Serbia and Agenda 2030 – Shadow Report to Voluntary National Report presented by EASD President in UN New York
Participation at High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) – From July 9th to 18th, at the premises of UN Headquarters in New York, High Level Political Forum (HLPF) was held, with participation of thousands representatives of national and local governments, major groups and other stakeholders. Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD) had opportunity to present the Shadow Report to the Serbian Voluntary National Review, prepared by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, as specific overview regarding implementation of Agenda 2030 in Serbia.
This Shadow Report has been prepared under the project Women2030 (Women and the SDGs), leaded by international organization Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF). During preparation this Shadow Report, EASD organized consultations with some of the representatives of the network Women in Sustainable Energy South-East Europe (WISE SEE), national/local decision makers and representatives of civil societies. The main findings presented in his Report president of EASD, together with other representatives of Major groups, prepared in form of statement towards Serbian delegation at HLPF in New York.
In 2012, the United Nations established High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), as the main platform on sustainable development with the central role to follow-up and to review the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. The Forum replaced the Commission on Sustainable Development, which had met annually since 1993. The first meeting was held on 24 September 2013.
The HLPF is established based on document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), “The Future We Want”. General Assembly resolution 67/290 provides format and organizational aspects of the Forum, while the HLPF General Assembly resolution 70/299 provides further guidance on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
The Forum meets annually, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), includes ministerial segment. Every four years Forum meets at the level of Heads of State and Government under the auspices of the General Assembly.
The Forum adopts intergovernmentally negotiated political declarations, using the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development mechanisms for follow-up and review of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven. These national reviews are expected to be voluntary and to serve as a basis for the regular reviews by the HLPF. The forum provides a platform for partnerships among governments, Major Groups and other relevant Stakeholders (MGoS), both from developed and developing countries.
As a general conclusion of major groups and other stakeholder after the HLPF, it was announced that process of preparation of Voluntary National Reviews is not enough participative and different stakeholders apart that were not included in national processes, even did not have opportunity to read VNRs before HLPF.
Draft Shadow Report to VNR Serbia
Aleksandra Mladenovic’s Intervention at HLPF 2019: http://webtv.un.org
We participate: Consultations of the Committee with NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC regarding the evolving relationship between the NGOs and the United Nations
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, as organisation in Consultative Status with ECOSOC, participated (May 2018) in Consultations of the Committee with NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC .
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), is holding consultations with organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC to discuss questions of interest to the Committee or to the organizations relating to the relationship between the NGOs and the United Nations in line with paragraph 61 (a) of ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. The ground-breaking consultations will take the form of written submissions and an interactive hearing which will be held in New York on 22 June 2018 . As part of the consultation process all NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC are invited to submit their contributions and views on four key questions ahead of the hearing.
EASD also registered for the meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) in 2018 convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, will be held from Monday, 9 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2017; including the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum (participation is pending related to possible support) . The theme will be “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. The set of goals to be reviewed in depth will be the following, including Goal 17.
2018!…..With activity highlights from 2017!
Activity important milestones in 2017
EASD activities are focused to 3 thematic groups:
- Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs;
- Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice;
- Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors
Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
“Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
EASD participate at 2017 Vienna UN Conference – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
“EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate at 2017 Blue Flag National Operator Meeting
Eko-paket – Eco-Schools annual conference for the school year 2017/2018
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
EASD become the Member of the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform!
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”
EnE17 Conference and Panel in Media
Mercury Initial Assessment in the Republic of Serbia Workshop – we participate
As ECOSOC Accredited NGOs we submit statement for the event “16th Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA)”
EASD is organisation accredited in ECOSOC.
Having that mandate, we submit statement for the event “16th Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) – ECOSOC Accredited NGOs” .
The Committee of Experts on Public Administration held its sixteenth session at the United Nations in New York from 24 to 28 April 2017. Its theme was “Ensuring effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: leadership, action and means”. A key message of the session was that government and public institutions have the leading role to implement the SDGs and pursue policies to leave no one behind.
The United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration, established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in its resolution 2001/45, is comprised of 24 members who meet annually at UN Headquarters in New York. The Committee is responsible for supporting the work of ECOSOC concerning the promotion and development of public administration and governance among Member States, in connection with the UN Millennium Development Goals. Before the Committee of Experts on Public Administration was renamed it was called the Group of Experts in Public Administration and Finance.
EASD and ECOSOC signals: Achieving sustainable development through infrastructure
Infrastructure is a pre-requisite for advances across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including for reducing poverty, promoting economic growth, addressing inequality and ensuring environmental sustainability. Infrastructure is addressed directly through SDG 9, which commits the international community to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Moreover, “investments in sustainable infrastructure are recognized as a major cross-cutting driver that can contribute to achieving all the SDGs”, as stated by Under-Secretary-General for UN DESA, Wu Hongbo, at the 2015 Global Forum on Development. Resilient infrastructure is essential for ensuring sustainable development for all. “If we are to achieve our goals, and leave no one behind, we must address large infrastructure gaps in developing countries,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum in April 2016.
“Developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable, need international support to bridge existing infrastructure gaps,” emphasized Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the Global Infrastructure Forum. Infrastructure gaps pose major challenges to the implementation of the SDGs. The financing gap for infrastructure in developing countries, for example, is estimated to be 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars annually. Through the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the international community has committed to support resilient, sustainable infrastructure and to provide a comprehensive framework for mobilising the means to finance it.
Infrastructure that enables countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change is needed to support the Paris Climate Change Agreement. New and resilient infrastructure is also needed to support sustainable urbanization, as the number of people living in cities in emerging economies is expected to double by 2030. Resilient infrastructure is needed, moreover, to cope with the increasing incidence and magnitude of natural disasters.
In recent years there have been several new global, regional and national initiatives aimed at increasing investment in infrastructure. In Africa, for example, infrastructure is a priority element for realizing the vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063. At the global level, the international community committed to support the realisation of resilient, sustainable infrastructure through the AAAA, and created a new Global Infrastructure Forum—which held its inaugural meeting in April—to facilitate access to financing and technical expertise.
The global discussion on infrastructure will continue on 21 July 2016 at UN Headquarters as part of ECOSOC’s 2016 thematic discussion on “Infrastructure for sustainable development for all”. The thematic discussion, part of ECOSOC’s High-level Segment, will engage a broad range of voices in a global dialogue on infrastructure for sustainable development that is inclusive and leaves no one behind. It will offer policy recommendations and inform the Inter-agency Task Force report on Financing for Development, as well as the 2017 Global Infrastructure Forum. For more information: UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
EASD already is addressing the issue of environmental infrastructure as the condition for sustainable development ( 1 , 2 , 3….), as well as by research and promotion ( A, B, C , …)
Towards UNEA-2: background paper for multistakeholder dialogue
The background paper for the multi stakeholder dialogue that will take place during UNEA-2 on Friday 27 May, is prepared and available.
Other information and all relevant UNEA-2 documents are also available . EASD representatives are registered for participation at UNEA-2 (still subject of financial support).
The Second Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly will take place on 23-27 May 2016, at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya under the overarching theme “Delivering on the Environmental Dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The assembly will be preceded by the Science and Policy Forum taking place on 19-20 May 2016. The two day event will bring together science and policy stakeholders with the aim of addressing challenges and opportunities as well as recommending concrete measures for collective action in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 16th Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum (GMGSF16) will take place on 21-22 May 2016. This meeting facilitates the preparations of Major Groups & Stakeholders for UNEA-2 and is open to representatives of accredited and non- accredited organisations. In parallel to UNEA-2 proceedings, a three day Sustainable Innovation Expo (SIE2016) will be held from 23 to 25 May 2016. More information is available at . Furthermore, Greenroom side events which are primarily for and by Major Groups & Stakeholders, and official side events will take place from 23 to 27 May 2016. They will provide an opportunity for dialogue and exchange on a variety of themes.
EASD participate at 2016 Vienna UN Conference (Vienna, January 13-15, 2016): sustainable development is the basis for a peaceful world.
Very important institutions are based in Vienna which work for the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy (IAEA), the peaceful use of outer space (UNOOSA) and the prevention of terrorism, organised crime, and drug trafficking (UNODC). UNIDO is dedicated to the creation of shared prosperity and inclusive and sustainable development – the basis for a peaceful world. CTBTO Executive Secretary, Lassina Zerbo, has reminded us that the 70th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki recalls the real dangers of nuclear weapons and the need for a total ban on nuclear testing. The recent Vienna Iran agreement and the important role given to the IAEA emphasise the important activities carried out by the Vienna based organisations, including the OSCE. Representatives from these institutions, diplomats, and academics will discuss, in inter- active sessions, the challenges and how the UN system and the international community can deliver to overcome emerging challenges and ensure a peaceful and more sustainable world.
2016 Vienna UN Conference (Vienna, January 13-15, 2016) is focused on New Approaches for a Peaceful and More Sustainable World (Poster).
EASD, as organisation in consultative status in ECOSOC AOR, as well as ACUNS institutional member, participate at this conference. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov, EASD Hon.President participated in the Opening session (chairing by Alistair Edgar, Executive Director, Academic Council on the United Nations System, with speakers: Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary, CTBTO, Yury Fedotov, Director General/Executive Director, UNOV/UNODC, Yukiya Amano, Director General, IAEA, LI Yong, Director General, UNIDO, Angela Kane, Former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Keynote speech by Lamberto Zannier, Secretary General, OSCE), as well as in Session Women, Peace and Security (Chair: H.E. Ayoob Erfani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Austria, Keynote: H.E. Dubravka Simonovic, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Speakers:Nasra Hassan, Association of Austrian Peacekeepers, Former Director, UNIS, Pericles Gasparini, Chief, Office for Disarmament Affairs, UNODA Vienna Office, Fatou Haidara, Director of the Policy-making Organs Secretariat, Advocacy and Communications, UNIDO, Anna Alvazzi, Research Director, Small Arms Survey Senam Mohamad, European Representative, Rojava Self-Governing Democratic Administration, Alistair Edgar, Director, ACUNS). She noted the importance for SEE countries to recognise multilateralism as the c0-share track to EU accession and sustainable development/resource efficiency/environmental sustainability as the tool and SDGs means of implementation. She promotes Gender Impact Assessment as the indicator for each process.
EASD at the United Nations in Vienna
As the organisation with ECOSOC consultative status, EASD in October 2015 had some meetings of the broad spectrum of the work of the UN in Vienna.
EASD representatives participated in the Interactive Human Rights Tour and briefing on human rights for children. We support “Your actions count – be responsible traveller”
Recognition and encouragement for further work: special consultative status in UN ECOSOC for our organisation
By the decision of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
at its Coordination and management meeting of July 2015 granted special consultative status to our organization, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development.
Consultative status for an organization enables it to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in a number of ways, as well as the obligations for our organization will be required to meet under this relationship.
For EASD Team it is big recognition, as well as encouragement for further work!!!!
Post Rio+20 busy July 2015
29 June 2015, UN Headquarters, New York, HLPF Stakeholder Consultation: This event present the results of an international stakeholder consultation on the mandate and means of stakeholder engagement in the HLPF.The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is proposed as the institutional “home” for follow-up and review of the post-2015 development agenda; and therefore presents a critical entry-point to ensure delivery of the post-2015 agenda and sustainable development more broadly.
26 June – 8 July 2015, UN Headquarters, New York, High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (The 2015 meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)): The theme of the meeting is “Strengthening integration, implementation and review – the HLPF after 2015.” The first part of the meeting consist of moderated dialogues on a variety of issues, including how to move from vision to transformative action, the role of the private sector in implementation, how the HLPF can support national action, involvement of scientific communities in implementation, regional support for national implementation, small island developing states (SIDS) and investment in sustainable development. The second part of the meeting comprise a ministerial segment, which is expected to include dialogues on developing a transformative integrated agenda, emerging issues for the future, communicating and implementing a universal agenda, shaping the HLPF for the next 15 years, reviewing and monitoring progress, realizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and transitioning from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs.
EASD is pleased to share with you document: Towards an Integrated and Inclusive Follow-up and Review of Natural Resources. Two recommendations aim to ensure that the effective follow-up and review of natural resources in the post-2015 development agenda is aligned with the principles of integration, participation and inclusion: 1) Thematic reviews of natural resources as a crosscutting issue, from tenure to their use, should be carried out under the HLPF; 2) National multi-stakeholder and rights-holder initiatives for follow-up and review, within the context of a renewed global partnership for development, should be established or strengthened.
20-22 July 2015, Economic and Social Council Meeting: Will consider and take action on the Committee’s recommendation at its Coordination and Management Meeting. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations at its 2015 Resumed Session, held from 26 May to 3 June 2015, decided to recommend Special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to our organization EASD – Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development.
We participate!
- -The highly anticipated Zero draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda is available for Stakeholder feedback . EASD teams carefully read document. The programme for the sixth session of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, to be held from 22-25 June, has been posted online .
- – In preparing the MTS 2018-21 and Programme of Work (PoW) for 2018-19, UNEP wishes to consult with Major Groups and Stakeholders to solicit views and ideas on what is expected from UNEP in the future, where UNEP should direct its efforts to serve best interests of all stakeholders and the environment, and which challenges UNEP should be well prepared to meet. EASD is preparing respond.
- – EASD acknowledge Initiatives by Non-State Actors to Curb Emissions Can Help Win the Fight against Climate Change – New UN Report The full report may be downloaded here.
- – The 2015 Resumed Session of the Committee on NGOs took place from 26 May to 3 June (and will adopt its report on 12 June), reviewing a total of 388 applications (including 176 applications that had been deferred from previous sessions), 7 reclassifications and 215 quadrennial reports. A total of 160 applications were recommended for consultative status with ECOSOC. The Committee closed, without prejudice, the consideration of 27 applications. Pending receipt of answers to questions posed by the members, the Committee deferred a total of 200 applications to its next session. EASD is looking forward to the decision related our application – expected to be taken up by ECOSOC at its next Coordination and Management Meeting, between 20-22 July 2015.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development accredited to attend the High-level event on the Millennium Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda, 25 September 2013 at United Nations Headquarters, NY
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, accreditation to attend the High-level event on the Millennium Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda, to be held on 25 September 2013 at United Nations Headquarters, NY, approved by the Office of the President of the General Assembly/ Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations.
The programme of the event, as well as an official information note, can be found on the official web page of the event: http://www.un.org/
Rio+20
Agenda 2030 and SDGs in the focus of EASD work
Consultation with UN/UNDP in Serbia
First European-wide Sustainable Development Week
SDGs – SDSN members activities
World Environment Day – Raise the voice!
”Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” , as UN accredited organization participate at 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, as well as on side events.
Organisation participated in preparation of study Study on Achievements and Perspectives towards a Green Economy and Sustainable Growth in Serbia.
The Study has been prepared to support the Government of Serbia in its preparations for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable development, which is being held in Brazil in June 2012.