CONCEPT NOTE
National Meet on the Reassessment of the SDGs Post COVID -19
Islamabad, Pakistan
I. Introduction
Parliamentary engagement is essential to translate the global 2030 Agenda into practice. The implementation of the SDGs requires utilization of wide-ranging policy approaches. The sustainable goals and their 169 targets are cross-cutting in all areas such as health, nutrition, education, poverty, economic growth, climate change, and sustainable use of resources. The objectives integrate three approaches of development goals i.e. social inclusion, economic development and environmental sustainability. Pakistan is committed to the SDGs and has embarked on strategizing and implementing its development agenda in line with the SDGs with a distinct approach. Having established first of its kind SDGs Secretariat in its Parliament, Pakistan has institutionalized the process of representation, legislation and representation of the SDGs targets.
In order to achieve the targets and their respective indicators it is imperative to establish a regionally coordinated strategy. There is a need to share experiences and challenges and devise a way forward.
The Pandemic has significantly disrupted the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It has become impetrative to discuss the challenges that are before us after the spread of COVID -19 and it is even more important to engage in discourse regarding the 2030 Agenda.
It is essential to priortise the SDGs with a national lens. Therefore, the National Meet on the SDGs will provide a platform for redesigning of the global goals in an inclusive, resilient and sustainable manner. One of the key outputs of the National Consultation shall include a national framework which will allow for a roadmap to be established and
will assist in the prioritization of the goals, nationally. After the key priority areas are identified the focus can be shifted towards its implementation and subsequent policy making.
II. Outcomes
The National Meet aims to discuss the accelaration in the implementation of the country’s national plans in achieveing the SDGs. The National consultation will include all relevant stakeholders, members from National and Provincial assemblies, civil society organizations and development partners.
The central objective of the conference will be to encourage debate regarding improving oversight by allowing all stakeholders to participate in meaningful discourse. The aim is to seek recommendations with the analysis of best practices to be applied nationally and to get acquainted with those practices for effective parliamentary mechanisms for SDGs implementation.
The seminars expected outcomes shall include:
1. Recommendations for expediting achievements of SDGs which are inclusive of legislative measures to assist in the development of plans, policies and budget allocations post COVID – 19;
2. Developing a national coordinated strategy in order to set out the road map around the SDGs Agenda 2030.
Vision
VISION behind the National Meet on SDGs:
Parliamentary engagement is essential to translate the global 2030 Agenda into practice. The implementation of the SDGs requires utilization of wide-ranging policy approaches.
The sustainable goals and their 169 targets are cross-cutting in all areas such as health, nutrition, education, poverty, economic growth, climate change, and sustainable use of resources.
The objectives integrate three approaches of development goals i.e. social inclusion, economic development and environmental sustainability. Pakistan is committed to the SDGs and has embarked on strategizing and implementing its development agenda in line with the SDGs with a distinct approach. Having established first of its kind SDGs Secretariat in its Parliament, Pakistan has institutionalized the process of representation, legislation and representation of the SDGs targets.
In order to achieve the targets and their respective indicators it is imperative to establish a regionally coordinated strategy. There is a need to share experiences and challenges and devise a way forward.
The Pandemic has also significantly disrupted the progress towards the sustainable Development Goals. It has become imperative to discuss the challenges that are before us after the spread of Covid -19 and it is even more important to engage in discourse regarding the 2030 Agenda.
It is essential to priortise the SDGs with a national lens. Therefore, the National Meet on the SDGs will provide a platform for redesigning of the global goals in an inclusive, resilient and sustainable manner. One of the key outputs of the National Meet shall include a national framework which will allow for a roadmap to be established and will assist in the prioritization of the goals, nationally. After the key priority areas are identified the focus can
be shifted towards its implementation and subsequent policy making.
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
Day 1: 27th July 2022
Arrival of delegates
Inaugural session (10:00-11:00)
Welcome Remarks by Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Convener National Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs Introductory remarks:
• H.E Dr Riina Kionka, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan
• Mr. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Key Note: – Mr. Ahsan Iqbal (TBC)
Group photo
Setting the scene: SDG implementation in Pakistan (11:00-11:15)
With only 8 years left in the Decade of Action, this presentation will provide an overview of progress with the implementation of the SDG agenda in the Pakistan, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging challenges in the social, economic and environmental spheres.
Tea Break (11:15-11:30)
1st PARALLEL BREAKOUT SESSIONS (11:30-13:00)
Session I: Envisioning inclusive development: Socio-economic challenges in Pakistan
This session will discuss how COVID-19 recovery can enhance economic resilience, adopt an inclusive approach, and ensure resources are not diverted from sustainable development.
Presentation by Punjab
Session II: Ending hunger and malnutrition
The aim of the debate on this topic is to discuss ways to successfully address population needs (Specifically targetting vulnerable groups) through the promotion of adequate policies and laws across sectors, including health, agriculture,
education and gender equality, and to implement the SDGs by maximizing the available resources for nutrition. Food insecurity, malnutrition and obesity, independently, represent three of the most complex conditions threatening the
livelihoods of populations/vulnerable groups in nearly every country, making them leading causes of poor health in Pakistan.
Presentation by Balochistan
Session III: Sustainable and Eco-Tourism
Sustainable Tourism focuses on the re-focusing of principles of the environmetal, economic, socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary. Sustainable tourism and ecotourism efforts contribute greatly to the Sustainable Development Goal of improving life on land. These efforts directly affect the preservation of national heritage, wilderness areas, culture as well as the employment of locals and directing of profits into the local communities.
Presentation by AJK & GB
Lunch and prayer break (13:00-14:00)
2nd PARALLEL BREAKOUT SESSIONS (14:00-15:30)
Session I: Re-Defining Corporate Social Responsibility for the achievement of SDGs
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are well-known concepts in the business world. Effective implementation of CSR can bring a wealth of benefits to an organisation in regards to reputation and employee satisfaction, while contributing to the SDGs. Corporate Social Responsibility relates to the social and environmental initiatives that an organisation incorporates into its ‘business operations and interactions with its stakeholders’ to build a sustainable future.
It’s a business management concept where organisations pay substantial consideration to their business morals and ethics, and examine how they can contribute value to the local community and environment through their business practices while achieving sustainable growth. Many businesses action CSR on a basic level by donating money to charities or by choosing a ‘charity of the year’ to support. While this has short-term benefits, we must acknowledge the distinction between charitable giving and strategic CSR, which has a long-term impact on social and environmental prosperity.
Session II: Ensuring equitable access to health
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on health systems and national budgets, with countries facing challenges in ensuring equitable health outcomes and sustaining efforts towards universal health coverage. Inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations between and within countries and vaccine hesitancy are further limiting countries’ ability to contain the virus and focus on making progress towards health targets. With only 8 years left to achieve SDGs targets, Parliaments should now take steps to improve access to health for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Presentation by KPK
Session III: National dialogue on climate change and the impact of heatwave
Pakistan has endured heightened heatwaves since 2015 and is in the grip of a blistering heatwave currently, with parts of the nation already scorched by temperatures of nearly 50C as officials warn of acute water shortages and a threat to health.Swathes of Pakistan have been smothered by high temperatures since late April. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned Pakistan regarding the intensity, duration and the frequency of these heatwaves which are only increasing. Pakistan’s key waterway – had shrunk by 65 percent “due to a lack of rains and snow” this year. There is a real danger of a shortfall in food and crop supply this year as well. Quickly melting glaciers swell lakes which then burst their banks and unleash torrents of ice, rock and water in events known as glacial lake outburst floods. All these factors contribute to the severity of climate change impact in Pakistan, therefore a timely and efficient strategy is required to mitigate the rising risks to sustainable and ecological development.
Presentation by Sindh
Day 2: 28th July, 2022
SESSION: Integrating the SDGs into national policy (09:30 – 11:00 AM)
Parliaments have a key role to play in ensuring that funding and resources are invested effectively to support sustainable development and make sure that national budgets address the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable. The session will cover how Parliaments can advocate for a coherent integration of the SDGs into budgets and how to ensure that governments are held accountable from an SDG perspective for how resources are spent. This session will focus on domestication of the recommendations made after the parallell breakout sessions. It will cover the integration of the SDGs into national policies and how legislation can support the implementation of these policies.
It will also highlight the importance of reviewing legislation proposed by governments in order to ensure that it contributes to the achievement of both the national development action plan and the wider 2030 Agenda, as well as guaranteeing that the needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations are taken into consideration.
Recap of previous sessions
Tea Break (11:00- 11:15 AM)
Closing plenary (11:15-12:45 PM)
The way forward – Conclusions of the parallel breakout sessions
Closing remarks by Chief Guest (TBC)
Outcome document: Presented by Hon. Convener Romina Khurshid Alam
Group Photo
Networking Lunch hosted by Hon. Convener Romina Khurshid Alam (01:00PM)
Departure of Guests
