FEATURED
HLPF 2017 Concludes VNR Presentations, Adopts Ministerial Declaration
19 July 2017: The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) concluded its 2017 meeting with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration on the theme, ‘Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world.’
Youth Discuss Role in VNRs, HLPF
19 July 2017: UN Youth Delegates, representatives of youth civil society organizations (CSOs), and representatives of the UN system gathered for a side-event on the final day of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) to discuss youth’s role in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), which assess countries’ national efforts for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants addressed mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making and ways in which youth-led accountability can ensure the eradication of poverty and promote prosperity.
Scientists Provide Update on GSDR 2019
19 July 2017: On the sidelines of the 2017 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), scientists appointed by the UN Secretary-General to work on the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) provided an update on progress to date and on plans envisioned for the 2019 edition of that quadrennial report.
NEWS
Projects Explore Renewable, Alternative Energy Sources
18 July 2017: The past weeks’ project news reveals technology and innovation initiatives seeking to use renewable and alternative energy sources. Spanning the gamut of hydroelectric to solar to methane to biomass, the projects contribute to the implementation of countries’ energy goals as reflected in their Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
17 July 2017: The Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB) issued a call for submissions from bodies established under the UNFCCC, parties and interested stakeholders on a range of capacity building-related issues in the context of implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) published updates on some of its ongoing and completed technical assistance contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
14 July 2017: Representatives of government, academia, civil society and local communities from eight Andean countries shared their experiences and visions for the integrated management of mountain ecosystems as part of Mountains’ Week, which took place from 10-14 July in Bogotá, Colombia. The event took place under the framework of the Mountain Partnership, which also serves as the “custodian agency” of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 (life on land) indicator 4.2, also known as the Mountain Green Cover Index.
UNOOSA Briefs Member States on Space-Based Technologies for SDGs
14 July 2017: Simonetta di Pippo, Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), briefed Member States and stakeholders on the potential of space-based technologies to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The briefing took place during a side event for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
Transparency and Compliance Update: UNFCCC Releases 15 Reports Assessing Party Submissions 14
July 2017: The transparency framework under the UNFCCC is intended to increase the international understanding of mitigation, adaptation and other actions towards fulfilling commitments outlined in the Convention and related decisions or agreements. In the last month, the UNFCCC Secretariat released reports examining eight individual reviews of the annual submissions by developed country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol submitted in 2015 and 2016, three reports on the review of the reports to facilitate the calculation of the assigned amount for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (CP2), as well as a report on the technical assessment of the proposed forest reference emission (FREL) level of the Congo submitted in 2016.
Member States, Stakeholders Provide Feedback on 2017 Report on FfD Follow-up
13 July 2017: Member States and stakeholders discussed the 2017 Report of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF), which tracks progress on the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) on financing for development (FfD), during a briefing on the margins of the 2017 session of the High-level Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). During the briefing, participants provided feedback and recommendations for future editions of the report.
Technological Innovation Required for Low-Carbon Energy Transition
July 2017: Technological advances and research and development (R&D) investments are required to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector, according to an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) working paper that assesses the status of and future needs for low-carbon technologies. The paper also identifies the elements of a framework that nurtures technological innovation in order to decarbonize the energy sector between now and 2050.