31_January 2014: The first meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set out a calendar for its work, and discussed means to tighten the linkage between the science and policy, as well as to define priority scientific issues for sustainable development.  continued…

January_2014: The UN has released statistical notes advising on data and monitoring challenges in relation to topics under discussion at the eighth session of the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Open Working Group (OWG) on sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include: promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment; and conflict prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding and the promotion of durable peace, rule of law and governance. continued…

January_2014: A policy brief published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) points to the emerging consensus that sustainable development requires a radical transformation of the world’s energy system, including the way energy is produced and used, and that such a transformation requires strong leadership, carefully-designed policies, behavior changes, and large investments, both in developed and developing countries. continued…

17_December 2013: The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) has published a document outlining ‘Proposed Elements for Consideration in the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,’ which draws from stakeholder consultations that have taken place since 2012.continued…