Background
Launch of the Thematic Reports by the Climate and SDG Synergy Expert Group
Side event at the UNFCCC sixtieth session of the Subsidiary Body (SB60)
11 June 2024, 13:15 – 14:30 (CEST) | Bonn, Germany
Join us in Bonn for the launch of the four Thematic Reports by the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy. Building on the success of the 2023 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, the 2024 edition of the report is set to be released in view of pivotal 2024 milestones. Comprised of four thematic reports and a final synthesis report, the new edition aims to accelerate action on SDGs and climate through four key entry points: policy frameworks; knowledge and data; a proposed new financial system; and cities. The event in Bonn will launch the findings of the four thematic reports, laying the groundwork for the synthesis report to be released in July.
The reports launch will be held during a joint event between UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). For more information, see concept note here.
Context
As we stand at the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, the global community is presented with a pivotal moment to shape the future. The Joint Liaison Group of the Rio conventions’s secretariats (CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC), following several COP decisions is calling for more synergies between Rio conventions. The Secretary-General’s call for action resounds louder than ever, with the recognition that “Climate action is the 21st century’s greatest opportunity to propel all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forward.” A UNEA-6 resolution encourages “Member States to promote synergies, cooperation and collaboration for the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other relevant environmental instruments and to enhance collaboration when implementing their commitments under the Agreements”. This era demands bold visions and decisive actions to navigate through current challenges, seize new opportunities, and navigate evolving geopolitical and economic landscapes.
Synergistic action stands as our solution to address the root causes, not just the symptoms, of our shared interconnected challenges. From enhancing food security to adapting to climate change, protecting biodiversity and eradicating poverty, this moment calls for transformative approaches that transcend traditional silos and forge new alliances.
In response to the Secretary-General’s plea for integrated action, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Rio conventions secretariats alongside their partners, have been at the forefront, convening annual global dialogues. These gatherings serve as a platform to elevate the urgency of this critical juncture and ignite meaningful discussions that transcend borders and disciplines. The establishment of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies in 2023 marked a significant milestone. This group was tasked with developing a series of analytical pieces to unravel the complexities of our interconnected challenges. The first report, “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis: Tackling Climate and SDG Action Together,” launched in September 2023, was the first step towards identifying key knowledge gaps, political hurdles, institutional barriers, and economic and financial challenges that must be overcome. Building on the success of the 2023 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy, the 2024 edition of the report is set to be released in view of pivotal 2024 milestones. Comprised of four thematic reports and a final synthesis report, the new edition aims to accelerate action on SDGs and climate through four key entry points: policy frameworks; knowledge and data; a proposed new financial system; and cities. This event in Bonn will launch the findings of the four thematic reports, laying the groundwork for the synthesis report to be released in July.
Meanwhile the Rio conventions secretariats are joining forces to develop a joint capacity-building programme that will help countries and experts to better seize synergies across the Rio conventions. More synergies mean enhanced action where needed to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
