19 July 2016: On the sidelines of the 2016 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Federal Government of Germany held an event highlighting diverse perspectives on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting a public consultation process to revise the country’s National Sustainable Development Strategy.

At the event on 19 July 2016, in New York, US, speakers from different groups of German government and society shared their views on the plans for SDG implementation. The revised National Sustainable Development Strategy will be “a key framework” for Germany’s implementation of the SDGs both inside and outside the country. The revision is expected to be agreed by the Federal Cabinet in fall 2016, following the public consultations currently underway.

From the government, Thomas Silberhorn, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, said the most important source from which to mobilize resources for the SDGs is the private sector, and that governments’ role should be catalytic in this regard.

From the parliament, Carsten Trager, Member of German Bundestag and Parliamentary Advisory Council on Sustainable Development, Social Democratic Party, said the Advisory Council seeks to have sustainability designated as a national objective in Germany’s constitution, noting that at least four planetary boundaries already have been crossed. He added that the the country’s indicator and target system has been adapted to the SDGs.

Also from the parliament, Matern von Marschall, Member of German Bundestag and Parliamentary Advisory Council on Sustainable Development, Christian Democratic Union, called to strengthen parliamentarians’ participation in the SDGs, recalling that the inclusion of civil society and parliamentarians “came late” in the SDG creation process.

Rupert Heindl, Youth Delegate for Sustainable Development, who was part of Germany’s delegation to the HLPF, welcomed the inclusion of all 17 Goals in the national strategy. He said that to achieve universal sustainability, lifestyles in Europe must be reshaped, and this must be reflected both in the national strategy and in communication with the public. He said young people see the urgent need for change and recognize that “we have exceeded planetary boundaries and that migration will affect us all.”

Martin Schroeder, Federation of German Industries, said of German industry, “we know of our responsibility” in regard to achieving the SDGs. He said German business contributes to sustainable development by introducing innovations and using energy more efficiently, inter alia. He noted that while the aim of the 2030 Agenda is transformative, he wants Germany to “stay an industrialized country.”

Marie-Luise Abshagen, German NGO Forum on Environment and Development, observed shrinking space for civil society and activists around the world, and called for a “U-turn” in how people are included in political processes. She also cautioned against consuming in ways that cause others to suffer, saying Germany’s ecological footprint is “enormous.”

Daniel Jüttner, VENRO, said Germany should support, not hinder, an international tax body at the UN, and support strengthened MOI as outlined in SDG 17. [IISD RS Sources] [IISD RS Coverage of HLPF 2016] [Schedule of Side Events]