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  4. Messages From The Regions (Dialogue)

Messages from the Regions (Dialogue)

(Mobilizing regional action and leveraging regional frameworks to support countries in overcoming crises and moving on to recovery and full implementation of the 2030 Agenda)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development stresses the importance of the regional and sub-regional dimensions in the follow-up and review of the Agenda. Since the creation of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, Regional Forums on Sustainable Development have been organized by the United Nations Regional Commissions to contribute to the forum’s preparations and provide a regional perspective at the HPLF discussions. Their importance was recognized in the Political Declaration of the SDG Summit in September 2019 and in the 2021 review of the HLPF.

The session will discuss the recommendations from the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development. In light of the upcoming SDG Summit, each Regional Forum on Sustainable Development has brought to light regional perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for accelerating progress towards the SDGs, identified transformative policies and actions, and highlighted renewed commitments from a wide range of stakeholders for the Goals. The session will include interventions by the Ministerial Chairs of the Regional Forums as well as an interactive discussion with Member States, regional organizations and other participants, including from civil society, youth, academia, the private sector, financial institutions, and development banks. The Executive Secretaries of the Regional Commissions will respond to questions from Member States and other stakeholders, if any, during the open dialogue.

At the halfway mark between the adoption and finish line of the 2030 Agenda, we must accelerate progress or reverse current trends to achieve its 2030 ambitions. The convergence of multiple global crises has dialled back much of the hard-earned progress and has sounded the alarm for acceleration and urgent actions. Yet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals remain the course of actions needed for recovery. There is still much to be done to turn our obligations into reality by 2030.

Against this background, the session will highlight ways in which Regional Commissions are contributing to addressing these crises through mobilizing regional action and leveraging regional frameworks. In line with the HLPF, the 2023 Regional Forums particularly zoomed in on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17.

The session will address the following questions:

  • How can regional cooperation and partnerships contribute to recovering better, building resilience against future shocks and delivering on the 2030 Agenda?
  • At the mid-point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which policy actions should be taken to accelerate progress without losing sight of those furthest behind in areas such as ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all, accelerating a just and inclusive energy transition, sustainable industrialization/urbanization?
  • What are high impact solutions and game changing initiatives across the regions that can accelerate SDG progress? How can we amplify these gamechanging solutions, including at the SDG Summit?

Chair:

  • H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva, President of ECOSOC

Opening remarks:

  • Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Coordinator of the Regional Commissions

Video:

  • Snapshots from stakeholders in the regions to set the scene

Interactive discussion

Moderator:

  • Ms. Nudhara Yusuf, Facilitator of the Global Governance Innovation Network, STIMSON CENTER, youth speaker

Speakers:

Chairs of the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development

  • H.E. Ms. Garama Saratou Rabiou Inoussa, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Desertification of Niger, Chair of the Ninth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
  • H.E. Mr. Waed Abdullah Badhib, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Yemen, Chair of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2023
  • H.E. Mr. Pagnathun Theng, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia in charge of Director General of Planning, Cambodia, Chair of the Tenth session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development
  • H.E. Mr. Milos Prica, Ambassador at Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council for the Implementation of the SDGs, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
  • H.E. Mr. Markus Reubi, Delegate of the Federal Council for the 2030 Agenda, Switzerland, Co-Chairs of the 2023 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region
  • H.E. Ms. Marisol Merquel, President of the National Council for the Coordination of Social Policies, Argentina, Chair of the Sixth session of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development

Lead Discussant:

  • Mr. Javier Surasky, Director of Research of Cepei, Argentina (MGoS)

Followed by interactive discussion with Member States and other stakeholders:

Member States, regional organizations and other stakeholders will be given the floor to express their views on the regional dimension of accelerating SDG progress and the follow-up to the outcomes of the Regional Forums. (3 minutes each)

Regional Commissions’ Executive Secretaries will be available to answer questions from Member States and other stakeholders during the open dialogue