Scenarios and possible medium and long-term trends related to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the achievement of SDGs

As decided by the General Assembly, the High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council will focus on “future trends and scenarios related to the Council theme, the long-term impact of current trends, such as contribution of new technologies, in the economic, social and environmental areas on the realization of the SDGs”.

Scenarios describe plausible, internally consistent pathways to the future based on the best available scientific evidence, with a coherent and quantitative timeline of actions.

Accordingly, this session will examine scenarios, policies, and cooperative near-term actions for a sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the achievement of the SDGs.

Background for this session is provided by Secretary-General’s reports on this year’s theme (E/2021/62) and on long-term future trends and scenarios (E/2021/61).

An interactive panel discussion will bring together experts, eminent personalities, and keynote speakers from Governments, the UN system, think tanks, regional organizations and stakeholder groups.

Proposed guiding questions:

The session will be guided by the following questions. In particular, it will also consider the recommendations put forward by the two Secretary General's reports.

Which feasible scenario pathways towards the SDGs are preferable, and how could they be achieved? What kind of broader lessons can be learnt from such scenarios? How can they be made readily available to decision-makers?
To which extent do strategies, actions, programs, and partnerships support such pathways in your country? What more is needed?
Which near-term actions should be considered in developed and developing countries – in response to the pandemic and with a view to ensure a sustainability transition in education, food, energy, water, and transport?
What is the experience with recent COVID-19 recovery plans and related financial stimulus packages? How could they better support sustainable and resilient solutions, reduce inequalities, and bridge the technology divides in the long-term? What kind of national legal, policy and institutional measures are needed to improve social protection and healthcare systems? How can women be empowered to contribute to recovery strategies?

Chair:

H.E. Mr. Munir Akram, President of Economic and Social Council

Keynote address:

Mr. Bertrand Piccard, Founder and Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation

Interactive panel discussion

Moderator:

H.E. Ms. Daniella Tilbury, Gibraltar's Commissioner for Sustainable Development and Future Generations

Panellists/Resource persons:

Mr. Keywan Riahi, Director, Energy Programme, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria, and UN 10-Member-Group of High-level Representatives to support the Technology Facilitation Mechanism
Ms. Paula Caballero, Managing Director, Lands for Life Program, Rare, USA
Mr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh, and UN Committee for Development Policy

Lead discussant:

Mr. Felix Dodds, Adjunct Professor, Water Institute in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina

Respondents:

H.E. Mr. Omar Razzaz, former Prime Minister of Jordan
H.E. Ms. Arlette Soudan-Nonault, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin, Republic of Congo, and Chair of the Seventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
H.E. Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka
H.E. Mr. Dag-Inge Ulstein, Minister for International Development, Norway
H.E. Ms. Rita Schwarzeluehr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany