-22 March 2019 | Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina International Day of Forests 2019 21 March 2019 | worldwide 2019 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region 21-22 March 2019 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland Regional Consultation on Climate Change for the 2019 AFSD and HLPF 21-22 March 2019 | Beirut, Beyrouth, Lebanon Participatory Science for Sustainable Development 22 March 2019 | Paris, Ile-De-France, France World Water Day 2019 22 March 2019 | worldwide Geneva Forum for Sustainable Infrastructure 22-23 March 2019 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland Vietnam International Water Week (VACI2019) 22-25 March 2019 | Hanoi, Ha Noi, Viet Nam 10th Meeting of the Monaco Blue Initiative 24-25 March 2019 | Principality of Monaco, Monaco 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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