1st South-East Asia Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals

September 30, 2019

Maximizing the use of tools at the disposal of parliamentarians to ensure that no-one is left behind in the design and implementation of actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda

  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out a ground-breaking and transformational vision for a more inclusive, prosperous and equal world on a healthier planet. Implementation of its ambitious goals and targets will require comprehensive actions at the global, regional and sub-regional levels, as indicated in General Assembly Resolution 70/1 on Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 


The 2030 Agenda applies to all countries and to all people. Every country has agreed to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), monitor their progress, and regularly report on successes and challenges. Effective follow-up and review across each level is, therefore, critical. The follow-up and review processes are centered around accountability, and parliaments, due to their core institutional functions, are a pivotal source and locus of accountability for the 2030 Agenda. As elected representatives of the people, parliamentarians have critical roles to play both in driving forward and reviewing the implementation of the SDGs which give them the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to improving people’s lives and the health of the planet. Implementing the SDG framework requires engaged and committed parliamentarians in order to enable, empower, and encourage governments to act, while holding them accountable to their commitments.  A key aspect of such accountability is maximizing the use of tools at the disposal of parliamentarians to ensure that no-one is left behind in the design and implementation of actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda, and that such actions reach first those most at risk of being left behind.

More information on the UNESCAP website


Objectives
The main objective of the 1st South-East Asia Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is to offer Members of Parliament (MPs) from South-East Asian countries the opportunity to share their respective parliaments’ experiences and perspectives on following up on and oversighting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The format of the one-day meeting will also allow MPs to learn about different parliamentary approaches, achievements and challenges in this regard from their peers.

Furthermore, MPs will have the opportunity to attend the 3rd South-East Asia Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals that will deliberate on the theme of “Accelerating progress towards SDGs in Asia and the Pacific” immediately after the meeting. Participation in these back-to-back events will enable MPs to be better equipped to follow up on the Forum’s conclusions and recommendations.

Participants
Two Members of Parliament nominated by the Speaker of Parliament from each country in the South-East Asia sub-region.

Duration and venue
The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 02 October 2019 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Organization 
The meeting will be conducted in English and all documentation will be in English.
The meeting will include panel discussions on key topics. Depending on the session focus, presentations maybe delivered by resource persons and experts.

Expected outcome
The outcome of the meeting will consist of a summary of proceedings of the key topics and issues raised by participants, as well as training materials and presentation. The materials will be sent to participants and be made available on the ESCAP and UNDP websites.

About the organizers
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the largest implementer of parliamentary support projects in the world, working with more than 65 national parliaments. UNDP supports parliaments at both the national and sub-national levels to fulfill their mandate to follow-up and review the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and implementation of the SDGs. 
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) serves as the United Nations’ regional hub promoting cooperation among countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. Mandated to lead the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda at the regional level, the Commission’s strategic focus is to deliver on the latter by promoting regional cooperation and integration through effective multi-stakeholder partnerships with governments, parliaments, civil society, businesses and others.