Webinars

The TAP Network and Together2030 convened a debriefing webinar from the 2022 HLPF. Panelists from civil society HLPF participants discussed main takeaways from the forum, analysis, and their views looking forward towards 2023 moments such as HLPF 2023, the SDG Summit, and the Summit of the Future. The webinar also provided an opportunity for audience thoughts and reflections.

Ms. Arelys Bellorini, World Vision Senior Representative to the United Nations, and Mr. John Romano, TAP Network Coordinator, moderated the discussion.

WATCH HERE

World Vision, TAP Network, Sight Savers, Cepei, will be co-hosted a virtual event as part of the Together 2030 coalition titled: Developing and Presenting a Voluntary National Report: Whats Next? This event featured a diverse panel of speakers on best practices from civil society when tracking & following up with SDG implementation.

Watch Here

The Political Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly when marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations reflects world leaders’ understanding of the critical moment we are facing in UN history. It states, “Our world is not yet the world our founders envisaged 75 years ago. It is plagued by growing inequality, poverty, hunger, armed conflicts, terrorism, insecurity, climate change, and pandemics. People in different corners of the world are forced to make dangerous journeys in search of refuge and safety. The least developed countries are falling behind, and we still have not achieved complete decolonization. All this calls for greater action, not less.”

The Declaration also underlines the value of multilateralism, which could be seen as the primary required tool to face the current world's interconnected challenges. According to world leaders, the only way to confront current threats and succeed is to address them “through reinvigorated multilateralism.”

A question arises. What does “reinvigorated multilateralism” mean? What should a strong multilateralism look like? In which ways the reinforced multilateralism will support those that the actual order is still leaving behind. We need to answer those questions as a first step toward the committed reinvigorated multilateralism building.

The Declaration on the Commemoration of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the United Nations provides the impetus for rethinking multilateralism. The Secretary-General appealed to Build Back Better, and the call made by the Member States to ignite a Decade of Action and Delivery pointed in the same direction. Moreover, the 2030 Agenda still provides the political guidance we need to create a strengthened multilateralism. Furthermore, the 2021 High-level political forum bird’s eye view of the world situation regarding SDGs and the impact of the global pandemic needs to be part of this ecosystem of reframing a new narrative.

Twelve critical themes were highlighted by the Member States as part of their common Declaration: leave no one behind; protect our planet; promote peace and prevent conflicts; abide by international law and ensure justice; place women and girls at the center; build trust; improve digital cooperation; upgrade the United Nations; ensure sustainable financing; boost partnerships; listen to and work with youth, and improve preparedness for future challenges and crises.

Each issue in the list is directly linked to Sustainable Development. Almost all of them are part of the SDGs. That means that a reinvigorated multilateralism should be the expression of the sustainable development commitment in world governance, particularly the commitments in the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The HLPF mandate of providing policy guidance in the path toward Sustainable Development achievement made it necessary to discuss this issue in the framework of its work.

Objectives:

The side event will have the following objectives:

Contribute to the debates on how to reinvigorate multilateralism as a tool to reinforce the path towards Sustainable Development.

Make building a reinvigorated multilateralism a theme of stronger debate in the framework of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs implementation and follow up.

Share stakeholders’ perspectives on what, and what could be possible impacts of changes.

Partners

CEPEI, Sightsavers, World Vision

Speakers:

Arelys Bellorini, Senior United Nations Representative, World Vision

Julie Morizet, Senior Inter-Agency and Sustainable Development Officer

Marianne Beisheim, Senior Associate, Global Issues Division, SWP – German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Jeffery Huffines, Senior Advisor, Coalition the UN we Need

Muhammad Haneef, Brooke/Sightsavers Pakistan (video)

John Romano, Executive Director, TAP Network

Javier Surasky, Governance Coordinator, CEPEI

Moderator:

Andrew Griffiths, Head of Advocacy, Sightsavers

Documents:

Speakers bios

Marianne Beisheim Presentation

Recording:

Play Recording

Access Password: XstD@Ss5

The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the global structure responsible for assessing progress achievements and challenges faced by developed and developing countries. It is, in part, a forum for review – of a yearly, rotating set of Sustainable Development Goals, of overall global progress, and of national progress and challenges presented by countries in Voluntary National Reviews. In the 2030 Agenda, Member States have also emphasized that the HLPF should draw high-level political attention to gaps or areas where commitments are lagging behind and provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for follow up to accelerate progress.

Since 2016, Together 2030 and a team from the Politics Department at Newcastle University have collaborated to produce an annual survey on stakeholder participation in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the end of the first four year “cycle” of review at the High Level Political Forum, Together 2030 and Newcastle University prepared the paper Stakeholder engagement in VNRs 2015-2019 Four years of the Together 2030 and Newcastle University stakeholder perceptions survey. This document brings together and summarizes the main trends and findings of the surveys over the years, reflecting on how the survey – and the SDG context – has changed over this period, and where it might go next.

On 24 and 25 September 2019, Heads of State and Government gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to follow up and comprehensively review progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs Summit initiated the HLPF review process that will unfold during the 74th Session of the General Assembly. This context represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the current working methods and organization of the Forum in order to drive the processes to direct transformative actions. Together 2030 and partners, also prepared paper with shared principles to guide the upcoming HLPF review.

Objectives:

In light of the above, Together 2030 and the Politics Department at Newcastle University are convening a Webinar on the occasion of Together 2030 fourth anniversary with the purpose of :

Reflect on the first cycle of the HLPF sharing trends, successes and challenges and:

Exchange perspectives on the next four years, potential shortfalls and opportunities to make the HLPF a forum for acceleration action on SDGs implementation.

Speakers:

Graham Long, Newcastle University

Irena Zubcevic, UNDESA

Philipp Schonrock, CEPEI

Maria Ortiz Perez, ECLAC

Moderator:

Arelys Bellorini, World Vision

Documents:

Speakers Bios

Concept Note & Agenda

Presentations:

Graham Long

Maria Ortiz Perez

Irena Zubcevic

Recording:

Play Recording

On 6 March 2015, at its forty-sixth session, the United Nations Statistical Commission created the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), composed of Member States and including regional and international agencies as observers. The IAEG-SDGs was tasked to develop and implement the global indicator framework for the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda. The global indicator framework was developed by the IAEG-SDGs and agreed upon, including refinements on several indicators, at the 48th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission held in March 2017. The global indicator framework was subsequently adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017

The tenth meeting of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), will be held from 21 to 24 October 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The

meeting will be hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. This meeting will follow the same format as the previous IAEG-SDG meeting. There will be a Members meeting taking place during the first day (21 October) and a Plenary Session taking place during the following three days (22 – 24 October). During the plenary session, all countries, international and regional agencies and entities, and other stakeholders are invited to attend.

Together 2030 in partnership with TAP Network are convening a Webinar with the purpose of briefing

Civil Society organisations about the upcoming meeting of the IAEG-SDGs which will be a critical meeting

in preparation for the 2020 Comprehensive Review. We will hear about organisation of the meeting and

its agenda from the UN Statistical Division, UN agencies on key transformative indicators and views from

Civil Society.

Objectives:

● Taking stock of current status and work of the IAEG-SDGs.

● To provide an opportunity for civil society to strategize around opportunities, priorities and advocacy around the IAEG-SDGs in Addis Ababa.

Speakers:

Marianne Haselgrave, Commonwealth Medical Trust

Sarah Long, World Justice Project

Benjamin Rae, UN Stats Representative

Moderator:

John Romano, TAP Network

Documents:

Speakers Bios

Concept Note & Agenda

Presentations:

Sarah Long Presentation

Recording:

Play Recording

Background:

The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the global structure responsible for assessing progress achievements and challenges faced by developed and developing. In the 2030 Agenda, Member States have also emphasized that the HLPF should draw high-level political attention to gaps or areas where commitments are lagging behind and provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for follow up to accelerate progress.

The 2019 session of the HLPF was held in New York from July 9-18. The theme this year was “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality “. The set of goals reviewed in depth were the following:

• Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

• Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

• Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

• Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

• Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

• Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (to be considered each year)

For 2019, 47 countries presented national reviews on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda out of which seven were presenting for a second time.

Join Together 2030 and TAP Network in this webinar for a debrief on the 2019 HLPF and a discussion on the upcoming SDGs Summit in September under the auspices of the General Assembly.

Speakers:

Alessandra Nilo, Gestos

Mojisola Florence, Women for Peace & Gender Equity (was unable to join the webinar due to technical difficulties. Presentation is shared below)

John Romano, TAP Network

Gomer Padong, Philsen

Valnora Edwin, Sierra Leone indigenous Civil Society

Moderator:

Arelys Bellorini, UN Representative World Vision

Documents:

Speakers Bios

Concept Note & Agenda

Notes of the Webinar– courtesy of Katherine Kline

Presentations:

Mojisola Florence Presentation

Valnora Edwin Presentation

Final remarks from Alessandra Nilo

Recording:

Play Recording

Background:

The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the global structure responsible for assessing progress achievements and challenges faced by developed and developing. In the 2030 Agenda, Member States have also emphasized that the HLPF should draw high-level political attention to gaps or areas where commitments are lagging behind and provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for follow up to accelerate progress.

The next session of the HLPF will be held in New York from July 9-18. The theme this year will be “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality “. The set of goals to be reviewed in depth will be the following:

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (to be considered each year)

Presentation and discussion of Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) is a key component of the HLPF’s function. For 2019, 47 countries[1] have volunteered to present national reviews on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda out of which seven are presenting for a second time.

[1] Volunteer countries for 2019: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Cote d’ Ivoire, Croatia, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nauru, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Saint Lucia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UK, Vanuatu

Speakers:

Arelys Bellorini, UN Representative World Vision

Gomer Padong, Philsen

Rosina Pobee SightSavers

Annisa Triyanti, UN Major Groups of Children and Youth

John Romano, TAP Network

Javier Surasky, CEPEI

Margie Simo, Together 2030

Moderator:

Andrew Griffiths, Head of Advocacy Sightsavers

Documents:

Speakers Bios

Concept Note & Agenda

Notes of the Webinar– courtesy of Katherine Kline

Presentations:

Annisa Triyanti Presentation

Recording:

Play Recording

Background:

The SDGs are not solely a government agenda and cannot be delivered by governments alone. Parliament plays an influential role in ensuring the effective implementation of global commitments through their work on legislation, budgets and holding the executive to account.

For civil society, it can provide a valuable ally for supporting the realisation of the 2030 Agenda. Looking at this opportunity, Together 2030, UNDP, Global Focus, World Vision, Sightsavers and Newcastle University developed and launched the handbook Engaging parliaments on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs: representation, accountability and implementation – a handbook for civil society, a tool that includes concrete strategies for engaging with Parliamentarians and explores answers to critical question as to how and when can civil society best engage providing CSOs with guidance on how to strategically navigate the myriad of opportunities, approaches and challenges.

The handbook was launched in a joint event during the HLPF in July 2018. It gathered a number of experts and members of parliaments for an interactive discussion on how parliaments and civil society are working together -or not- in playing effective roles in realizing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. As a follow up to the launch, partners are hosting a webinar to facilitate further discussion and exchange of experiences with the wider civil society and the Together 2030 membership.

The Webinar intends to present the value of engaging with parliaments- its opportunities and challenges- as well as offer practical ways to engage by showcasing experiences at national in engaging with parliaments.

Speakers:

Jean Patrice Ngoyi, Executive Director, Justice, Development and Peace Commission of Nigeria and Together 2030 Core Group member

Charles Chauvel, Deputy Resident Representative a.i at the Multi-Country Office for Samoa, UNDP

Edward Lansana Massaquoi, Programme Manager, Caritas Sierra Leone, and Chair, Sierra Leone Coalition 2030

Bjarke Vestergaard, Policy Advisor, Global Focus

Moderator:

Gomer Padong, Together 2030 Core Group member and Lead of the Mobilisation and Engagement of Parliaments Working Group

Speakers Bios

Concept Note & Agenda

Presentations:

CSO SDG Presentation

THE CHALLENGE OF ENGAGING WITH PARLIAMENTARIANS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGs

Value in engaging Parliament ELM 041218

Parliamentary handbook slide – December 2018 webinar

Recording:

Play Recording

Background:

The implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has transformational potential to support the goals of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on economic, social and environmental dimensions.

Central in overseeing follow-up and review of 2030 Agenda, Voluntary National Reviews aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. As key partners in the implementation and follow up of 2030 Agenda, civil society should be actively engaged in the process of planning, preparation, presentation and follow-up of VNRs at national, regional and global levels. However, many are still struggling to participate – Together 2030 and Newcastle University’s 2018 perceptions survey report highlighted that civil society knowledge of whether, and how they can engage, remains low at less than 40%.

Together 2030, in partnership with CAFOD and Uniting Combat NTDs have developed a new resource: “Voluntary National Reviews: Engaging in national implementation and review of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals – a civil society quick guide”. The purpose of the guide is to support civil society in engaging in VNR processes at the national level. It is a short, action-oriented and practical tool that includes tips and tools to guide partners throughout the process.

This webinar intends to provide an introduction to the VNR quick guide and create a space to discuss the opportunities for engaging in the process. In addition, this webinar will offer a national perspective from civil society from countries that presented or will present their national voluntary reviews and will share their experience at engaging in the VNRs process at national level.

Concept note and Agenda

Speakers:

Naiara Costa, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, UNDESA

Graham Long, Associate Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Newcastle University

Diego Martinez-Schütt, Policy Analyst on SDGs, CAFOD

Judith Kaulem, Director of Poverty Reduction Forum Trust Zimbabwe (PRFT) and co-chair of the Zimbabwean CSO Reference Group on SDGs

Kit Dorey, Policy and Advocacy Adviser at BOND, on behalf of the BOND SDG Group

Moderator:

Marc Wormald, Policy Advisor, Uniting to Combat NTDs

Speakers bios

Presentations:

VNR Engagement in the UK – Kit Dorey

SDG stakeholder engagement – T30 Webinar, 21st November 2018

Reflections on Zimbabwe 2017 VNR process

Perceptions report summary

Recording:

Play recording

Progressing National SDG Implementation: An independent assessment of the Voluntary National Review reports submitted to the United Nations High-level Political Forum in 2017

March 15th, 2018, 9:00 – 10:45am (EST) 14.00-15.45pm GMT

Join us for the Global Launching of the the Report “Progressing National SDG Implementation: An independent assessment of the Voluntary National Review reports submitted to the United Nations High-level Political Forum in 2017″.

This report was commissioned by the following civil society organisations : the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC); International Forum of National NGO Platforms(IFP-FIP); Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD); Together 2030; Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD); and WWF-UK.

Background

Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are one of the key mechanisms to track the implementation progress of the commitments enshrined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Presented annually at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), they aim to promote accountability to citizens, support effective international cooperation, and foster the exchange of best practices and mutual learning.

This online launch will share the main findings of a study commissioned by civil society, analyzing the VNRs and a sample of civil society reports produced in 2017 for the HLPF. The assessment identifies best practices and provides recommendations for improving implementation and the VNR process and reports, as well as strengthening accountability around the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The launch will also include a roundtable discussion with panelists from different sectors sharing their perspectives on the independent assessment as well as on the VNR process.

Global Launch Materials:

Report:

ES – EN – http://sh.ccic.ca/ExSum

ES and Main Report EN – http://sh.ccic.ca/ESnRprt

Full Report EN – http://sh.ccic.ca/fullEN

Annexes – EN – http://sh.ccic.ca/Annxs

Summary – EN – VNR – http://sh.ccic.ca/Sum

Sommaire – FR – http://sh.ccic.ca/SomFR

Resumen – ES – http://sh.ccic.ca/ResES

Sumario – PT – http://sh.ccic.ca/SumPT

Webinar:

Webinar recording: https://vimeo.com/260802841/2c5835c262

Bios – http://sh.ccic.ca/Bios

PPT webinar ES – http://sh.ccic.ca/pptES

PPT webinar FR – http://sh.ccic.ca/pptFR

PPT webinar EN – http://sh.ccic.ca/ppt

PPT webinar PT – http://sh.ccic.ca/pptPT

Concept Note – http://sh.ccic.ca/note