ADA Monthly Newsletter- October 2017
Dear ADA members and Friends,
The last quarter of the year has been getting hectic with many important events and activities related to SDGs taking place all over the globe especially in Asia. With the UN announcing the dates for 2018 HLPF and 48 VNR reporting countries, the countries are now gearing up to writing their reports and the CSOs are getting ready to monitor the entire process. This is also the time to capacitate the CSOs to get involved in the process through training and capacity building and advocacy especially at the national level.
Therefore, please remain in touch to get the latest news and updates on SDGs, development, and democracies!
Please show your solidarity by contributing any news, information or article from your country/ region to our newsletter.
Hope it is useful for your reflection… Please see below for details how to get involved and share your activities for greater impact!
In solidarity,
ADA Secretariat
Table of Contents
ADA and Members Activities
Regional Activities
Regional knowledge Exchange (RKE): Supporting Policy Coherence for Accelerating Progress Towards the 2030 Agenda, 1-4 October 2017, Manila, Philippines
CSO Forum – October 1, 2017, Manila.
The Regional Knowledge Exchange: Implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, 2-4 October 2017, Manila
North-East Asian Multistakeholder Forum on Sustainable Development Goals, 10-11 October 2017, Beijing, China
GALA East Asia: Phnom Penh, Cambodia- 18-23 October 2017
CSO Reflection on Commitment in Paris Peace Accords, after 26 Years – Phnom Penh, 19 Oct. 2017
Exchange & learning ADA-IFP workshop, October 24 - Phnom Penh.
Useful Documents
For your Action
Voluntary National Review (VNR)
Registration for the HLPF 2018
International Key Events related to SDGs 2017
ADA and Members Activities
Regional Activities
Regional knowledge Exchange (RKE): Supporting Policy Coherence for Accelerating Progress Towards the 2030 Agenda, 1-4 October 2017, Manila, Philippines
CSO Forum – October 1, 2017, Manila
The RKE in Manila organised by the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) and was the second one, the first one was held last year in BKK. The aim of the first one was to exchange knowledge on SDG implementation, monitoring, etc. amongst UNDP country teams, their partners and CSOs at the national a nd regional (AP) levels. Many ADA members and partners not only attended the workshop but provided their worthy inputs during the workshop and later into the CSO statement
The conference objective this year aimed at bringing more policy coherence in the SDG implementation. This year, BRH decided to give CSOs a bigger spacebyorganising a half-day consultation. This was also a good opportunity for the CSO’s to bring in their thoughts and share practices on SDGs and Agenda 2030. A Task Force on Key Messages and Recommendations was formed to lookthrough the whole program for the 4 days and maximise spaces for CSO intervention.
The interventions and participation in the RKE might be able to guide the UNDP in building CSO and communities' capacities to engage with the government at the local, national, regional and global (e.g. HLPF and UNGA) levels apart from building network with the UN and with each other to be able to move valuable resources and knowledge in pushing for Agenda 2030.
CSO Statement - RKE Manila, 2017
The Regional Knowledge Exchange: Implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, 2-4 October 2017, Manila
The 2017 Regional Knowledge Exchange was co-hosted by the  Government of the Philippines, through the National Economic and Development Authority that brought together senior government officials and civil society organizations from Asia and the Pacific who are involved in planning, financing, monitoring and implementing the 2030 Agenda, together with technical experts, civil society and development partners. The theme of the 2017 Regional Knowledge Exchange was on ensuring policy coherence across sectors and between national and sub-national governments to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It also looked at how countries are promoting coherence in terms of their financing of the SDGs across both public and private sectors, as well as international and domestic sources of financing. Please refer to the links below to see:
North-East Asian Multistakeholder Forum on Sustainable Development Goals , 10-11 October 2017, Beijing, China
The North-East Asia Multistakeholder Forum on Sustainable Development Goals wasorganised to ensure the continued dialogue among stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, the private sector, and international community. The forum brought together and connect key players from various sectors and roles, and enable exchanges on the challenges and opportunities as well as the way forward in striving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 The forum also aimed at strengthening subregional perspective on the theme of the 5th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) and High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2018, “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies” and ensured that these perspectives are well-captured in regional and global dialogue and review of progress. The forum discussed ways to ensure that subregional progress on the selected SDGs for review by the HLPF 2018 include water, energy, cities, responsible consumption and life on land as well as the means of implementation and partnership is taken into account at both global and regional levels, and by subregional cooperation efforts.
The main objective of the Forum was to enable an inclusive dialogue among multistakeholder groups in North-East Asia on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to ensure that subregional perspectives on supporting the follow- up and review of the Agenda are well reflected in the relevant regional and global processes.
GALA East Asia: Phnom Penh, Cambodia- 18-23 October 2017
The 5th Glocal Advocacy Leadership in Asia (GALA) Academy – East Asia is a jointinitiative by Asia Development Alliance (ADA) and Asia Democracy Network (ADN) with the aim of strengthening advocacy capacity of CSOs for defending and promoting civic and democratic space and human rights through strategic “glocal (global and local)” actions on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 The 6 days training was organised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 18 to 23 Oct. 2017 in partnership with the International Forum of National NGO/CSO Platforms (IFP), Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) Network and Asia Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD) with the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) as a local host.
Trainees from the countries of Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, S. Korea, Philippines and Singapore underwent the training on SDG 16 and SDG17. The trainees designed their country-level indicators for monitoring SDG 16. The participants were also trained on framing national indicators on SDG 16, based on the global indicators. During this training, the participant also prepared their draft Guidelines and Timeline for CSO engagement in HLPF VNR 2017 country-specific guidelines on VNR after intensive training on SDG 16 Mapping about Glocal Actors (GO, CSO and Multi-Stake Holders (MSH)). Later the participants also did the country level strategic planning, which will be shared with the wider civil society following GALA S. Asia.
CSO Reflection on Commitment in Paris Peace Accords, after 26 Years – Phnom Penh, 19 Oct. 2017
On the occasion of the 26th Anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement (PPA), the civil society organizations in Cambodia called on the Royal Government of Cambodia and on all the countries involved in the 1991 Paris Conference to respect their engagements to promote and protect democracy and human rights in Cambodia. Despite the Prime Minister’s recent claim that “the Paris Peace Agreement is like a ghost”, the Paris agreement and particularly the ACPS and the ASIT constitute mult ilateral treaties which are legally binding. Further, the principles of multi-party democracy and respect for human rights are enshrined in Articles 1, 31, 34 New and 35 of the constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, creating a further obligation for the Cambodian authorities to not only respect but promote such key principles.
Significant progress has been made since 1991 towards the maintenance of peace and stability in the country. Economic and Social development has permitted a significant reduction of poverty and gradual economic growth; it also led to a notable increase in the population’s access to health and education. However, shortcomings still exist in the implementation of the Agreements, creating cause for concerns regarding holding of free and fair July 2018 elections. Cambodia is facing an unprecedented deterioration of the civil and political environment since the adoption of the Paris Peace Agreement, about which the UN human rights council expressed serious concerns in its 26thSeptember 2017 resolution, noting its ‘chilling effect’ on the civil society. With the closure of critical newspapers , radios and radio programs, the closure or suspension o non-governmental organizations working on democracy, environmental rights and human rights, the increased surveillance in civil society organizations; the use of the judicial system against the opposition; and the explicit threat of violence against any form of protest or critics, the time has come for the signatories to take action.
The meeting witnessed participation from many human right organizations including the GALA trainees participation from almost 11 countries in Asia. The objective of the meeting was;
- to reflect on key progress, shortcomings and what needs to be done further for actualisation of five key commitments in Paris Peace Accord
- to reflect and discuss on the role of civil society organizations in contributing to the realisation od all commitments in PPA
- to look at internal governance and capacity of the CSOs in responding to the current development.
Exchange & learning ADA-IFP workshop, 24 Oct. 2017 - Phnom Penh
 An exchange & learning workshop around good practices on Agenda 2030 (Goals 16 & Goal 17) was organized on October 24 in Phnom Penh by ADA & the IFP, in the sidelines of the GALAA training and before the IFP’s Council meeting by International Forum of national NGO platforms (IFP) and Asia Development Alliance (ADA).
The meeting was attended by almost 40 participants from IFP Council members and ADA members, especially the GALA East Asia participants.
Purpose of the workshop: This workshop aimed to address how the Sustainable Development Goals are approached in different countries and at the international level. The overarching theme is an enabling environment for civil society, with a focus on:
· Meaningful, responsive and inclusive participation mechanisms for civil society in decision-making at all levels (national, regional and international).
· Data-monitoring by civil society of progress linked to indicators, targets & goals, including for CSO involvement in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) processes.
Outcomes:
Participants had the opportunity to identify and articulate the challenges for civil society in influencing the implementation of the SDGs in their national context; Participants were able to compare notes, exchanging solutions and practices on innovative advocacy and communication strategies as well as on participatory mechanisms; Participants learnt the tools, tips and examples that they can put into practice in their work at national level.
Useful Documents
Guiding for Accountability – Together 2030 recommendations for a revised set of guidelines for Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. This is the outcome of a collective effort by members of the Initiative and was made possible through a partnership with World Vision.
IFP- Everything you need to know about the VNR process” is to provide you with a useful introduction to, and links for VNR-related resource materials. Many of your organizations intend to participate in your country’s upcoming Voluntary National Review (VNR) process, which is the basis for regular reviews of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Many of you would probably like to know more about the VNR process and how it will/should operate in your country. This Update also aims to share with you the experiences of CSOs in other countries who have engaged with their government’s VNR process and to help you to identify best practice.
Please click on the link below and you will be able to access a PDF version of the IFP Advocacy Update with useful links and information to help you to better understand and engage with the VNR process in your country!
Link to PDF : http://ifp-fip.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Update-VNR-EN.pdf
For your Action
GALA South Asia: Pokhara, Nepal- 12-16 November 2017
The 5th Glocal Advocacy Leadership in Asia (GALA) Academy – South Asia is a joint initiative by Asia Development Alliance (ADA) and Asia Democracy Network (ADN) with the aim of strengthening advocacy capacity of CSOs for defending and promoting civic and democratic space and human rights through strategic “glocal (global and local)” actions on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is to be organized in Pokhara, Nepal from 12 to 16 Nov. 2017 in partnership with the International Forum of National NGO/CSO Platforms (IFP), Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) Network and Asia Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD) with the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) as a local host.
The workshop is expected to help CSOs in South Asia to learn about SDGs itself as well as how to engage with the government and others stakeholders for the implementation of SDGs including monitoring and coalition-building among CSOs across the sectors.
The brochure can be read on:
http://koreapr.eowork.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news01&wr_id=64
ASEAN POLICY Discussion in Nov 2017 and related meetings in Manila
Please go the link to get detailed information
http://koreapr.eowork.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news01&wr_id=66
ESCAP engagement on the 2030 Agenda and sustainable development processes – upcoming opportunities
There are quite a few opportunities for civil society experts to engage in ESCAP's work coming up including sub-regional meetings that started with a meeting in Central Asia last week, to be followed by the North-East Asia forum on 10-11 October, and the South East Asia forum on 18-19 October Bangkok and the South-Asia meeting in early November
The ESCAP secretariat is organizing several events and producing several knowledge products between now and the 2018 Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD). Civil society’s perspectives and contributions related to the joint 2018 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and APFSD theme, to the cluster of goals and the follow-up and review process, will ensure that due attention is paid to the right issues and that there are more awareness and understanding of the realities faced by different constituencies.
Civil society colleagues are invited to review the opportunities below and pre-register their interest to participate. For more information, please scroll down.
High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2018
The meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development in 2018 convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council will be held on Monday, 9 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2018; including the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum from Monday, 16 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2018.
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. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, that will be considered each year:
- Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
- Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Voluntary National Review (VNR)
In 2018, 48 countries will be conducting voluntary national reviews at the HLPF. For more details, please click here.
The following countries from Asia will be presenting their VNR in (10): Bahrain; Bhutan; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Lebanon; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Sri Lanka; United Arab Emirates; Vietnam
Registration for the HLPF 2018
Governmental and non-governmental representatives planning to participate in the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) must be accredited to the United Nations in order to register for this meeting.
The following participants may attend or be represented: States Members of the United Nations and States members of specialized agencies, inter-governmental organizations, United Nations system, major groups and other stakeholders, and media.
Further information on registration will be forthcoming.
International Key Events related to SDGs 2017
| Dates |
Place |
Events |
| Feb 24-25 |
Bangkok |
ADA-APSD Regional Workshop on HLPF VNR on SDGs |
| Feb 25 |
Bangkok |
ADA Steering Committee Meeting |
| Feb. 26 |
Bangkok |
Regional Consultation on Civic Space in Asia – India, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Philippines |
| Mar 1-3 |
Bonn, Germany |
|
