Shifting gears towards the Global Goals - meet us in New York

Why is the foreign policy perspective key to the SDGs? How can we meet the challenge of chemical pollution beyond 2020? What's the role of eco-inclusive enterprises for the SDGs? Meet adelphi research at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at various events and with new publications.

At this year’s United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York themed "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies" several sustainable development goals (SDGs) will be reviewed in depth:

• Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
• Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

In the run-up to HLPF 2018, adelphi research has been actively involved in the preparations of various stakeholders. The project teams are contributing different new publications to the discussions that will be presented in New York and discussed by high-level policymakers. Moreover, adelphi research is going to (co-)convene two special events in the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations (UN).

GroW position paper: “Strengthening the evidence base for the SDG process” | SDG 6

Agreeing on the SDGs was a tremendous accomplishment for the international community, and continuing on this path is essential for our joint future. Achieving the targets will require ongoing efforts, new approaches and the examination of challenges. Partners of the research program Water as a global Resource (GRoW) formulated therefore in view of the forthcoming High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and this year’s SDG 6 in-depth review the position paper “Strengthening the evidence base for the SDG process” to highlight important challenges for achieving the ambitious goal of SDG 6 from a science perspective.

As a research programme GRoW in particular aims to contribute to achieving SDG 6. GRoW brings together more than 90 institutions active in research, business and practice working together in more than 20 countries worldwide to develop new approaches for improving sustainable water resources management and water governance systems.

SEED's Side Event: Honouring the role of eco-inclusive enterprises for the SDGs | SDG7

When: Monday, July 16, 2018, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Where: UN Conference Building, Conference Room A, New York

This side event, co-organized by South Africa and Germany, in partnership with UN Environment, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), will highlight the important contributions of innovative eco-inclusive Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to sustainable and resilient societies, and especially to ensuring affordable and sustainable energy (SDG 7). It will draw attention to their visible impacts in local communities created through valuable partnerships in response to urgent sustainability challenges. In an innovative format SEED will develop ideas how to better mainstream the promising business models of eco-inclusive SMEs into the global platform of programmes.

SEED was co-founded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UNDP and the IUCN at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002. In 2013, adelphi research, which had served as implementing partner since 2006, became the hosting partner of SEED and the global coordinator of all activities within the SEED programme. 

Side Event: Meeting the challenge of chemical pollution beyond 2020 | SDG12

When: Tuesday, July 17, 2018, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Where: Auditorium of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, 871 UN Plaza, New York

This side event provides a platform for participants to discuss and exchange views and perspectives on chemicals and waste in the context of SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production patterns, thus ensuring healthy lives and a healthy planet well into the future. High level representatives from governments, the UN system and other stakeholders will discuss challenges and opportunities for sound chemicals and waste management in the context of key global trends. The event will also identify how the UN system could increase its contribution benefiting from chemical management to achieve SDG 12.

More information

Side Event: Global Resilience Agenda: A Foreign Policy Perspective on the SDGs | SDG 13/16

When: Tuesday, 17 July 2018, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Where: Restaurant of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, 871 UN Plaza, New York, USA
Convenor: adelphi research and German Federal Foreign Office

This side event seeks to deepen the understanding of the SDGs and geopolitics and the particularities of each region. A range of high-ranking officials from the UN and national governments will join the debate as well as experts from academia and civil society. The panel will discuss how the SDGs under review are connected to peace and, in terms of the HLPF 2019, how they can contribute to achieving SDG16 and strengthening climate resilience (SDG13). This will be done on with a focus on illustrative regional and country examples, i.e. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the MENA region. The aim is to provide context-specific, in-depth insights and equip various stakeholders involved in SDG-processes with conceptual knowledge and examples. Short remarks from foreign policymakers, national governments, international organizations and civil society/academia will be followed by a lively discussion.

Furthermore, adelphi research will provide a foreign policy perspective on the SDGs under review in 2018 through a think piece that argues that implementing the 2030 Agenda will affect global order and is linked to external action priorities, such as conflict prevention, stabilisation, migration, or peacebuilding.

More information

Exhibition on Environment, Conflict and Cooperation | SDG 6/7/12/16

When: 9 July to 19 July 2018
Where: Lobby of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, 871 UN Plaza, New York

The ECC Exhibition shows how the unprecedented environmental pressures and climate extremes that the world faces today affect peace and security. It looks in detail at challenges around water (SDG6), energy (SDG7) and extractive resources (SDG12), connecting the dots between these SDGs under review and questions of peace. The exhibition also presents the unique contribution of the 2030 Agenda to a global governance architecture that can help create resilient societies. The ECC Exhibition, developed by adelphi research, forms part of the Climate Diplomacy Initiative, a collaborative effort of the German Federal Foreign Office in partnership with adelphi research. Please visit the exhibition online at www.exhibition.ecc-platform.org.