UNCTAD XV: Achieving prosperity for all after COVID-19

Co-organised by the Third World Network; the Civil Society Financing for Development (FfD) Group;
Our World Is Not for Sale; and the Third World Network – Africa

Join the Director of UNCTAD’s Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, Richard Kozul-Wright, to discuss the recent flagship Trade and Development Report 2020: From global pandemic to prosperity for all: avoiding another lost decade.

Thursday, January 21st, 23:00 Manila / 20:30 New Delhi / 18:00 Nairobi / 16:00 Geneva / 16:00 Lagos / noon Sao Paulo / 11:00 Bridgetown / 10am Washington, DC

Register here!

Covid-19 has served as a reminder that we live in a closely interdependent world that brings opportunities but also carries dangers. It has, just as importantly, shed light on a whole series of pre-existing conditions – from heightened inequality, to unsustainable debt and rampant environmental destruction – that were left unaddressed after the Global Financial Crisis.

The most recent Trade and Development Report argues that the global economic crisis caused by Covid-19 throws up a stark choice: continue misguided policy choices or collectively chart a new path that leads from recovery to a more resilient, more equal and more environmentally sustainable world in line with the ambition of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Neither path is preordained. Building a better world is a matter of conviction and collective action. The lives of future generations and of the planet itself will depend on the choices we all take over the coming months.

Kozul-Wright will share with civil society leaders from around the world some of the policy prescriptions recommended in the TDR, including:

· Increased government spending including a big public investment push into cleaner energy, environmental protection, sustainable transport systems and the care economy, including through industrial policies;

· Coordinated macroeconomic expansion focused on job creation and higher wages;

· Labour market regulation that supports employees’ compensation;

· Expanded use of Special Drawing Rights to boost global liquidity;

· Financial support for boosting the health emergency response to COVID-19 in developing countries through a Marshall Plan for Health Recovery;

· A Global Debt Authority to stop a repeat liquidity crises from turning into serial sovereign defaults;

This webinar is being held in the context of the XV Conference of UNCTAD which is scheduled for October 3-8, 2021 in Bridgetown, Barbados, which will set the mandate of UNCTAD for the next four years on the interrelated issues of trade, development, finance, technology, industrial policy, debt, investment, e-commerce, and more.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN.

Human Development Report 2020: Pre-Launch Special Briefing

COVID-19 and its unprecedented effects on human development are a wake-up call to the potential consequences for people’s wellbeing from the relentless pressure we are placing on nature and the planet. This advance briefing on the 2020 Human Development Report will delve into these issues and discuss how to rekindle our relationship with nature and improve people’s lives today and in the future, in balance with the planet.

Please Note: This briefing is by invitation only and the content shared is under strict embargo until 9am EST on 15th December 2020

Introduction:

Oli Henman, Global Coordinator, Action for Sustainable Development
Marina Ponti, Director, UN SDG Action Campaign

Opening Remarks:

Ulrika Modéer, UN Assistant SecretaryGeneral, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy Advance Briefing on the 2020 HDR
Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office, UNDP

Questions from the floor
Closing Remarks

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.

2030 Agenda Partnership Accelerator

The 2030 Agenda Partnership Accelerator webinar series are short (75 mins) online workshops seeking to demonstrate how partnerships are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The workshops are open to all stakeholders.

The first webinar in the series will explore the challenges – and successes – in being institutionally fit for purpose to partner effectively to implement the SDGs, from the perspective of diverse stakeholders and sectors (governments, UN entities, civil society and business).

Actors in different sectors often struggle with the same obstacles and challenges that can derail successful partnering efforts. These include institutional dimensions and challenges, such as rigid procurement processes, lack of strategic vision and leadership for developing effective ways of partnering, amongst others.

Participants will be able to learn about key aspects for organizations to be equipped for developing partnerships and build recognition of and appreciation of the institutional capacities required for effective collaboration.

Speakers include UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UN Development Coordination Office, World Vision International, The Partnering Initiative + governments, business, and civil society.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccKTGcnvniKtJsvj-e_A23x1UQUdLQzhTWko2SkY2WFRDTDFNODExUFlUSS4u

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development – New York, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

[UN Observance] International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Annually on February 11, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. To learn more about why inclusion and gender equity are important in STEM, and to stay apprised of this year’s events, visit un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

[UN Observance] World AIDS Day

Every year on December 1, the United Nations commemorates World AIDS Day. This year, the onset of COVID-19 has shone a glaring light on how much works remains to be done when it comes to saving lives threatened by deadly diseases. To learn more about World AIDS Day and how you can help end the stigma, check out who.int/westernpacific/news/events/world-aids-day.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com.

[deadline to participate] 31st UNGA Special Session

Dear colleagues,

As you are aware, the General Assembly decided to host its 31^st Special session in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on 3 and 4 December 2020. The modalities of participation for the session are established in resolution 75/4.

In order to participate in the Special Session, the following categories of relevant entities not in consultative status with ECOSOC must express their interest and apply for special accreditation.

Non-governmental organizations
Civil society organizations
Academic institutions
Private sector organizations

The deadline for the expression of interest to participate in the Special Session is set for 16 November 2020, s. Accreditation is now open at the following link: https://indico.un.org/event/35461/

As per resolution 75/4, stakeholder applications will be reviewed by Member States. Accredited entities will be informed and receive further instruction to finalize their registration, as representatives will need to register individually to secure their participation in the event.

Please feel free to share this information with interested partners and colleagues.

Kind regards,

OHCHR New York Office

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org.

[#GGKP webinar] Green Jobs and a Just Transition: Country Perspectives from Argentina, South Africa and ILO

Please join #GGKP for an important and timely webinar,

Green jobs and a just transition: Country perspectives from Argentina, South Africa and ILO

Why must green jobs be central in national recovery strategies?

What sectors are leading in green jobs creation? What are some new green job profiles?

How can governments support workers during a green transition? What are key social protections as job profiles change or shift to new green sectors?

How can businesses lead in the green jobs transition, and how can going green make a business more competitive?

On 18 November (2-3:30pm CET), join the GGKP for a discussion on how governments and business can lead a just transition to greener economies featuring country perspectives from Argentina and South Africa. The discussion will be moderated by Moustapha Kamal Gueye, Coordinator of the Green Jobs Programme at the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The ILO Guidelines for a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all provide a policy framework for inclusive, employment-centered green transitions for workers, enterprises and communities. This webinar is the third in a five-part #GGKPwebinar series held under the project, Green Economy Transformation in Cooperation with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) – Synergies between low-emission pathways and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through its International Climate Initiative (IKI), and is implemented jointly by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and UN Environment.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-New York, please visit ngocsd-ny.org.

Intersessional Meeting of the COP to the UN Convention Against Corruption: Asset Recovery

Intersessional meeting of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption: Thematic focus on asset recovery (Vienna)

This meeting is second of five preparatory meetings to be held before the Special Session of the General Assembly Against Corruption.

Tentative timeline available here: https://ungass2021.unodc.org/uploads/ungass2021/documents/session1/UNGASS2021_tentative_timeline.pdf

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CoNGO Notes: For more information the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

[UN observance] World Diabetes Day

The United Nations marks World Diabetes Day annually on November 14. To learn more about how diabetes affects the world and how to participate in this year’s events, please visit un.org/en/events/diabetesday.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, please email the chair at marjones@rr.nyc.com.

[last day to RSVP] Technological and Science-based Solutions to the COVID-19 Challenge

“Technological and Science-based Solutions to the COVID-19 Challenge”

Part of the UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue Series

Thursday, 29 October 2020
10-11:30 a.m. EDT

Please join UN DESA on 29 October for a conversation with global leaders in science and technology that will assess the science-based policies and innovations that have developed during the pandemic, identifying good practices as well as areas where work is still needed. The event will feature a broad panel discussion with experts, followed by regional breakout sessions led by UN DESA (English) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (Arabic). The event will discuss these questions, among others:

What are concrete examples of innovations that have helped people or institutions deal with the effects of COVID-19?
How can the international community help to ensure that research and innovations related to COVID-19 are accessible to all?
What needs to be done to better engage society, counter misinformation and overcome apathy towards science in policy-making?

Register here by 27 October 2020: bit.ly/tech29oct

More information: bit.ly/hlab2020

The event is free and open to all, and will be streamed live on UN DESA’s Facebook page.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com.

private sector