POLICY BRIEFS
Content Editors, SDG Knowledge Hub
As the increased number of out-of-office messages we receive at this time of year reminds us, many take advantage of the fewer number of events in August to relax and recharge. Nonetheless, those events that are taking place this month will convene around key topics for the SDGs, and with them will bring a focus on options for moving the 2030 Agenda forward.
FEATURED
APA Co-Chairs Prepare “Tools” to Facilitate Bangkok Climate Discussions
6 August 2018: The Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) have prepared, and the UNFCCC Secretariat has published, a set of seven “tools” to facilitate deliberations during the sixth part of the first session of the APA (APA 1-6), which will convene during the Bangkok Climate Change Conference. The tools, which are presented in a series of Co-Chairs’ informal notes, were prepared at the APA’s request and with support from facilitators of the various agenda items.
Agencies Find Poor Quality Healthcare Stymies Universal Health Coverage
5 July 2018: The World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have published a joint review of healthcare quality around the world that finds that inaccurate diagnoses, inappropriate treatment and hospital infections are problems in all countries.
NEWS
UNGA Adopts Resolution on Migration Conference, Decisions on UHC Meeting, SAMOA Pathway Review
6 August 2018: The 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution on the upcoming migration conference and a decision with plans for high-level meetings in 2019, including meetings related to the UNGA’s 2019 General Debate, universal health coverage (UHC) and small island developing States (SIDS).
WHO, UNICEF Deploy Aid to Ebola Outbreak in DRC
3 August 2018: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced its emergency response to a fresh outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu region, bordering Uganda and Rwanda. The outbreak occurs just one week after WHO declared the outbreak in the country’s western Equateur region over.
EU Carbon Accounting System to Measure Forest Impacts on GHG Emissions
2 August 2018: The European Union (EU) has adopted a carbon-based accounting system for measuring how forest management practices can help mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The EU will use the approach as the scientific basis for integrating the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector in its climate strategy.
Guide Facilitates Businesses’ Integration of SDGs into Corporate Reporting
1 August 2018: The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and UN Global Compact launched a publication that offers guidance to companies seeking to integrate the SDGs within their corporate sustainability reporting. The paper describes a process through which companies can prioritize SDG actions and impacts without “cherry-picking” Goals that they already positively contribute to, and highlights principles for effective, comprehensive reporting.
FAO Report Calls for Urgent Assistance to Underfunded Crises
1 August 2018: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released a report that warns that droughts, floods, conflicts and other shocks could push millions of people into food insecurity and acute hunger, threatening their lives, well-being and future. Without urgent support to the world’s most underfunded crises, the report cautions, situations in these areas are likely to deteriorate in the second half of 2018.
UNDP Joins Consortium to Develop Safe AI for SDGs
1 August 2018: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has joined a consortium of companies, academics, and NGOs working to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developed in a safe, ethical and transparent manner. Through the partnership, UNDP’s Innovation Facility will support the testing and scale-up of AI for the SDGs.
UN Secretary-General Appoints Special Adviser on Reforms
31 July 2018: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed a Special Adviser on Reforms. The Special Adviser will lead a coordination structure meant to ensure a unified and cohesive approach to the change management programme across the three UN reform streams of development, peace and security, and management. The structure will have dedicated teams to service each stream.
UN Global Compact Report Highlights Local Networks’, Businesses’ Contributions to SDGs
18 July 2018: Launched in the margins of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), a UN Global Compact publication shows how Local Networks can engage businesses and investors to help close SDG achievement gaps. The document titled, ‘Global Compact Local Networks: Accelerating National SDG Implementation,’ describes outputs from 69 Local Networks highlighting the opportunities for both business and for impact.
Switzerland’s VNR Reports Progress, Identifies Future Challenges
17 July 2018: Switzerland submitted its first country report on SDG implementation to the 2018 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Switzerland is one of the 46 countries that presented a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2018 HLPF.
Australia Delivers VNR, Holds Senate Inquiry on SDG Implementation
11 July 2018: Australia launched its first report on implementing the SDGs, initially to a domestic audience and then to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, US. Commentators note that the SDG Index, a global ranking, shows Australia is performing well on health, education and well-being, but is doing poorly on environmental goals, and ranks lowest in the world on climate action. Australia is currently holding a Senate inquiry into actions for promoting SDG implementation domestically and through its aid programme.
Caucasus and Central Asia Ministers Commit to Forest Restoration
22 June 2018: The First Ministerial Roundtable on Forest Landscape Restoration and the Bonn Challenge in the Caucasus and Central Asia adopted the Astana Resolution, which commits the region to restore more than 2.5 million hectares of forest landscape. The commitment is in line with the Bonn Challenge, a global effort to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.