IOGT International
IOGT International Statement
First informal consultations with stakeholders within the Consultations on the Follow-up and
Review of the 2030 Agenda at the Global Level
Themes and thematic reviews:
It has been decided that the HLPF will have a thematic focus reflecting the integration of the
three dimensions of sustainable development, while also conducting thematic reviews of the
SDGs. What would be important to keep in mind when deciding on themes? Which kinds of
themes would allow the HLPF to carry out meaningful reviews of the SDGs?
Dear Excellences, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the members of IOGT International, I thank you for the
opportunity to address you today and to share some of our insights and
experiences with you concerning the themes for meaningful reviews of the
SDGs.
In Rio 2012 at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development the United
Nations system was requested to mainstream the economic, social and
environmental dimensions of sustainable development throughout its work.
Ever since, we have seen some promising best practices, such as the UN
Interagency Task Force on NCDs and the UNDP, WHO joint program to
address interpersonal violence, the harmful use of alcohol and infectious
diseases comprehensively.
In that context, we deem it absolutely essential to keep in mind when
deciding review themes the issue of cross-cutting risk factors that pose
formidable obstacles to achieving the SDGs.
These cross-cutting risk factors are such that burden a significant number of
SDGs. And they are such that negatively impact all three dimensions of
sustainable development.
Let me give you an example of a cross-cutting risk factor that we tackle in our
work to promote sustainable development in communities around the world:
the harmful use of alcohol.
Harm caused by alcohol poses paramount obstacles to the achievement of
12 out of 17 SDGs. And alcohol harm has a negative impact on the
economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development.
Evidence shows, and I’d be honored to share it with you, that alcohol harm
has negative impact on economic productivity in the workplace and on
economic sustainability of societies at large; alcohol harm has emerged as an
obstacle to environmental sustainability for example considering water and
food security in communities and regions of different parts of the world, both
in the global south and north. Socially, alcohol is the most harmful drug, killing
one human being every ten seconds, globally.
Such a risk factor cutting across the 12 out of 17 SDGs would be an important
review theme. Addressing cross-cutting risk factors would have a number of
benefits:
1) Provide profound insight into how synergies and created opportunities
for comprehensive and cost-effective measures have been harnessed
on all levels.
2) Allow for better understanding and the potential elimination of counterproductive
measures and avert unintended or conflicting impacts, and
outcomes.
3) Facilitate exchange and boost collaboration across policy areas by
highlighting best practices and success stories.
4) Analyze how the United Nations system and its entities are optimizing
their work according to principles of integration, including breaking
silos, enhancing horizontal coordination and coordination across
sectors.
First informal consultations with stakeholders within the Consultations on the Follow-up and
Review of the 2030 Agenda at the Global Level
Themes and thematic reviews:
It has been decided that the HLPF will have a thematic focus reflecting the integration of the
three dimensions of sustainable development, while also conducting thematic reviews of the
SDGs. What would be important to keep in mind when deciding on themes? Which kinds of
themes would allow the HLPF to carry out meaningful reviews of the SDGs?
Dear Excellences, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the members of IOGT International, I thank you for the
opportunity to address you today and to share some of our insights and
experiences with you concerning the themes for meaningful reviews of the
SDGs.
In Rio 2012 at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development the United
Nations system was requested to mainstream the economic, social and
environmental dimensions of sustainable development throughout its work.
Ever since, we have seen some promising best practices, such as the UN
Interagency Task Force on NCDs and the UNDP, WHO joint program to
address interpersonal violence, the harmful use of alcohol and infectious
diseases comprehensively.
In that context, we deem it absolutely essential to keep in mind when
deciding review themes the issue of cross-cutting risk factors that pose
formidable obstacles to achieving the SDGs.
These cross-cutting risk factors are such that burden a significant number of
SDGs. And they are such that negatively impact all three dimensions of
sustainable development.
Let me give you an example of a cross-cutting risk factor that we tackle in our
work to promote sustainable development in communities around the world:
the harmful use of alcohol.
Harm caused by alcohol poses paramount obstacles to the achievement of
12 out of 17 SDGs. And alcohol harm has a negative impact on the
economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development.
Evidence shows, and I’d be honored to share it with you, that alcohol harm
has negative impact on economic productivity in the workplace and on
economic sustainability of societies at large; alcohol harm has emerged as an
obstacle to environmental sustainability for example considering water and
food security in communities and regions of different parts of the world, both
in the global south and north. Socially, alcohol is the most harmful drug, killing
one human being every ten seconds, globally.
Such a risk factor cutting across the 12 out of 17 SDGs would be an important
review theme. Addressing cross-cutting risk factors would have a number of
benefits:
1) Provide profound insight into how synergies and created opportunities
for comprehensive and cost-effective measures have been harnessed
on all levels.
2) Allow for better understanding and the potential elimination of counterproductive
measures and avert unintended or conflicting impacts, and
outcomes.
3) Facilitate exchange and boost collaboration across policy areas by
highlighting best practices and success stories.
4) Analyze how the United Nations system and its entities are optimizing
their work according to principles of integration, including breaking
silos, enhancing horizontal coordination and coordination across
sectors.
Stakeholders