Social Watch E-Newsletter - Issue 348 - July 7, 2019

Social Watch at the HLPF 2019
Spotlight report on the 2030 Agenda

A side event hosted by UNDP will present and discuss national reports on the 2030 Agenda, both by governments (VNRs) and civil society (“spotlight” or “shadow” reports).
Voluntary national reviews (VNRs) are an important innovation as a United Nations process for follow-up to the SDGs. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, from the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) will present key findings of its analysis of 2018 VNRs.
In the 2030 Agenda governments promised “accountability to our citizens”. Civil societies responded by multiplying their own national and regional “spotlight” reports and engaging with governments in a variety of ways about their findings. Roberto Bissio, from Social Watch and Barbara Adams from Global Policy Forum will present the findings of alternative reports and link those processes with the global follow-up and review. Read more
11 JULY, 2019 AT 6 PM
UN FF BUILDING – 304 EAST 45TH STREET, 11^TH FLOOR

Four years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda the world is off-track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most governments have failed to turn the transformational vision of the 2030 Agenda into real policies for change. Even worse, xenophobia and authoritarianism are on the rise in a growing number of countries. But there are signs of change. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is not just a matter of better policies. It requires more holistic and more sweeping shifts in how and where power is vested, including through institutional, legal, social, economic and political commitments to realizing human rights and ecological justice.
The Spotlight Report 2019 has as main topic “reshaping governance for sustainability”. It offers analysis and recommendations on the global governance that sustainability requires, as well as on how to strengthen inclusive and participatory governance to overcome structural obstacles and institutional gaps.
At the roundtable event on July 11th in New York authors of the Spotlight Report 2019 will present key findings and recommendations to participants for discussion. Read more.
11 JULY 2019, 9:30-11:30 AM
BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, CONFERENCE ROOM, 866 UN PLAZA

The EU is still lacking a comprehensive strategy on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its ambitious commitments to action. On average, the EU has one of the world's worst environmental footprint per capita, with unsustainable lifestyles based on resource and labour exploitation in other parts of the world. The economy of the future needs to take into account the environmental and social impact beyond our borders rather than living in the illusion of a low-carbon, resource efficient Europe that exports resource-intensive production to other parts of the world. At the launching event on July 15th in New York authors of the Spotlight Report Sustainability in Europe will present in some important policy areas where there is an urgent need for action, because the external effects of European policies are not sufficiently taken into account. Read more
Launch Spotlight Report Sustainability in Europe
Who is paying the Bill ? (Negative) impacts of EU policies and practices in the World
MONDAY 15TH OF JULY - 16.30-18.00H
CHURCH CENTER - 10TH FLOOR

Reducing inequalities (SDG10) is essential for overcoming extreme poverty (SDG 1) and a successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda as a whole. Many countries experience high and increasing inequalities. A reversal of this trend is not in sight. Therefore, it is paramount to take political action towards reaching this central goal of the 2030 Agenda. Strong social protection and redistributive policies significantly reduce inequality within countries. Therefore, it is essential to develop overarching strategies, build universal social protection systems as well as assess and increase redistributive capacities. These measures have to ensure that no one is left behind and equitable access to protection against risks and against poverty for all people is guaranteed.
The panel will discuss the most persistent barriers to a sustained reduction of inequalities and the contribution of fiscal and social protection policies to overcome inequalities worldwide. Read more
July 15, 2019, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations | Auditorium

Denmark, Sweden and Finland are the top ranking countries in terms of sustainable development, while Niger, Chad and the Central African Republic are the worse performers, according to the updated SDG Index recently launched by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Can a single number summarize sustainable development? Or will it rather generate confusion? Read more