ADA Newsletter- March, 2020

Dear ADA Members and Friends,
Today when the world is grappling with the deadly coronavirus, all of us are closely monitoring this global pandemic and it’s devastating impacts and how it has disrupted efforts to address our shared challenges. In this sad moment, we also sympathise with people who have lost their loved ones, or those who are fighting Corona virus in various parts of the globe. We also salute the efforts of the government,  health workers, media, police  and volunteers who are out in the field and saving lives, supporting and safeguarding the communities in all possible ways.
We promise, this deadly virus will not deter us from doing the great jobs. We have also enlisted the messages from our members and other stakeholders across the world and sharing stories of their commitments in these tough times.
Please look for this space to hear more exciting stories and glance through and feel free to share updates should you wish them published in our monthly newsletter apart from giving your suggestions on how to improve our communication with you at   ada2030.secretariat@gmail.com
 
In solidarity, 

Jyotsna Mohan
Coordinator - ADA 

Table of Contents

ADA message on COVID-19 to its members
Virtual discussion on accelerating transformation for the 7th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, Monday 30 March, 10 am
Worth a Read!!!
Asia Pacific SDGs Progress Report 2020
Handbook for the preparation for VNR  (2020)
G20 Information Center
C20 Information
Philippines: CODE-NGO Statement on COVID-19 Response
India: WNTA Response to the COVID 19
Pakistan : Awaz Foundation Response to the COVID-19
The Impact and Policy Responses for COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific
India- Social Sector Response to COVID 19
MV KAPITAL is Sinking
A small Spark of hope for bipartisan cooperation in SDGs
2018 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
Strengthening the mobilization of private and sub national domestic investments in srilanka for 2030 agenda transformation fund
Global Indicator Framework on SDGs: update and CSO perspectives
Empowering Civil Society for National reporting and Action on SDG16
Forus and ADA National Case Studies on Goal 16
Action Please!!!
Coronavirus Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak
ESCAP - Virtual Discussions on Accelerating Transformation on Asia and the Pacific.  [Register Now!] - UN DESA Webinar: Economic and Social Impacts of COVID-19 - 9 April 2020, 10-11:30AM (EDT) More information: bit.ly/UNDESACovid
UN COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan – US$2 billion
UN DESA Briefing: “COVID-19 likely to shrink global GDP by almost one per cent in 2020”
UN-DESA: “Multi-stakeholder Engagement in 2030 Agenda Implementation: A review of Voluntary National Review Reports (2016-2019)”
SDGs Learning, Training and Practice HLPF Workshops – Extended deadline for submitting proposals: April 22
Save the date! Regional Forums webinars (A4SD and Forus)
Extraordinary G20 Leaders´ Summit Statement on COVID-19
UN2020 Civil Society Partnerships of the UN We Need – Update
ECOSOC 2019-2020 & HLPF 2020 Theme: (07 July – 14 July, 2020)
Work Calendar 2020
 

ADA message on COVID-19 to its members

Greetings from Asia Development Alliance (ADA)
 
Dear Esteemed ADA members and Partners:
 
I, on behalf of Co-conveners, Steering Committee and Secretariat of Asia Development Alliance (ADA) hope that you are doing well in this Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) crisis time. ADA has closely monitored the development of COVID-19 and learned that the virus has been rapidly spread out across the globe. Almost none of Asian countries confirmed no COVID-19 cases. 
 
As your safety and health is our first and foremost priority, so the number of our large gatherings to happen between March - April 2020 will be postponed to new dates which will be confirmed later. During this difficult time, ADA will look at online platforms in order to engage with you on several important issues such as institutionalization of ADA, and new 4 year Strategic Plan 2021 - 2024 and a few others. ADA will communicate with you on these matters in a separate email early next week.
 
In this occasion ADA wishes you all stay safe and healthy. To keep yourself updated on the COVID-19, please link to: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.
 
In solidarity.
 
Warmest regards,
Saroeun SOEUNG
Co-Chair of Steering Committee for Asia Development Alliance (ADA) – www.ada2030.org 
Vice President of Executive Committee for Forus – www.forus-international.org    
Member of Steering Committee for Asia Democracy Network (ADN) - www.adn21.asia, on behalf of ADA
Email: ccc.director@ccc-cambodia.org. Office Mobile phone: +855 (0) 12 818 691, Skype: Saroeun578 

Virtual discussion on accelerating transformation for the 7th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, Monday 30 March, 10 am

This two our webinar was the first in the series held in order to allow for sharing of views on how to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 
The programme is available here: https://www.unescap.org/events/virtual-discussion-series-accelerating-transformation-asia-and-pacific (please see the 30 March event). 
 
The discussion was be structured as follows:

• Introduction and welcoming remarks by the Chair of the 6th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development
• Presentation by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP
• Interactive session

 
One of the important highlights of the session was the reference to the The Asia and Pacific SDG Progress Report 2020 findings that highlights that the Asia and Pacific region are trailing on Sustainable Development Goal’s progress and categorises region’s performance is “poor” on most measurable environmental targets. The region is struggling the most on SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 16 (Peace Justice and Strong institutions).

Worth a Read!!!

Asia Pacific SDGs Progress Report 2020 

Handbook for the preparation for VNR  (2020) 

G20 Information Center 

C20 Information 

Philippines: CODE-NGO Statement on COVID-19 Response 

India: WNTA Response to the COVID 19 

Pakistan : Awaz Foundation Response to the COVID-19 

The Impact and Policy Responses for COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific 

MV KAPITAL is Sinking 

A small Spark of hope for bipartisan cooperation in SDGs 

2018 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 

Strengthening the mobilization of private and sub national domestic investments in srilanka for 2030 agenda transformation fund 

Global Indicator Framework on SDGs: update and CSO perspectives 

Empowering Civil Society for National reporting and Action on SDG16 

Forus and ADA National Case Studies on Goal 16 

 Action Please!!!

Coronavirus Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak 

ESCAP - Virtual Discussions on Accelerating Transformation on Asia and the Pacific. 
[Register Now!] - UN DESA Webinar: Economic and Social Impacts of COVID-19 - 9 April 2020, 10-11:30AM (EDT) More information: bit.ly/UNDESACovid

UN COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan – US$2 billion

On March 25 the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched a US$2 billion coordinated global humanitarian response plan to fund the fight against COVID-19 across South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
The launch was held virtually in UN headquarters in New York, with the Secretary-General being joined by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
 
“The world faces a global health crisis unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations — one that is spreading human suffering, crippling the global economy and upending people’s lives. 
 
COVID-19 is threatening the whole of humanity – and the whole of humanity must fight back. Global action and solidarity are crucial. The world is only as strong as the weakest health system. 
 
This COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan aims to enable us to fight the virus in the world’s poorest countries, and address the needs of the most vulnerable people, especially women and children, older people, and those with disabilities or chronic illness.”
 

UN DESA Briefing: “COVID-19 likely to shrink global GDP by almost one per cent in 2020”

1 April 2020, New York 
Bold and urgent policy measures needed to protect the most vulnerable and promote sustainability
The global economy could shrink by almost one percent this year—0.9 percent—due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and world output could contract further if imposed restrictions on economic activities extend to the third quarter of the year and if fiscal responses fail to support income and consumer spending, according to  a new briefing issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs today.
The severity of the economic impact—whether a moderate or deep recession—will largely depend on the duration of restrictions on the movement of people and economic activities in major economies and on the actual size and efficacy of fiscal responses to the crisis. According to the report, a well-designed fiscal stimulus package, prioritizing health spending to contain the spread of the virus and providing income support to households most affected by the pandemic would help to minimize the likelihood of a deep economic recession.
“Urgent and bold policy measures are needed, not only to contain the pandemic and save lives, but also to protect the most vulnerable in our societies from economic ruin and to sustain economic growth and financial stability,” stressed Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
 
For more information: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-april-2020-briefing-no-136/
The Monthly Briefing series is available at: www.bit.ly/wespbrief

UN-DESA: “Multi-stakeholder Engagement in 2030 Agenda Implementation: A review of Voluntary National Review Reports (2016-2019)”

 
New report highlights:
 
- How countries report on stakeholder engagement in the implementation and follow up of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
- An assessment of current practices and engagement examples
- Gaps and potential areas where countries and stakeholders need additional support, including capacity building
 
Read the full report here.
 
 

SDGs Learning, Training and Practice HLPF Workshops – Extended deadline for submitting proposals: April 22

 
The SDGs Learning, Training and Practice are a series of capacity building and knowledge workshops held during the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF), 7-13 July 2020, featuring speakers and experts from academia and other sectors on crucial topics related to the implementation of the SDGs under review in 2020.  Organizations interested in submitting proposals to host workshop sessions should apply using this link.
For more information visit here.
 

Save the date! Regional Forums webinars (A4SD and Forus)

Some UN Regional Sustainable Development Forums have been postponed this year because of COVID 19 and that questions arise about whether the HLPF 2020 will be able to take place in July 2020, or not.
Forus and its partner Action For Sustainable Development (A4SD) are keen to share thoughts on how we can ensure that the space for dialogue on improving and strengthening the regional and global level review and monitoring of national SDG implementation is kept open in these difficult times, particularly in light of the UN HLPF Review process that has already begun.
Please click here to sign up for our webinar on the regional forums on:

• April 6th at 13:00 GMT (English)
  • Join Zoom meeting using this link: https://zoom.us/j/821777521?pwd=K3VxNTJUa2tIU1czdWhLWnM3NGFmdz09
  • Meeting ID: 821 777 521

Password: 072127

 Extraordinary G20 Leaders´ Summit Statement on COVID-19 

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic is a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and vulnerabilities. The virus respects no borders. Combatting this pandemic calls for a transparent, robust, coordinated, large-scale and science-based global response in the spirit of solidarity. We are strongly committed to presenting a united front against this common threat. 
 
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the suffering faced by people around the world. Tackling the pandemic and its intertwined health, social and economic impacts is our absolute priority. We express our gratitude and support to all frontline health workers as we continue to fight the pandemic. The G20 is committed to do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic, along with the World Health Organization (WHO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG), United Nations (UN), and other international organizations, working within their existing mandates. 
 
We are determined to spare no effort, both individually and collectively, to: 
? Protect lives. 
? Safeguard people’s jobs and incomes. 
? Restore confidence, preserve financial stability, revive growth and recover stronger. 
? Minimize disruptions to trade and global supply chains. 
? Provide help to all countries in need of assistance. 
? Coordinate on public health and financial measures.
 
Here is the link to the full statement.
  

UN2020 Civil Society Partnerships of the UN We Need – Update 

Dear all,
The next draft of the Interim People's Declaration and Program of Action awaits your comments and suggestions. There are quite a few changes from the last version. On behalf of the drafting team, thank you for providing such robust feedback.
 
This is a work in progress, which will be improved upon over the coming weeks. The draft is already quite long and suggestions on items to consolidate are welcome.
 
This draft will periodically open and close for comments until April 19 (timeline). Additionally, there is a Google Form for more extensive, section-by-section feedback, currently available in English. Other languages will be forthcoming. Comments and suggestions can also be sent directly to Dan Perell.
 
We welcome more expertise and hope to receive feedback from various constituency groups, individual experts and academics, and others over the course of the next few weeks. If there are individuals who you think should be sought specifically, please send an email with the contact information to Dan Perell.
 
 IISD / SDG Knowledge Hub Story: “G20 Leaders Pledge Cooperation to Address Pandemic´s Health,Economic and Trade Implications”
 
Story highlights:
 
- The G20 Leaders participated in a virtual summit to discuss cooperative efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguard the global economy, address international trade disruptions, and enhance global cooperation.
- Leaders stressed that the pandemic is a reminder of our interconnectedness and vulnerabilities.
- Several days before the virtual summit, the leaders of China and the UK discussed the biodiversity and climate conferences they are set to host later in 2020, noting that they represent "opportunities for the two sides to promote international cooperation in health and epidemic prevention".
 
Read the full story here.
 

ECOSOC 2019-2020 & HLPF 2020 Theme: (07 July – 14 July, 2020)

‘Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development’.
2020 HLPF Website:
The website for the 2020 HLPF website is now live. This year there will be a link in the navigation bar for information on processes and documentation specific to the Major Groups and other Stakeholders at the 2020 HLPF. More information will be uploaded in the coming months.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf/2020
HLPF VNR 2020
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/vnrs/

Work Calendar 2020

• ADA's official website has been renewed. All the information related to the implementation of SDGs in Asia and actions conducted by Asian CSOs will be accumulated on this website. Please visit www.ada2030.org
• ADA's Facebook page has been activated! The page will channel useful information among civil society actors in Asia. Feel free to tag @Asia Development Alliance in future collaboration. The page is accessible with this web address: https://www.facebook.com/ada2030/ 
• ADA Twitter account @alliance_asia