GCSPF E-Newsletter #12 - July 2018 - HLPF

The high-level political forum on sustainable development will meet from Monday, 9 to Wednesday, 18 July 2018. The ministerial meeting of the forum will be from Monday, 16 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2018.
The theme is: "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies". The HLPF will also review progress towards the SDGS and focus in particular on Goal 6, 7, 11, 12, 15 and 17.
During the ministerial meetings 47 countries will carry out Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
Members of the GCSPF will organize and/or participate in several side events, see below the information.

Rapid urbanisation and rapid population ageing are two global trends that are reshaping our world. However, the two are rarely considered together, despite a rapid increase in the number of older urban citizens. The pledge to leave no one behind requires all actors to take a rights-based, life course, approach to urban planning that solicits the active participation of all, including older persons. This event will bring together a range of experts to examine practical steps for implementing goal 11’s promise to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Wednesday 11th July - 1.15 - 2.30 PM
Venue: Conference Room A Read more

Exploring new policy pathways: How to overcome obstacles and contradictions in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
The world is off-track in terms of achieving sustainable development. Fundamental policy changes are necessary to unleash the transformative potential of the SDGs. In particular, there is a need for more coherent fiscal and regulatory policies and a whole-of-government approach towards sustainability.
The Spotlight Report 2018 describes policies, resources and actions that are necessary to implement the 2030 Agenda. It highlights strategies and approaches which depart from business-as-usual and prioritize fulfilment of human rights and respect for planetary boundaries. At the roundtable event authors of the Spotlight Report 2018 will present key findings and recommendations to participants for discussion. Church Center, 10TH Floor, 777 UN Plaza, New York
12 July 2018, 6:15-7:45PM
Jointly organized by Arab NGO Network for Development, Center for Economic and Social Rights, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, Public Services International, Global Policy Forum, Society for International Development, Social Watch, Third World Network with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Read more

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is a human right. It is a precondition for combating poverty, securing good health and well-being, enhancing dignity, and reducing exposure to violence for all women and girls. Slow progress ensuring the right to water and sanitation for all is a significant obstacle to the achievement of all SDGs. Rapid urbanization has brought particular challenges including housing, transport and inadequate basic services for water and sanitation. Difficult terrain, unsafe access to toilets and the risk of sexual assault are special hazards for children, adolescent girls and older women.
This event will bring together the experiences of marginalized women, including girls and older women, and women with disabilities, in accessing safe and secure water, sanitation and hygiene in slum communities. It will discuss innovations and best practices to promote women and girls’ greater safety and security. Commentary for progress will be given by UN Women and WaterAid.
Organizing Partners: Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)| Gray Panthers
Co-Organizers: Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD) | Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities | Stakeholder Group on Ageing | International Disability Alliance | International Forum of National NGO Platforms | Asia Dalit Rights Forum | Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development | African Platform for Social Protection | FEMNET The African Women’s Development and Communication Networks | WaterAid
Friday, 13 July 2018, 12:30 to 14:30
Venue: AARP office 750 Third Avenue (between E 46th St and E 47th St), 31st Floor Read more

VNRs and shadow (or spotlight) reporting:
How it is key for meaningful participation and accountability
The national voluntary reporting to the High Level Political Forum of ECOSOC is a practice that has gained traction, as dozens of governments are volunteering each year to participate and contribute their VNRs. A number of CSOs have prepared their own shadow or spotlight reports to follow-up on their governments efforts to implement the 2030-Agenda. Is there a meaningful dialogue between the official and the alternative reports? What is the value of the whole exercise? These issues will be debated on July 13, 2018 | 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM at WeWork Grand Central, 4th Floor, Room 4A, 450 Lexington Ave, New York 10017 Read more

The private sector plays a significant role in achieving the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Several corporations have already pledged their support for the SDGs or evaluated the relevance of SDGs in their business activities. The UN Global Compact has started a global campaign to celebrate business leaders who are taking action to advance the 2030 Agenda.
In many countries, engaging the private sector in SDG implementation is part of official policy. Governments and the UN are seeking increased commitment from the private sector in order to finance SDG implementation and bring growth to their economies. Many governments expect the involvement of companies in SDG implementation to lead to greater social and environmental awareness in business strategies.
Date: Friday, 13 July 2018, 7:15 pm – 8:45 pm
Place: Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 Read more

The implementation of SDG 6.4 Water use and scarcity and its link to the Human Right to Food
Monday, July 16th, 2018, 06:30 p.m. – 08:30 p.m.
Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, Auditorium, 871 United Nations Plaza (First Avenue between 48th and 49th Streets), New York
The side event is organized by Bread for the World together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Read more