| FEATURED Report Presents Methodology for Measuring Fossil Fuel Subsidies May 2019: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has published a report that details the first internationally agreed methodology to help countries increase transparency on fossil fuel subsidies. Governments Exchange Views on Details of SDG Summit Outcome 7 June 2019: During a standing-room only informal-informal consultation on Friday afternoon, 7 June, UN Member States offered detailed suggestions on the political declaration to be adopted at the SDG Summit in September 2019. This first consultation covered all three sections of the zero draft of the declaration. A new draft is expected on 10 June. NEWS GEF Council and CSOs Discuss Partnership Model, Plastic Pollution Solutions 10 June 2019: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council Consultation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) discussed a proposed paradigm for GEF-CSO partnership as an effective tool for more meaningful engagement of civil society and community-based organizations within the GEF architecture. Participants also considered practical experiences and lessons learned regarding the production, consumption and waste management of plastics. Co-facilitators Issue Zero Draft on International Migration Review Forum 7 June 2019: The co-facilitators for consultations on the modalities and organizational aspects of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) issued the zero draft of a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution. The first consultation on the zero draft will take place on 11 June 2019, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, with further consultations planned for 20 and 26 June. UN Shares Stakeholder Input on HLPF Theme, SDGs Under Review 6 June 2019: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) released a summary report consolidating messages from stakeholders on the SDGs that will be reviewed during the July 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF): Goals 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 17. The UN also released an advance unedited version of a report on major groups and other relevant stakeholders’ positions on the theme of this year’s HLPF, ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.’ More Countries Advancing SDG 12 through Tourism Policies, UNWTO Finds 5 June 2019: Countries are increasingly integrating sustainability into their tourism policies, according to a report that provides the first-ever global assessment of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) factors within national tourism policies. SDG target 12.b calls for developing and implementing tools to monitor sustainable development impacts of tourism. UNECE Review of Kazakhstan’s Environmental Performance Recommends Mainstreaming SDGs June 2019: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has reviewed Kazakhstan’s environmental performance and recommended actions for achieving the SDGs. The review welcomes the steps Kazakhstan has taken to enshrine the SDGs in its national institutions and policy, and its achievement of some health, energy and waste collection targets. However, the review cautions that large regional variations remain, and no systematic effort has been made to explicitly integrate the SDGs into sectoral programmes and plans. Who is Investing in the Technology Transition to a Low Carbon Economy, and Where? June 2019: A clear upward trend in the global market of green and sustainable bonds is underway. These bonds help mobilize private capital for climate and sustainability friendly projects and activities. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) notes annual issuances have increased from USD 13 billion in 2013 to more than USD 150 billion in 2018. The Climate Bonds Initiative saw green bond issuance reaching USD 47.9 billion in the first quarter of 2019 alone, surpassing Q1 2018 volume of USD 33.8 billion by 42%. This update informs on developments seen over the last month in green, climate sustainability and social bonds, as well as corporate reporting on climate risks and opportunities and climate technology deployment initiatives. OECD Review Urges Norway to Show How Development Aid Contributes to SDGs May 2019: Members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducted a peer review of Norway’s humanitarian and development aid system, and provided recommendations for improvement. The review finds much to praise, including Norway’s support for multilateral solutions, its increase of funding to 1% of gross national income (GNI) for official development assistance (ODA), its 2017-2024 research strategy, and its improved approach to working in fragile contexts. Recommendations focus on the need for comparability of reporting, demonstration of impacts beyond the project level, including contribution of projects to the SDGs, and adoption of risk management approaches, especially in fragile contexts. SDG 16 Expert Group Meeting Elicits Experiences, Recommendations for Accelerated Implementation 29 May 2019: Participants discussed how to achieve peaceful, just and inclusive societies at an expert group meeting (EGM) on SDG 16. The EGM was the last in a series taking place in preparation for the 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which is carrying out an in-depth review of Goals 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 17. The EGM was preceded by a civil society pre-conference, which resulted in the ‘Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG 16+.’ |