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, 4 June 2019 GUEST ARTICLES CARD: Assessing Data for Climate-friendly Action in Rural Contexts Investing in rural development requires reliable and accurate data about agriculture, the preeminent economic activity outside of urban areas. Datasets on crop production increasingly need to take climate change into consideration, given its potentially profound repercussions for agriculture. Equipped with such adequate information, public and private investors can better assess specific field contexts, and thus commit their resources more appropriately. Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Helping Nature Help People Adapt to Climate Change and Deliver SDGs – Filling the Knowledge Gaps “Nature is our best bet to tackle climate change and secure the future,” said Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, at the declaration of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) in early March. Sustainable ecosystem management is pivotal to achieving the SDGs, in particular on climate change (SDG 13), poverty eradication (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), water (SDG 6) and biodiversity conservation (SDGs 14 and 15). To be precise, natural capital stocks and ecosystem service flows underpin all human activities towards accomplishing the SDGs. POLICY BRIEFS Monthly Forecast June 2019: From Beating Plastic Pollution to Circular Economy and Healthy Lives June 2019 begins and ends with issues where the environment and the economy intersect. Experts at the 2019 World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki this week made the case that we can “meet the needs of all within the means of the planet” by shifting from a “take-make-waste” economic model to a circular one. The results, participants pointed out, are not just environmental benefits but a “transition to healthy, resilient cities with a good life for all.” FEATURED World Health Assembly Adopts Resolutions on Universal Health Coverage 28 May 2019: Governments gathered at the World Health Assembly (WHA) agreed on four resolutions related to universal health care (UHC), addressing primary healthcare, the role of community health workers, emergency care systems and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on UHC. The Assembly also agreed on a global strategy on health, environment and climate change, as well as a global action plan to promote the health of refugees and migrants. Other Resolutions addressed antimicrobial resistance, WASH and NCDs. SIDS Address Climate Change, Education, Health in 2019 VNRs May 2019: The small island developing States (SIDS) that are expected to present voluntary national reviews (VNR) of SDG progress during the July 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) have released the main messages of their reviews. G7 Environment Ministers Commit to Fight Biodiversity Loss, Tackle Climate Change, Inequalities 6 May 2019: The Group of 7 (G7) Environment Ministers agreed on a Communiqué and the Metz Charter on Biodiversity at the G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting. The Communiqué addresses inequalities and inclusivity in transitioning towards a green future, the role of science and research in the context of sustainable development, international mobilization and leadership for biodiversity, international mobilization for climate, concrete solutions for the environment and their co-benefits, resource and energy efficiency, concrete solutions for biodiversity and their co-benefits, and sustainable finance and biodiversity. NEWS Registration Deadline Nears for Stakeholders Attending HLPF 3 June 2019: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development, has updated Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) on a number of ways in which to engage in the July and September 2019 sessions of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Antigua and Barbuda Launch Declaration to Encourage Action on Plastic Pollution 1 June 2019: The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has signed and launched ‘The Antigua and Barbuda Declaration,’ which aims to encourage all Caribbean countries to act to eliminate the use of single-use plastics and end pollution of the oceans. The Declaration is part of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) President’s global campaign against plastic pollution and single-use plastics. First Meeting of UN-Habitat Assembly Adopts Resolutions on Governance, Strategic Plan 31 May 2019: The inaugural session of the UN-Habitat Assembly focused on delivering results for addressing urban challenges. The discussions and outcomes from the week-long meeting directly link to other multilateral development meetings and processes, including the September 2019 Climate Action Summit and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP, ODI Argue for Risk-Informed Development to Make SDGs Resilient 28 May 2019: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) have released a publication warning that many sustainable development actions, including the SDGs, do not account for multiple, complex threats and dynamic trends, and are therefore not resilient. The report calls for risk-informed development to ensure more resilient sustainable development. Agroforestry Congress, ICRAF/FAO Publications Call for Transformation of Global Food System 25 May 2019: A “transformative change” is needed in governance, education and finance to speed up the adoption of agroforestry systems to help tackle “the disastrous impacts on our planet of the global food system.” This was one of the main conclusions of the fourth World Congress on Agroforestry, which is also echoed in publications launched at the event by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). OECD Ministers Consider Digital Transition for Sustainable Development 23 May 2019: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting spotlighted the importance of accessing information and communications technology, digital innovation and fostering skills to help countries achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. The meeting resulted in a Chair’s Statement and a Ministerial Council Statement. Advisory Group Calls for Accelerated, Scaled Up Progress on SDG 7 to Close Energy Gap 23 May 2019: The Multi-Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group on SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) (SDG7-TAG), convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), has released a series of policy briefs that call for accelerated action and more investment to achieve global energy targets. DESA Revises Economic Forecast Downwards, Cautions Negative Impacts on SDG Implementation 21 May 2019: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has reported that a broad-based growth slowdown in the global economy poses challenges for implementing the SDGs, particularly SDG 1 (no poverty). The mid-year World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report follows on WESP 2019, released in January. UNGA, ECOSOC Presidents Convene Group of Friends on VNRs, HLPF Review June 2019: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) and UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Presidents will expand a Group of Friends to consider two issues related to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: the yearly Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of national-level progress, and the intergovernmental review of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which is mandated to take place during the UNGA's 74th session (2019-2020). IMO Accelerates Action to Reduce GHG Emissions from Shipping 20 May 2019: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is accelerating action and implementing measures to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Global Symposium Calls for Action Plan to Tackle Governance of Soil Erosion 20 May 2019: While there is broad consensus on the physical processes of soil erosion and how to combat them, concerted efforts are still needed to tackle the “controversial questions” that undermine sustainable soil management in many areas of the world. These entrenched bottlenecks to tackling “the most significant threat to our planet’s soils,” provided the starting point for discussions, as well as an action plan developed at this year’s Global Symposium on Soil Erosion. Draft Political Declaration Outlines Leaders' Commitments on UHC 17 May 2019: The zero draft of a political declaration on universal health coverage is under consideration by UN Member States. The text highlights health as a right and stresses the importance of health for “all the goals and targets” of the 2030 Agenda. The draft was expected to be presented to governments on 21 May, discussed at informal consultations on 28 May, and considered further through informal consultations in June and early July. Global Workshop Prepares Countries for Last Stage of VNR Preparations May 2019: A global workshop for countries presenting voluntary national reviews in July 2019 addressed data, mobilizing resources, ownership, stakeholder engagement and communication, among other topics. The Second Global Workshop took place in February 2019, and the summary was released in May 2019. FAO Report Shares Lessons on Sustainable Bioeconomy Interventions May 2019: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released a working paper that provides policymakers and individuals working in bioeconomy initiatives with key considerations for implementing bioeconomy activities. The 26 case studies in the report reflect on the extent to which the bioeconomy interventions support the SDGs. Online Course Covers Fundamentals of Sustainable Finance May 2019: A new interactive, practice-oriented e-learning course covers the basics of sustainable finance, provides examples of UN-supported initiatives to promote sustainable finance in such countries as Mongolia and Indonesia, and shares insights gained during activities in emerging economies and interactions with market participants worldwide. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » CCICED Annual General Meeting 2019 2-5 June 2019 | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China World Circular Economy Forum 2019 (WCEF2019) 3-5 June 2019 | Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland Women Deliver 2019 Conference 3-6 June 2019 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada CIF Trust Fund Committee and Sub-Committee Meetings 3-7 June 2019 | Washington D.C., US 18th Session of the WMO Congress 3-14 June 2019 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland Election for President of 74th UN General Assembly 4 June 2019 | New York City, US Innovate4Climate 4-7 June 2019 | Singapore, Singapore World Environment Day 2019 5 June 2019 | China (worldwide) Chicago Forum on Global Cities 5-7 June 2019 | Chicago, IL, US Seventh Session of the Global Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly 5-7 June 2019 | Rome, Lazio, Italy World Oceans Day 2019 8 June 2019 | worldwide G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting 8-9 June 2019 | Fukuoka, Japan G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy 8-9 June 2019 | Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan 18th Responsible Business Summit Europe 2019 10-12 June 2019 | London, England, UK Consultation Workshop of Biodiversity-related Conventions on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Frame... 10-12 June 2019 | Bern, Switzerland 56th Meeting of the GEF Council 10-13 June 2019 | Washington D.C., 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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