United Nations Archives - International Alliance of Women

UN Women Opens Global Office at the UN Campus in Bonn

IAW Communications Unit — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:44:42 +0000

A New Hub for Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Through Global Collaboration

UN Women Opens Global Office in Bonn

Since November 2025, Bonn—the German City of the United Nations—has hosted a new member of its UN family. In the presence of Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, the third UN Women global office (after New York and Nairobi) was officially opened at the Bonn UN Campus on November 21, 2025. The UN Campus, situated close to the River Rhine, provides an inspiring environment for international collaboration.

Advancing Gender Equality Globally

This global strategy allows for a more flexible agenda to advance women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls. Moreover, as UN Women is the lead UN entity on gender equality, collaboration with other UN agencies in Bonn offers strong potential. These include the Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Volunteers Programme (UNV), the World Health Organization / European Environment and Health Hub (WHO), and the SDG Action Campaign. Such collaboration offers a strong opportunity to accelerate the empowerment agenda for women and girls.

UN Women’s Mission in Action

The press release states: “As the lead UN entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social behaviours, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress—always, everywhere.”

Germany’s Support and Bonn’s UN Hub

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has supported UN Women since its founding in 2010. In addition, Germany is the organization’s second-largest donor. Furthermore, Bonn is home to more than 25 UN agencies, alongside federal authorities, ministries, and numerous scientific institutions and internationally active development organizations. Most of these institutions work on global sustainable development themes. Also based in Bonn is the UN Women German National Committee, whose president, Dr. Angela Langencamp, served as the master of ceremonies during the programme.

Welcoming UN Women to Bonn

Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as other state and UN representatives, cordially welcomed UN Women. Following a German tradition, the Mayor of Bonn presented bread and salt to Ms. Sima Bahous. She responded warmly: “We will make Bonn our home.” She also stayed for private photos and short conversations with participants including NGO representatives.

Local Partnerships and Peace Initiatives

Annegret Krueger and Heide Schütz, President and Honorary President of the Women’s Network for Peace and both IAW members, were invited to participate in the inauguration ceremony. They also attended the panel discussion on “Gender Equality in the Digital Age – Ending Digital Violence Against Women”. Later, they spoke with Ms. Sima Bahous and presented her with the English brochure of the project The Peace Trail Bonn. This is a joint project of the Women’s Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V., IAW Associate) and the Network of the German Peace Movement (Netzwerk Friedenskooperative e.V.), both of whose national offices are located in Bonn.

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Beijing +30:

Jill Follows — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 02:02:11 +0000

A CAUSE TO CELEBRATE AND
A CALL TO ACTION

On September 22, 2025, Annalena Baerbock, the fifth woman to hold the position of president of the UN General Assembly, delivered the keynote address at the UN’s celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Beijing Conference, formally known as the Fourth World Conference on Women.

President Baerbock praised the courage of those who fought tirelessly, before and during the Beijing Conference, for every phrase and every word in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was the pivotal international framework document that resulted from women’s efforts, and advocated for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

There is much to celebrate. The opening paragraphs of the Beijing Declaration state that the governments participating in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing are determined to advance the goals of equality, development and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity.

The Beijing Declaration was not the first time women wordsmiths resolved to secure non-discriminatory gendered language in UN documents. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), adopted at the United Nations on December 10,1948, is one example of women’s resolve. The final text states that the peoples of the United Nations are determined to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women. Behind the scenes Delegate Hansa Mehta (India), and Bodil Begtrup (Denmark), Chairman of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, fought for language in the final document that replaced the draft’s wording that all MEN must be free and equal in dignity and rights. Ms. Mehta and Ms. Begtrup challenged Eleanor Roosevelt, in her role as Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights, to remove the discriminatory language from the draft, stand up for language that reflected the title of the document – the Universal Declaration of HUMAN rights, and forever squelch the undercurrent of debate by many delegates that women were simply fretting over language for which they ought not to have concern. (Is it ironic or an oversight that these powerful women held the title of ChairMAN of their respective Commissions?)

Bodil Begtrup (Danmark)

Hansa Jivraj Mehta (India)

The Commission Chairman, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (right) with Mrs. Hansa Mehta of India.

Eleanor Roosevelt holding the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Photo taken by Sanja Jeraj during CSW68 at the UNHQ in New York

Front page of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights

Mrs. Roosevelt received a standing ovation in the UN when the Member States adopted the UDHR. Her remarks remind us that vigilance must not cease in the pursuit of fair, unbiased and inclusive language in all documents and statements by those people who hold positions of great authority and respect. I believe Mrs. Roosevelt’s remarks should have been challenged as an inaccurate account of the body of work by the Human Rights Commission. She stated: We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind. This declaration may well become the international Magna Carta for all men everywhere.

The UN calls on all, including civil society, to ACT to resolve infractions to fundamental human rights. We can do more than praise our predecessors for their courage. We can follow their example. It is time for NGOs to have a seat at the drafting table where legislation is being written, to chip away at the existing rules and regulations that overlook human rights in favor of masculine pronouns, and take the lead in writing opinion pieces in news outlets and online that raise awareness of the ubiquitous use of terms such as mankind and the brotherhood of man.

In his heyday, Elvis Presley sang that this is the time for a little less conversation, a little more action, please. We can start by taking inspiration from the work of a Virginia (USA) based campaign called the Virginia Law Audit Project.

Even though I have taken this song lyric out of context, I am mindful that those of you engaging in wordsmithing at the local level have already taken actions and have lots to share with our membership.

Please reply to this article and share your knowledge.

Jill Follows
IAW Representative at UNHQ New York

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Important Updates on the Preparations for the CSW69

IAW Communications Unit — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:11:50 +0000

Important Information

We are happy to provide you with important information on CSW69.

The Political Declaration Zero Draft is finalized and available for download. Important read.

IAW, Affiliates, Assosiates and Friends invite you to their Parallel Events. Find them listed.

For more information on CSW69 go to our page CSW69 – 2025.

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Written Statement for CSW69 is online

IAW Communications Unit — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 21:09:43 +0000

Important Paperwork for CSW69

IAW has published a written statement for the CSW69.

It was carefully drafted with the participants who will be attending CSW69 in person or online, based on the specified theme of CSW69.

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How to improve women’s economic opportunities

IAW Communications Unit — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 16:20:49 +0000

Oral intervention by Dr. Sibylle von Heydebrand at the UN Geneva

Dr Sibylle von Heydebrand at the Global Leaders Forum on economic opportunities for women

Globalization, technology and changes in trade policy are driving transformations in global value chains, impacting women in many ways.

In terms of the impact on women’s economic opportunities and employment, the transformation of global value chains is essentially creating numerous jobs for women and giving them the opportunity to develop their skills, leading to better employment opportunities and career advancement.

However, women in global value chains are often employed in low-skilled and low-paid positions, which reinforces gender inequality.

This brings us to the question of how we can improve women’s economic opportunities in the context of the transformation of global value chains.

The education of women and girls plays a crucial role in this process of improvement:

We need investment in women’s education and training.

We need to pay the necessary attention to girls’ education. In developing countries, for example, one in three girls do not complete elementary school, mostly because they spend eight times as long doing housework. As a result, almost twice as many girls as boys can neither read nor write.

Empowering women to participate in global value chains through improved education can not only increase economic opportunities for women, but also strengthen the economic power of the country as a whole. It also challenges traditional gender roles, which can contribute to a change in social norms and promote greater gender equality.

Global Leaders Forum on the 60th anniversary of UN Trade and Development UNCTAD

Under the title “Charting a New Development Course in a Changing World” the Global Leaders Forum took place from June 12-14, 2024 at the United Nations in Geneva and included dialogues with leading politicians, panel discussions and spotlight contributions.

It was opened by the UN Secretary-General and featured a program with high-level participation from heads of state, heads of institutions and leading economists and experts who engaged in debates on innovative approaches to tackling the challenges of sustainable development and strengthening UNCTAD’s role and influence.

The second day of the forum included a panel on “reshaping foreign direct investment and global value chains for development”. At this panel, the International Alliance of Women was one of two civil society organizations given the opportunity to speak in an oral intervention from the floor.

In the sixty years since UNCTAD was founded, the world economy has seen the rise of the Global South, a huge digital economy and a significant reduction in poverty and hunger. However, inequalities have increased, economic cycles have become more volatile and the threat of climate disasters has intensified. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the failure to recover inclusively, increase poverty and reduce Human Development Index scores.

UNCTAD was founded with the express goal ensuring that globalization leaves no one behind. Sixty years later, accomplishing this task requires a profound paradigm shift – in how we harness technology, how we finance trade and prepare for a global race for climate action, how we define and measure progress, and how we adapt and transform ourselves to meet and lead a changing world order.

Geneva, June 2024

Dr Sibylle von Heydebrand
IAW’s Main Representative to the UN Geneva
Representative of the IAW at the 60th anniversary of the UN Trade and Development UNCTAD

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IAW submitted an intervention to the WGDAWG

IAW Communications Unit — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:53:26 +0000

Positive evaluation and likely listing as best practice
(localisation of CEDAW)

The United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls (WGDAWG) came to UN Headquarters from Geneva, Switzerland to meet with UN Secretary General Guterres recently and pressed for closer cooperation, especially with its work on peacebuilding and economic status of women.

During its time in NYC the Working Group invited local NGOs to attend a consultation session. I was pleased to attend the session on behalf of the IAW and give a summary of the campaign to localize CEDAW throughout the US.

The chair of the Working Group asked for additional information and after reviewing the following submission, advised me that it will consider identifying the localizing CEDAW campaign as a best practice in its upcoming reports.

Jill Follows
IAW Representative at UN Headquarters NY

Editor's Note:

For more information about United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls please see the following websites:

United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures WGDAWG

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WGDAWG homepage
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UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2024

IAW Communications Unit — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:43:30 +0000

UNESCO invites nominations for the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2024

UNESCO invites individuals, civil society actors, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to nominate candidates for the 2024 UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.

Nominations for individuals who promote peace and tolerance worldwide are open until July 22, 2024, at midnight (GMT +2).

Annex I – Nomination Form

The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence is awarded biennially. Established in 1995, it honors individuals or institutions making significant contributions to tolerance and non-violence, in line with UNESCO’s principles. Named after Indian artist and diplomat Madanjeet Singh, the prize includes a monetary award of $100,000. It supports efforts fostering peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding among diverse cultures and communities.

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Rescuing United Nations’ SDG 11

IAW Communications Unit — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 22:06:43 +0000

A Summary of Pertinent Events
at the July 2023 UN High Level
Political Forum on Sustainable Development

I. Good News and Bad News about the Agenda 2030 Deadline

II. Synergy Between SDG 11 and Cities for CEDAW

A. Localization of SDG 11

B. Cities for CEDAW Exemplifies the Pillars for Acceleration of SDG 11

I. Good News and Bad News About the Agenda 2030 Deadline

What do you want first: the good news or the bad news? This was the question on the minds of many speakers at the start of the July 2023 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) at UN headquarters in New York City. Many speakers started with the bad news, including H.E. Maria-Francesca Spatolisano[i] and H.E. Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif[ii] who proclaimed that we were nowhere near reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their conclusion was reinforced by Dignitary Nikhil Seth[iii] who presented a doom and gloom scenario of a world that was planting the seeds of its own destruction by failing to fulfill the promise of the 2030 Agenda.[iv] Only 12% of the agenda’s targets are on track at the halfway point.

Indeed, the world has seen progress toward the goals reversed in many instances. Worldwide hunger and poverty increased over the prior four years. “Gender equality is some 300 years away.” [v] H.E. Seth spoke about the recent tectonic shifts in the world that had set us back: the shock of Covid-19; the brutal shock of war and conflict (primarily Russian Federation aggression against Ukraine), the likes of which have not been seen since WW II.

“The 2030 Agenda is an agenda of justice and equality, of inclusive, sustainable development, and human rights and dignity for all.”[vi] At the half-way point of Agenda 2030, most governments admit that

they need to step up to the plate, commit to bold strategies for implementation of the universal and inter-related goals, and focus on gender equality. [vii]

Rescuing the SDGs will require meaningful participation by all stakeholders. If we are to LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND[viii] then all stakeholders must commit time and support to the implementation of policies that keep people at the center. To paraphrase U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA 7^th District), the people who are closest to the pain need to be driving and informing the policymakers. Participation in policy making is a right of all people and a means to change the outcome, but participation should not be allotted to those who seek to participate for the mere sake of inclusion. Instead, participants need to devote time to listening sessions, storytelling and organizing to earn the trust of one another.[ix]

Business as usual will not get the job done. Instead, accelerated action is called for, including transformative actions for vulnerable populations such as gender equality initiatives. Gender equality will be a driver of sustainable development.[x] Equality initiatives uphold the inherent dignity of each human being[xi] and raise awareness of fundamental human rights. They promote solidarity over segmentation.[xii]

The good news is that localization of SDG implementation has proven to drive success. Localization of the SDGs uplifts the most vulnerable segments of the population. The ones who survive are the ones who adapt to change and not the strongest or most intelligent. [xiii]

Other good news is the world leader’s commitment to securing a massive surge in innovative and restructured global financing that will be directed to developing nations and trickle down to local communities. It is also thought that known debt reduction strategies will accelerate attainment of the SDGs. [xiv]

The September 2023 UN Summit for the Future is on the horizon. It will be a moment of peak political attention. World leaders will gather at the UN, with the intent of kickstarting Agenda 2030. We are at a moment of reckoning for the salvation of our planet. We want a world where mothers and babies are healthy, children learn skills for success, parents feed their children, we all breathe clean air and drink clean water, and enjoy our fundamental and universal human rights. [xv] It is time to put long-term thinking at the heart of sustainable development policies. We must fight back against the gravitational pull of short-term thinking. [xvi]

We already know how to achieve the SDGs and we have the tools to achieve the goals. We simply must secure the political will. Political will is urgently needed to combat the complex crises facing our world and rescue a sustainable future. [xvii] [xviii] How will WE make the moment count for gender equality? [xix]

The July 2023 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development focused on SDG’s 6,7,9,11, and 17. There is much to read and view (UN web tv) on the daily sessions for each one of these SDGs. However, this report focuses on SDG 11 and highlights selected HLPF sessions that seemed to suggest synergies between SDG 11 and the Cities for CEDAW movement. II. Synergy Between SDG 11 and Cities for CEDAW A. Localization of SDG 11 SDG 11 calls for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.[xx] It sets targets that community leaders strive to reach in areas such as affordable housing, safe roads and public transportation, involvement of civil society organizations in urban planning, safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage, reduction of economic loss due to natural disasters with a particular focus on vulnerable populations, air quality and waste management and, accessible green spaces. The three targets for SDG 11 that pay particular attention to the needs of women and other vulnerable groups address transportation, natural disaster recovery and accessible green spaces.[xxi]

The message of inclusion infiltrates many venues, including the July 2023 women’s FIFA World Cup Soccer stadium in Auckland, New Zealand which posted the rolling script “Unite for INCLUSION.”

Progress toward SDG 11 is too slow, and Member States will not reach the targets by 2030 if they continue with business as usual. Progress has been derailed by recurring natural disasters, political crises, and growing inequalities, to name only a few setbacks. Inequalities increased by 1.2% between 2017-2021 (the first such increase since a generation.) [xxii]

Local momentum must be leveraged to catalyze change and rescue Agenda 2030. Sixty-five percent of the targets around SDG 11 are dependent on local action. [xxiii] Local government action, in tandem with national government action, can make a significant impact on the achievement of the SDGs, especially SDG 11. The US is modernizing its local institutions to become more accessible, responsive, and accountable to communities.[xxiv]

The 2023 edition of the Global Sustainable Development Report will be released in September 2023. It is anticipated that the report will identify urban development as one of the six entry points through which we will accelerate progress toward the SDGs. [xxv]

Urban populations are expected to increase, and even higher percentages of people are expected to live in slums. As of 2020, only 56% of the world’s people had access to transportation/roads and less than 20% had access to dedicated open spaces.[xxvi] This is bad news for women’s empowerment. [xxvii] Girls and gender diverse individuals continue to be overlooked. [xxviii]

Localization of the SDGs is critical[xxix] and inspirational leadership is key to driving attainment of the SDG’s.[xxx] Who is better than cities to implement the SDGs? Cities create concrete solutions and are part of the solution to achieving the SDGs.[xxxi] City leaders are leading reforms, and the feminist movement is pushing the SDGs.[xxxii] Equity and women needs to be addressed seriously.[xxxiii] Local leaders from all private, public, and volunteer sectors have been likened to industrious hummingbirds.[xxxiv]

Community leaders continuously seek to prioritize constituent’s access to services and housing. They advocate for policies of inclusion over exclusion from services, resilience over vulnerability, prosperity over deprivation and stability over insecurity.[xxxv]

Cities are the epicenter of innovation. They test strategies on the ground and challenge one another to do better. The Global Mayor’s Challenge is one way that cities are recognized for thinking outside the box, accelerating recovery from COVID 19, and accelerating strategies to reach SDG 11. In 2022 an award was given to the city of Hermosillo, Mexico for its green employment program for women, who were negatively impacted by COVID 19 at a rate 2x higher than men.[xxxvi]

Data collection accelerates local action[xxxvii] and is essential to informed decision-making.[xxxviii] Urban data disaggregation is key to leaving no one behind and no place behind. Participation in decision-making by people of all genders, disabilities, ages, cultures, socioeconomic status, etc. are essential to change the discriminatory rhetoric that harms progress toward the goal.[xxxix]

Multinational groups and Member States support localization of the SDGs. The European Union calls for more LOCAL voluntary reviews. The UN Representative for ECOSOC in the Asia Pacific Region calls for local voluntary reviews that engage women and other marginalized groups. [xl] UN Habitat claims that humanity’s future is urban and that we need increased efforts to localize SDGs.[xli] The Council of Europe calls for localization for implementation of the SDGs because local initiatives uphold democracy, rule of law and human rights. [xlii]

Volunteers are powerful partners and an accelerating force in policy decision-making in many urban communities. Volunteers contribute to social cohesion and a stronger, more resilient community. Trust in government diminishes when community leadership fails to reach out to marginalized groups and excludes volunteers from decision-making. [xliii]

Communities that reduce inequalities show promise for all people in the community, especially regarding improved education and health laws, access to nondiscriminatory legal processes, equitable access to digital technology, and galvanized will to “leave no one behind.” [xliv] In many urban communities’ migrants and displaced persons comprise the largest minority group. Their voices are needed to develop an inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable city. [xlv] Women’s voices are heard in Canadian municipalities, partly because of its national initiative to increase women’s participation in municipal decision-making [xlvi] and, partly to effectuate an Early Learning and Childcare Initiative that ensures women have real choices about how and when to work. [xlvii] But alternative voices counter those of marginalized individuals and raise the specter of outdated and unjust beliefs.

By way of example, the speaker from C-FAM drew attention to the mural on the wall in the UN Security Council Chamber and argued that it stood for the principle that a family is only comprised of a man, woman, and their children.

The C-FAM speaker claimed that binding international human rights laws should not be interpreted to meet today’s inclusive and just societal norms, but rather followed by the exact text of the document. [xlviii]

A. Cities for CEDAW Exemplifies the Pillars for Acceleration of SDG 11

The three pillars underpinning acceleration for achieving the SDGs are: economic, environment and social justice reforms.[xlix] Cities for CEDAW provides advocacy tools and educational materials targeting these pillars. Cities for CEDAW mobilizes local political will to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. These initiatives are critical now. There has been backsliding on democracy and human rights and opportunities for women and girls over the past several years as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, political crises and lack of political will to make sure that no one is left behind. Gender equality targets set forth in SDG 5 are the farthest behind of all 17 SDGs. [l]

Cities for CEDAW adopts the premise of the HLPF on Sustainable Development that localization of SDG initiatives drives success. Cities for CEDAW highlights the prophetic words of Eleanor Roosevelt, the Chairperson of the first UN Human Rights Commission, who said “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home-so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in, the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” [li]

Cities for CEDAW recognizes that inclusive and sustainable development cannot be achieved without the full participation and empowerment of women. City and county resolutions and ordinances in support of CEDAW across the US call for gender equity studies to assess the degree of discrimination and exclusion of women from employment, decision-making bodies, scientific and technological advances, health care, housing, safe and affordable transportation, justice reforms reducing violence, green spaces, clean water, and sanitation management. Cities for CEDAW spotlights women and girls advocacy at the center of the green and blue movements.

Countries that focus on gender equality have stronger economies and stimulate economic growth, boost public and private sector performance, and reduce income inequality. [lii] Cities for CEDAW highlights this conclusion in its local educational and advocacy initiatives, most of which are driven by outstanding dedicated volunteers working in tandem and trust with elected leaders.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jill Follows

IAW UN Representative to the July 2023
High Level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development

All photos on this page attributed to Jill Follows

[i] Assistant Secretary General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs of UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/profiles/maria-francesca-spatolisano

[ii] https://www.google.com/search?q=maimunah+mohd+sharif&rlz=1C1JSBI_en&oq=maimunah+mohd+sharif

[iii] UN Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) https://unitar.org/about/unitar/executivedirector

[iv] 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

[v] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-04-25/secretary-generals-remarks-launch-the-special-edition-of-the-sustainable-development-goals-progress-report

[vi] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-04-25/secretary-generals-remarks-launch-the-special-edition-of-the-sustainable-development-goals-progress-report

[vii] UN Assistant Secretary General, Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

[viii] LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND is a universal value and transformative promise of the UN Sustainable Development Goals https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind

[ix] Maryann Broxton, Main Representative to the United Nations from the International Movement ATD Fourth Movement (All Together in Dignity-ATD) https://www.atd-fourthworld.org/

[x] Coordinator of 5 Regional Commissions for Sustainable Development and UN Representative ECOSOC for the Asia Pacific Region, 14^th and 15^th meetings of the HLPF Side Event-Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, July 18, 2023

[xi] USA representative statement during the High-Level segment of ECOSOC, 2023 Session on Tuesday July 11, 2023

[xii] Minoru Takada, Team Leader (Sustainable Energy), Division for Sustainable Development Goals, UN DESA https://sdgs.un.org/panelists/mr-minoru-takada-29255

[xiii] Confederation of NGOs of Rural India, statement at the 41^st ECOSOC General Session of the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development, July 20, 2023

[xiv] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-04-25/secretary-generals-remarks-launch-the-special-edition-of-the-sustainable-development-goals-progress-report

[xv] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-04-25/secretary-generals-remarks-launch-the-special-edition-of-the-sustainable-development-goals-progress-report

[xvi] Statement of Assistant Secretary General for Policy Coordination and Interagency Affairs ECOSOC,(Maria-Francesca Spatolisano) speaking at the 42^nd meeting of the High Level Segment of ECOSOC, 2023 Session, July 2023

[xvii] Statement on behalf of the Group of 77 (G77) and China by H.E. Mr. Alejandro Gil Fernandez, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Planning of the Republic of Cuba, at the General Debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Under the Auspices of ECOSOC ( July 17, 2023) https://www.g77.org/statement/getstatement.php?id=230717 ; statement supported by the Representative from Belize, speaking on behalf of the 14 Member States of the Caribbean area (CARICOM)

[xviii] Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism supports this concept in its statement to the 41^st ECOSOC General Session at the HLPF on Sustainable Development on July 20, 2023

[xix] H.E. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Former President of the 73^rd UN General Assembly and Executive Director of GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion, https://gwlvoices.com/ ,

Co-chair Coalition for the UN We Need, https://c4unwn.org/ ,

at the HLPF Session Wednesday July 12, 2023 “Toward the Summit of the Future: Aligning Agenda 2030 to Agenda 2063 https://www.un.org/pga/73/about/biography/

[xx] https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11

[xxi] https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11

[xxii] Remarks of Executive Director of UN Human Settlement Program at the July 2023 HLPF 6^th Local and Regional Government Forum

[xxiii] H.E. Ms. Amelia Saiz, Secretary General UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments) Statement during the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development Side Event-Rescuing SDG 11 for a Resilient Urban Planet on Friday July 14, 2023, https://uclg.org/

[xxiv] Delegate from the USA speaking on July 18, 2023 at the 39^th Meeting of ECOSOC Ministerial Meeting on the HLPF for Sustainable Development

[xxv] Remarks of UN Deputy Secretary General at the 6^th Local and Regional Government Forum convened during the July 2023 HLPF

[xxvi] Speaker representing the Statistics Division (UN DESA) during the HLPF session on Thursday July 13, 2023 on SDG 11

[xxvii] Representative from SLOCAT (the partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport) during the HLPF session on SDG 11 on Thursday July 13, 2023. https://slocat.net/about-slocat/

[xxviii] Women’s Major Group, statement at the 41^st ECOSOC General Session at the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development, July 20, 2023

[xxix] Ambassador Njambi Kinyunga, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the UN speaking at the HLPF session on Wednesday July 12, 2023, on “Toward the Summit of the Future: Aligning Agenda 2030 to Agenda 2063.”

[xxx] Chiagozi Udeh, Member of the African Union ECOSOC Infrastructure and Energy Cluster Committee speaking at the HLPF session on Wednesday July 12, 2023, on “Toward the Summit of the Future: Aligning Agenda 2030 to Agenda 2063.” https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/profile/chiagozie-udeh/

[xxxi] Representative from Switzerland speaking at the 39^th General Session of the July 2023 HLPF on Sustainable Development, July 18, 2023

[xxxii] Dr. Soon-Young Yoon, UN representative of the International Alliance of Women, speaking at the HLPF session on Wednesday July 12, 2023, on “Toward the Summit of the Future: Aligning Agenda 2030 to Agenda 2063. https://womenalliance.org/author/soonyoungyoon/

[xxxiii] Ms. Amelia Saiz, Secretary General UCLG, UN HLPF on Sustainable Development, Side Event on Rescuing SDG 11 for a Resilient Urban Planet, Friday July 14, 2023

[xxxiv] The female ruby-throat hummingbird builds the nest and feeds the babies on her own. https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-hummingbirds/the-life-of-a-female-hummingbird/

[xxxv] Comments by the representative of UN Habitat at the HLPF side event on Thursday July 13, 2023

[xxxvi] https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/mayors-challenge/2022/hermosillo-mexico ; https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/mayors-challenge.

[xxxvii] Comments from the speakers from the World Blind Union and Sweden during the HLPF side event on SDG 11 on Thursday July 13, 2023.

[xxxviii] Ms. Aissata M.B. Camara, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Chief of Staff NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs statement at the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development Side Event – Rescuing SDG 11 for a Resilient Urban Planet on Friday July 14, 2023

[xxxix] Representative from Thailand during the HLPF side event on SDG 11 on Thursday July 13, 2023.

[xl] UN Representative for ECOSOC for the Asia Pacific Region, statement at the 14^th and 15^th meetings of the July 2023 HLPF-Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

[xli] Representative from Poland, speaking on behalf of the 50 Member States affiliated with UN Habitat, at the HLPF side event on SDG 11 on Thursday July 13, 2023.

[xlii] Representative from the Council of Europe during the July 2023 HLPF session of the 6^th Local and Regional Government Forum

[xliii] Representative from UNV (United Nations Volunteers) during the HLPF side event on SDG 11 on Thursday July 13, 2023.

[xliv] Representative from Cuba speaking on behalf of Pathfinders at the July 2023 HLPF General Session on Monday July 17, 2023

[xlv] Representative of the Volunteers Stakeholder Group during the HLPF side event on SDG 11 on Thursday July 13, 2023.

[xlvi] https://fcm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/resources/tool/increasing-womens-participation-in-municipal-decision-making-strategies-for-more-inclusive-canadian-communities-wilg.pdf

[xlvii] Canadian Minister of Families, Children and Social Development speaking at the July 2023 HLPF General Session on Sustainable Development on July 17, 2023

[xlviii] C-FAM representative, 41st General Session ECOSOC, UN HLPF General Debate July 20, 2023

[xlix] International Labor Organization Statement at the 41^st Meeting of ECOSOC General Session at the UN HLPF July 2023, Thursday July 20, 2023

[l] Statement of Iceland’s Representative to the 39^th ECOSOC General Meeting at the July 2023 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on July 18, 2023.

[li] https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/10-inspiring-eleanor-roosevelt-quotes/

[lii] Statement of Finland’s Representative to the 38^th ECOSOC General Meeting at the July 2023 High Level Policial Forum on Sustainable Development on July 17, 2023

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Road to the Summit: A Discussion Series, Session 10

IAW Communications Unit — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:36:52 +0000

A Tale of Two Summits

Facilitators:
Bahá'í International Community; Coalition of the UN We Need; and Stimson Center
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Hybrid event: In person; Virtual via Zoom

Two global summits will be held on sustainable development over the course of the next fourteen months. Both summits will prioritize strengthening the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first summit, “SDG Summit”, takes place on September 21, 2023. It marks the midway point to the deadline set for reaching the mission of Agenda 2030 and its 17 SDGs.

It signifies a new phase of turbocharged change and actions needed to reach the SDGs. The “SDG Summit” will hand off the baton to the “Summit for the Future”^[1] which takes place one year later, on September 22-23, 2024. It is hoped that the second summit will reenergize the SDGs by breathing new life into the agenda.

Speakers at today’s discussion distinguish the two summits. The first summit focuses on identifying WHAT has been achieved to date. The second summit focuses on HOW we create systems change by strengthening multilateral cooperation.

Today’s session (the 10^th in a continuing series) titled “A TALE OF TWO SUMMITS” was co-facilitated by the Bahá’í International Community,^[2] Coalition for the UN We Need^[3], and the Stimson Center^[4]. More than 150 viewers participated virtually, and 50 individuals attended in person at the Bahá’í headquarters in New York City. The discussion highlighted the coherence between the two summits and raised awareness of the SDG Political Declaration which is the anticipated actionable and flexible outcome document of the “SDG Summit” in September 2023.

Today’s meeting co-facilitator, H.E. Ms. Antje Leendertse, Permanent UN Representative of Germany, emphasized the need for local cooperation to achieve the SDGs. The ingredients in her new recipe for attainment of the SDGs include trust, cooperation, and transparency. She acknowledged the participation of civil society in discussions to date and called for a follow-up UN Civil Society Conference in 2024. She referenced the Interim People’s Pact for the Future^[5]. It identifies seven thematic areas for further discussion at UN gatherings: development of the SDGs; environmental governance; human rights and participation; the global digital compact; the global economic and financial architecture; peace and security; UN and global governance innovation.

Specific discussion addressed establishing accountability and monitoring measures, accelerating reforms of global financing, sharing technological advances with all people, aligning any subsequent unilateral trade agreements with the UN Charter, respecting diversity, and securing solidarity in order to prevail in achieving sustainable development for our planet.

Scaling up implementation of the SDG’s requires stakeholders to look at new approaches to reaching the SDG’s. Jake Sherman, US Mission to the UN, suggested we investigate and leverage the authority granted to the UN Secretary General by the UN Charter as well as mandates from UN Member States. Mr. Sherman also suggested that stakeholders may derive a boost from a review of ongoing processes, such as the 2025 Peacebuilding Review and climate architecture measures. He also emphasized the importance of civil society inclusion to assure implementation of the SDGs.

As the session wound down, a youthful participant asked for increased participation of young people at the Summits. She pointed to SDG 5 (gender equality) as an example of a goal that already had targets and indicators identified. She justified an increased focus on youth participation at the expense of gender participation because women’s empowerment policy was already written down on paper. The opposition statement came a few minutes later when the German Ambassador, H.E. Leendertse remarked that the targets and indicators for SDG 5 are unmet and that it is especially important to boost efforts globally to achieve SDG 5, as it is the farthest behind of all the SDG’s.

Significant attention was paid to a note posted by IAW President Alison Brown in the online chat box. The note read: “I would be content if there were not a single new declaration until 2030 but only detailed factual reports on progress and activity towards the realization of those promises made heretofore.” The chat box note was read aloud by the session leader and shortly thereafter received affirmation by Georgios Kostakos (FOGGS) Executive Director Foundation for Global Governance and Sustainability who called on persons to “put all energy into coherent implementation.”

Closing Remarks by H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces implored stakeholders to build trust at the summits, raise awareness of the benefit of multilateralism and keep political steam going to move us closer to a more sustainable future.^[6]

Jill Follows
IAW Representative at UN Headquarters

IAW Attendees at the virtual session: 
Alison Brown, Jill Follows, Dr. Ernestine Ngo Melha in her capacity as President of Association d’Aide à l’Education de l’Enfant Handicapé, an IAW Associate

Photos attributed to J. Follows

^[1]https://www.un.org/en/common-agenda/summit-of-the-future/
^[2]https://www.bic.org/
^[3]https://c4unwn.org/
^[4]https://www.stimson.org/
^[5] https://c4unwn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Interim-Peoples-Pact-for-the-Future-Compressed.pdf
^[6] https://www.un.org/pga/73/about/biography/

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