Summary
Participants to the High-level Event Thematic Reviews for an Integrated Follow-Up and Review of the 2030 Agenda discussed “why” and “how” thematic reviews should be conducted under the High-level Political Forum (HLPF). Opening the meeting, the Permanent Representatives to the UN of Colombia, Germany and Sierra Leone reported on experiences and challenges in starting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation in their countries.
In a panel discussion on why thematic reviews should be conducted, speakers stressed, among other issues, that they can: strengthen the understanding of synergies and trade-offs among SDGs; contribute to the integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda; support countries in ensuring that the Agenda’s principles and ambitions are achieved; and provide complementary information to global indicators and statistics. Speakers also underlined the role of national parliaments and sustainability councils in the process and that the clusters for thematic reviews can be a lens through which countries can reflect on their goals and targets.
In the afternoon, participants met in three working groups. The first group discussed ways to reduce complexity and ensure integration, including challenges for data integration from local to global levels and the need to better link informal reporting to the HLPF. The second group discussed links to the HLPF process, highlighting that the UN currently has the right institutional architecture to support stakeholder participation, but it needs strong leadership from all stakeholders at all levels. The third group considered accountability and empowerment, noting that thematic reviews should report quantitatively and qualitatively, and be designed as learning process for all stakeholders.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily digital coverage from the High-Level Event “Towards Thematic Reviews for an Integrated Follow-Up & Review of the 2030 Agenda.” In addition, IISD Reporting Services has produced a summary report, which is available in HTML and PDF format.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
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Welcome and Morning Session
Jes Weigelt, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS)
Ivonne Lobos Alva, IASS
María Emma Mejía Vélez, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UN
Heiko Thoms, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN
Vandi Chidi Minah, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN
Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of Sustainability,
George Washington University
Alexander Müller, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for Agriculture and Food, and German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE)
David Nabarro, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (video message)
Felix Dodds, University of North Carolina
Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
Janine Felson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Belize to the UN
Afternoon Session: Working Groups
Working group on reducing complexity and ensuring integration
Francesca Perucci, Statistics Division, UN
David Le Blanc, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
Nandhini Krishna, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) Liaison Office
Participants during the discussion
Working group on links to the official HLPF process
Jeffery Huffines, World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS)
Tonya Vaturi, UNDESA
During the session
Working group on accountability and empowerment
Amy Soar, UK Mission to the UN
Lena Kahler, Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)
Layla Saad, World Centre for Sustainable Development (RIO+ Centre), UN Development Programme (UNDP)
Ideas captured during the working group
Wrap Up Session
Working Group 1 Facilitator Matheus Zanella, IASS
Moderator Alexander Müller, TEEB and RNE
Working Group 3 Rapporteur Nathaniel Don Marquez, Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC)
Working Group 2 Facilitator Franziska Linz, IASS
Evening Reception
Delegates gather for the evening reception
Around the Venue
Participants gather for the start of the meeting
Jes Weigelt and Ivonne Lobos Alva, IASS
Meeting agenda
Participants meet informally
Participants during the sessions
Materials on display
Around the venue
View of the Chrysler Building from the venue