Major Group: NGOs
11:30-13:00 Mainstreaming SDGs into national policies, plans and strategies, and integrating the three dimensions of sustainable development
My name is Ngozika Ebere-Okoye, the Executive Secretary of Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation. I am speaking on behalf of the NGO Major Group, on the importance of mainstreaming. Mainstreaming is important to us, partly because it is the way to include environmental concerns into governance. If planetary boundaries no longer support human life, we do not have an economy or society.
So how do we go about mainstreaming SDGs into national policies?
One, as this is a document among Member States, the responsibility for implementing, especially mainstreaming the SDGs is really with you, the governments. We want to be your partners and give support, but hope to see that you incorporate the SDGs in your National Development Plan.
Two, due to the holistic nature of SDGs, Inter-ministerial collaboration is the way to go about mainstreaming; all ministries should be involved on the highest level of national decision making to ensure transformation of the whole national system. We are pleased that governments are already doing this, but we encourage even more collaboration among ministries.
Three, In the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), it was already agreed to have national advisory councils for Sustainable Development, with full participation of all stakeholders. We want to see this agreement fulfilled in all countries. An indicator that says how well governments are working with civil society could help this process. Civil society participation should be scientifically measured and be part of the national voluntary reports.
Fourth, the SDGs should be streamlined way beyond the UN System. When talking about policy coherence, it is about aligning the SDGs also in the global economy and the private sector. For example, the IMF and World Bank should participate in the streamlining process.
As you can see from our enthusiastic participation, Civil Society has a lot of ambition; we want to be your partners in that. So our question is, in mainstreaming the agenda how do you see your government transforming what you are doing to meet the SDGs?
My name is Ngozika Ebere-Okoye, the Executive Secretary of Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation. I am speaking on behalf of the NGO Major Group, on the importance of mainstreaming. Mainstreaming is important to us, partly because it is the way to include environmental concerns into governance. If planetary boundaries no longer support human life, we do not have an economy or society.
So how do we go about mainstreaming SDGs into national policies?
One, as this is a document among Member States, the responsibility for implementing, especially mainstreaming the SDGs is really with you, the governments. We want to be your partners and give support, but hope to see that you incorporate the SDGs in your National Development Plan.
Two, due to the holistic nature of SDGs, Inter-ministerial collaboration is the way to go about mainstreaming; all ministries should be involved on the highest level of national decision making to ensure transformation of the whole national system. We are pleased that governments are already doing this, but we encourage even more collaboration among ministries.
Three, In the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), it was already agreed to have national advisory councils for Sustainable Development, with full participation of all stakeholders. We want to see this agreement fulfilled in all countries. An indicator that says how well governments are working with civil society could help this process. Civil society participation should be scientifically measured and be part of the national voluntary reports.
Fourth, the SDGs should be streamlined way beyond the UN System. When talking about policy coherence, it is about aligning the SDGs also in the global economy and the private sector. For example, the IMF and World Bank should participate in the streamlining process.
As you can see from our enthusiastic participation, Civil Society has a lot of ambition; we want to be your partners in that. So our question is, in mainstreaming the agenda how do you see your government transforming what you are doing to meet the SDGs?