Our focus at HLPF 2022 is to share our eight calls to action developed by members in reflection of the Sendai Framework Mid-Term Review – and integrate the voice of civil society on localisation and risk-informed development.
Becky Murphy, GNDR Policy Lead and UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM) Co-Chair is representing GNDR at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York from 5-12 July 2022.
These are the key messages coming from day one of the conference:
Opening session
The opening ceremony kicked off by setting the scene with some key messages: firstly H.E. Mr. Collen V. Kelapile, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) reminded us of the urgency of our work on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, it was highlighted that the Secretary-General’s SDG progress report – which the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs will present this morning – tells us that an additional 75-95 million people will live in extreme poverty in 2022, compared to the pre-pandemic level.
In addition to this, key issues highlighted included the need to prevent the acceleration of acute food insecurity.
The impact of the war on Ukraine was highlighted as an additional challenge threatening the progress of the SDGs.
The president of ECOSOC brought the focus to building back better after the pandemic and that HLPF 2022 will reflect on how recovery policies can overcome the crisis and reverse the negative impact the pandemic has had on the SDGs.
We were reminded that this is an important HLPF as 44 countries are presenting their Voluntary National Review (VNRs)
The HLPF this year will also be specifically reviewing:
- SDG 4 on education
- SDG 5 on gender
- SDG 14 on life below water
- SDG 15 life on land
- SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals
Building back better and advancing the SDGs
In this session, Covid-19, conflict and cascading risks such as food insecurity were highlighted, and the need for risk reduction, risk-informed decision making and resilience building.
Read the report on progress made on the SDGs 2022.
Peace, diplomacy and international cooperation were called upon to tackle the global challenges that serve to reverse the development gains made by the SDGs.
Virtual side event: Rebuilding for good from the Covid-19 pandemic – the role of civil society by CIVICUS
Key messages at this event included:
- Governments have to recognise and amplify the role of civil society
- Civil society has played a vital and irreplaceable role during the global pandemic, and similarly, it will be central in rebuilding our societies and pushing for the fundamental changes needed to make our world fit for the future generation
- However, to play its essential roles effectively, civil society must be adequately and flexibly resourced
- The CIVICUS paper was launched; this was supported by SIDA (Swedish Government), who also supported the fact that civil society needs to be meaningfully included as we will not be able to reach the SDG targets without civil society
Financing a robust crisis response and investing in the SDGs
This session asked two key questions: How has the landscape for financing development changed as a result of the interlinked crises? What has the impact been on the achievement of the SDGs?
Again risk reduction and resilience was highlighted; along with the need to understand and implement risk reduction financing; and how to de-risk investing in the least developed countries.
Here, the session connected to the UN common agenda and the need to commit to a renewed solidarity across members states.
Upcoming sessions to follow
Watch this space: our GNDR team are representing civil society for disaster risk reduction at the following sessions:
7 July: NGO Major Group Day at the Ford Foundation
Becky Murphy, Policy Lead, will moderate a breakout session with the SEM NGO Major Group co-chair on connecting the NGO Major Group to the UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism. Register to attend in person.
11 July: Enhancing Governance to Help Address Vulnerable Groups — Building Back Better
Becky Murphy, Policy Lead, will speak on the importance of civil society and the whole-of-society approach for risk-informed development.
Monday 11: A Risk-Informed Approach to Development in a Covid-19 Transformed World
Becky Murphy, Policy Lead, will speak on the role of civil society, the UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism and all-of-society approach for risk-informed development.
Tuesday 12: The Value of Partnerships to Reduce Disaster and Climate Risk
Shivangi Chavda, Senior Regional Lead, will discuss our Views from the Frontline work.
Tuesday 12: A Whole of Society for a Whole of Government: Delivering Agenda 2030 from GP2022 to the HLPF to COP27 and Beyond
Adessou Kossivi, Regional Lead for Africa, will moderate this event and showcase the role of civil society.
Find out more
You can find all the details from HLPF 2022, including the full programme, how to attend virtual events and transcripts of speeches and interventions on the event website.
Read the NGO Major Group Side Event flyer and details for the rest of the week.