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Report on the 2021 Regional Forums on Sustainable Development A place in the world to build forward better
Reproduction Contributing authors
This publication may be reproduced in whole or Patti Londoño, Senior Researcher
in part, and in any form, for educational or non- Celina Manso, Researcher
profit purposes without special permission from
the copyright holder, provided the source is
cited. Cepei would appreciate receiving a copy Edition
of any publication that uses this publication as a Alexandra Roldán Cruz
source. It is forbidden to use this publication for
resale or any other commercial purpose without
prior written permission from Cepei Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Cepei partners in the five UN
regions for their valuable comments and suggestions.
Suggested citation
Cepei (2021). Report on the 2021 Regional
Forums on Sustainable Development. A place in Design and layout
the world to build forward. Bogota: Cepei David Vargas
Main author Credits
PhD Javier Surasky, Program Officer Governance © Maps, photographs and illustrations as
and Finance for Sustainable Development specified within.
Table of Contents Introduction 1 Brief approach to regional forums on sustainable development 3 Analysis of the 2021 regional forums on sustainable development 8 Core ideas 8 The preparatory events 10 Official activities 15 The United Nations development system reform in the regional forums 21 Conclusions 25 Annex 28
Tables and Graphics
2030 Agenda monitoring and follow-up system:
Graphic 1.
Position of the regions
Graphic 2. United Nations Economic Commissions and regional forums
Graphic 3. “Building Back Better” in the Clinton Report (2006) and the Sendai Framework (2015)
Side events included in the official sites of the 2021 RFSD, according to the
Graphic 4.
participation of the UN system institutions in their organization
Graphic 5. Relationship between side events in the RFSD (except Arab Countries) and SDGs
Official events (preparatory and during the forums) by sustainable
Graphic 6.
development dimension
Non-governmental actors engagement in the different regional forums
Graphic 7.
on sustainable development: participation activities
Boxes
Box 1. Overlapping of regions
Box 2. The value of inclusion in the regional forums: An experience at the African 2021 forum
Box 3. Issue-based CoalitionsREPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
The report on the regional forums on sustainable The chapter on the follow-up and review of the 2030
development (RFSD) analyzes the work carried Agenda highlights the decision to create a solid,
out in each of these five dialogue, exchange and voluntary, effective, participatory, transparent
joint learning scenarios between countries and and integrated framework. This framework
non-state actors in each region, following the should be applied at the national, regional and
complex structure represented by the United global levels to promote accountability, support
Nations Regional Commissions. effective international cooperation, encourage
the exchange of good practices and contribute to
The focus of this document is given by the role mutual learning. In addition, it should be a catalyst
played by the RFSD in the implementation, of support to overcome common challenges and
monitoring and follow-up scheme of the 2030 detect new problems.
Agenda for Sustainable Development, which
includes explicit references to the regional Paragraph 74 then sets out the principles that
work in 14 of its 91 paragraphs (about 15%). should guide the operation of the monitoring
Regions are also mentioned in five targets of the frameworks, stating that they will be country-led,
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) —Goals but also that national-level processes will be the
1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 9 (Industry, foundation for reviews at the regional level. This
Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable bottom-up dynamic is complemented by the
Cities and Communities) and 17 (Partnerships for top-down dynamic, insofar as it is established
the Goals)— although the entire set of SDGs cuts that the follow-up and monitoring of the
across the forums. SDGs will be carried out “using a set of global
indicators to be complemented by indicators
The origin of the regional forums responds to one at the regional and national levels which will be
of these regionally assigned tasks. Their working developed by Member States” (2030 Agenda,
base is found in paragraph 21 of the 2030 Agenda, paragraph 75).
in which governments undertake to work for its
implementation “within our own countries and Considering the intersection between data
at the regional and global levels,” establishing a sources and indicators, the regions are
threefold working scenario. The final part of the intermediaries, as acknowledged in paragraph
paragraph further emphasizes the value given to 80 of the same document when it states that
regional work, recognizing “the importance of the “inclusive regional processes will draw on
regional and subregional dimensions, regional national-level reviews and contribute to follow-
economic integration and interconnectivity up and review at the global level, including at the
in sustainable development. Regional and High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable
subregional frameworks can facilitate the effective Development”, leaving it to the States to decide
translation of sustainable development policies on the most appropriate regional forum for their
into concrete action at the national level”. participation (paragraph 81).
1REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Graphic 1. 2030 Agenda monitoring and follow-up system: Position of the regions
Monitoring Monitoring
2030 Implementation
and review and review
Agenda scenarios
framework framework
Sustainable Primary data
Voluntary National
Development National source for
Reviews and Reports
Goals monitoring
Regional forums
Construction
Regional on sustainable
of regional
development
information
and regional
prioritization of
indicators
Global United Nations
Global indicator
High-level
framework
Political Forum
Source: Cepei, 2021
All regions now have their own established RFSD, hosted by the UN Regional Economic Commissions.
The present report analyzes the main outcomes of the 2021 RFSD.
Methodology the Chatham House Rules modality, which
prevents their names from being cited here and
The analysis is based on the authors’ real-time the statements they may have made1.
monitoring of the forums, their participation in
the meetings when possible, the preparatory
and adopted documents for each of the 1. The modality establishes that participants are free to
regional meetings, along with interviews with use the information received, including citations to the
key informants in each region and in the United statements made, but neither the identity nor the affiliation
Nations Development System conducted under of the source may be revealed.
2REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The documentary analysis includes both the The study is primarily qualitative, but
documents produced by the States and the includes quantitative data when relevant to
United Nations System and those prepared by understanding the dynamics of the RFSD
other actors, published on the official websites of functioning. The priority given in this case to
each of the forums. the use of qualitative techniques responds to
the search for well-founded interpretations over
As secondary sources, information taken from verifications. Additionally, we seek conclusions
the press and from specialized institutions, such oriented to strengthen processes, using an
as the International Institute for Sustainable integrated and holistic approach to our object
Development (IISD) or PassBlue, is used. of analysis.
Brief approach to regional forums
on sustainable development
All RFSDs have similar work mandates. Common for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
elements include: and present their results to the High-Level
Political Forum (HLPF).
• Responsibility for monitoring the status of the
SDGs at the regional level. • Create inputs to feed the debate at the HLPF.
• Promote knowledge exchange and best • Work to identify common issues faced by
practices in the implementation of the countries in the region and promote common
2030 Agenda. strategies to address them.
• Facilitate dialogue among States and between In addition, each forum has its own specificities2.
States and other stakeholders. All forums are
multi-stakeholder.
• Support for countries in the region that decide 2. Attached is the list of Member States of each region as
to voluntarily carry out their review processes of March 2021.
3REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Graphic 2. United Nations Economic Commissions and regional forums
Host Number of
Regional Member Name of the RFSD
Commission States
Arab Forum
ESCWA
20/22 (*) for Sustainable
Arab Countries
Development
Regional Forum
ECE on Sustainable
56
Europe Development for the
UNECE Region
African Regional
ECA
54 Forum on Sustainable
Africa
Development
Forum of the Countries
ECLAC
of Latin America
Latin America
46 and the Caribbean
and the
on Sustainable
Caribbean
Development
Asia-Pacific Forum
ESCAP
53 on Sustainable
Asia-Pacific
Development
(*) ESCWA comprises 20 Member States, but the regional Forum includes The Comoros and Djibouti,
which do not participate in ESCWA but are members of the UN Arab countries
Source: Cepei, 2021
4REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The African Regional Forum on The Forum of the Countries of
Sustainable Development Latin America and the Caribbean
on Sustainable Development
In March 2013, the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (ECA) was restructuring The Forum of the Countries of Latin America
its work as a result of decisions taken by the and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development
African Union (AU) Conference of Ministers (LAC-RFSD) was established by Resolution 700
of Economy and Finance and the UNECA (XXXVI) of the Economic Commission for Latin
Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in May 2016.
and Economic Development. In this process, an It brings together all 33 countries of Latin America
African Committee on Sustainable Development and the Caribbean and aims to function as a
(ACSD), a subsidiary body of the ECA, was regional framework for the follow-up and review
established, bringing together experts and of the implementation and monitoring of the 2030
policymakers in the economic, social and Agenda and the SDGs, targets and means of
environmental areas. implementation, as well as to oversee the progress
of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in the region.
The first UNECA Regional Forum on Sustainable
Development (Af-RFSD) became part of the In 2021, the LAC-RFSD held its fourth meeting
Ninth Session of the Committee on Sustainable after being forced to suspend its 2020 meeting as
Development held in Addis Ababa in June a result of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19
2015. Resolution 930 (XLVIII) was adopted, pandemic. The 2021 meeting took place virtually
calling for the establishment of the Forum as a on March 15–17, without any specific theme.
biannual meeting. In 2016, resolution 939 (XLIX)
established that its meetings would be annual. The Regional Forum on Sustainable
Development for the UNECE Region
The African forum’s primary mission is to
follow-up on the implementation of the Given the membership specificities of the United
Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Development, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (UNECE), the region has a dual membership: On
and the 2030 Agenda. a geographic basis and by income level, which
act concurrently rather than exclude each other.
In 2021, the Af-RFSD held its seventh meeting Thus, 56 countries from different latitudes—from
between March 1–4, in a hybrid scheme with the United States and Canada to Israel, Russia
the preeminence of virtual presentations, under and Turkey—are members of the ECE, making it
the theme “Building forward better: Towards a the regional commission with the largest number
resilient and green Africa to achieve the 2030 of Member States.
Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
It was established by Decision B (67) of the Economic
The strong ties between ECA and the African Commission for Europe, approved in April 2017,
Union symbolizes development management as a regional mechanism for the follow-up and
at the regional level, with the latter being fully review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
integrated into the work of the Af-RFSD. to be held in 2018 and 2019. Its original mandate
5REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
was extended to 2020 and 2021 by Decision B Countries as well as preserving their regional
(68) of the same institution, adopted in 2019. It is perspective.
expected that a new decision will be taken in 2021
to extend their meetings. Consequently, unlike in The eighth AP-RFSD meeting took place on March
other cases, the Eu-RFSD does not have the status 23–26, 2021, under the theme “Sustainable and
of a permanent body/meeting. resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
in Asia and the Pacific”, following a hybrid format
The 2021 Regional Forum on Sustainable with a prevalence for virtuality.
Development of the UNECE Region (Eu-RFSD)
was carried out under a hybrid scheme with a The Arab Forum for Sustainable
prevalence of virtuality. Although their official Development
meetings took place on March 17–18, a full
week of work and discussions on the SDGs It constitutes the main mechanism in the region
was also carried out. The theme of the meeting of cultural bases integrated by the Arab countries
was “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda
COVID-19 pandemic and action and delivery on implementation. It includes the 22 countries of
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the United Nations Arab Group, which is why
the UNECE Region.” The Comoros and Djibouti participate in the Arab
Countries Forum on Sustainable Development
The Asia-Pacific Forum on (Ar-RFSD) even though they are not members of
Sustainable Development the United Nations Commission for West Africa
(ESCWA), which hosts their debates.
Created in the framework of the High-Level Political
Forum by the 2012 United Nations Conference The Forum started its activities under the
on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), the Asia- name “High-Level Arab Forum on Sustainable
Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (AP- Development”, following its establishment by
RFSD) held its first meeting in May 2014, prior ESCWA Resolution 314 (XXVIII) of 2014. In
to the launch of the intergovernmental round 2016, ESCWA Resolution 327 (XXIX), related
of negotiations that would eventually adopt the to the working mechanisms of the Arab Forum
2030 Agenda. The theme that gathered that first on Sustainable Development, and the “Doha
meeting highlights its precocity: “Achieving the Declaration on the Implementation of the 2030
Millennium Development Goals and charting the Agenda for Sustainable Development”, adopted
way for an ambitious post-2015 development by ESCWA Member Countries in December,
agenda, including the Sustainable Development aligned their functions with the 2030 Agenda and
Goals (SDGs).” gave it its current name.
In May 2017, the United Nations Economic and The 2021 meeting of the Arab Forum on
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Sustainable Development met on March 29–31,
(ESCAP) adopted its resolution 73/1, aligning its working under a hybrid (albeit largely virtual)
structure to the 2030 Agenda’s own demands, scheme, under the theme “Accelerating progress
and making the AP-RFSD a subsidiary body of on the 2030 Agenda post-COVID.”
its own and establishing its terms of reference.
The forum’s mandate would focus on supporting In this region, the strong link between ESCWA and
countries in their efforts to implement and follow- the Arab League, who are working together in the
up on the 2030 Agenda in UNESCAP Member preparation of the forum, stands out.
6REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Box 1. Overlapping of regions
There are many cases of countries that are Members of more than one United Nations Regional
Commission. This leads to overlaps between them, which, far from being a problem, can be a way of
facilitating interregional work.
Only ECE Member States ESCAP and ECE Member States
Only ESCAP Member States ECLAC and ECE Member States
Only ECLAC Member States ECLAC and ESCAP Member States
Only ECA Member States ECA and ESCWA Member States
Only ESCWA Member States ECLAC, ESCAP, and ECE Member States
Source: Cepei, updated in March 2021
7REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Analysis of the 2021 regional
forums on sustainable
development
Core ideas “Gearing up for a Decade of Action and Delivery for
Sustainable Development”, a global commitment
The main focus of discussions in the RFSD to “accelerate our common efforts, now and
was COVID-19 and its effects on sustainable in the coming decade.” The Secretary-General
development. Four of the five forums had a immediately endorsed the demand and devoted
meeting motto, and three expressly included a the second half of the year to promoting it.
reference to COVID-19. Although the Arab Forum
is the only one that refers to “post-COVID”, both Build Back Better
ECE and ESCAP use the expression “Sustainable
and Resilient Recovery” to refer to the aftermath The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the need to
of the pandemic. integrate the Decade of Action with responses
to the pandemic. To address its short-term
This seems to indicate that, at least in the regional consequences, the UN presented a common
layers, response and recovery are shifting towards strategy based on five pillars. At the same time,
a more focused discussion on the period following the Secretary-General launched a medium-term
the pandemic. Under this approach, the Decade vision for post-pandemic recovery that he called
of Action and Delivery takes on an immense “Build Back Better”, borrowing an expression
weight, since its own relevance becomes linked already used by Bill Clinton in 20063 in his report
to the UN Secretary-General’s vision: “Build Back on recovery in the Philippines after the December
Better”, which Cepei prefers to call “Build Forward 2004 Tsunami—an expression included in the
Better”. Given the importance of these concepts United Nations glossary since its introduction as
as frameworks for the 2021 RFSDs, it is important one of the four priorities of the Sendai Framework
to dwell on them for a moment. for Disaster Reduction 2015–2030.
The Decade of Action and Delivery
Prior to the onset of the pandemic, UN Member
States realized that the progress made during
the first five years of implementation of the 2030
Agenda was insufficient to be on track to achieve
the SDGs by 2030. As a result, the first session 3. The former U.S. president had been appointed a year
of the summit-level High-Level Political Forum in earlier as Special Envoy of the Secretary General, Kofi
2019 included in its Political Declaration, entitled Annan, for the post-Tsunami recovery.
8REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Graphic 3. “Building Back Better” in the Clinton Report and the Sendai Framework
The 10 Principles to Build Back Better in the 2006 Build Back Better according to the Sendai
“Climate Report” Framework for Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030
1. Governments, donors, and aid agencies must Risk prevention
recognize that families and communities drive
their own recovery
1. Risk Reduction
2. Recovery must promote fairness an equity
3. Governments must enhance preparedness for Improvement of
future disasters structural designs
4. Local governments must be empowered to manage
recovery efforts, and donors must devote greater Land-use planning
resources to strengthening government recovery
institutions, especially at the local level
2. Community Recovery
5. Good recovery planning and effective coordination
depend on good information
Social Recovery
6. The UN, the World Bank, and other multilateral agencies
must clarify their roles and relationships, specially in
addresing the early stage of a recovery process
Economic Recovery
7. The expanding role of NGOs and Red Cross / Red
Crescent Movement carries greater responsabilities
in recovery efforts 3. Implementation
8. From the start of recovery operations, governments
and aid agencies must create the conditions for Managment of
entrepreneurs to flourish Stakeholders
9. Beneficiaries deserve the kind of agency
partnerships that move beyond rivalry and Legislation and
unhealthy competition Regulation
10. Good recovery must leave communiities safer
by reducing risks and building resilience Monitoring and Evaluation
Source: Cepei, 2021
9REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The Secretary-General’s Building Back Better taken as references. Given that the Arab Forum
approach seeks to align post-COVID-19 recovery for Sustainable Development does not include
processes with the achievement of the SDGs, in any such activities, we are only working with
order to avoid repeating unsustainable practices the remaining four forums. A total of 126 events
and promote changes towards new social, have been recorded, of which more than 40%
economic and environmental ways of life, in line correspond to the Asia-Pacific forum alone:
with the future of the world depicted in the 2030
Agenda and taking advantage of the opportunities • LAC-RFSD: 28 events
and lessons learned from the crisis.
• Af-RFSD: 24 events
Building Forward Better
• Eu-RFSD: 22 events
The Build Back Better proposal was adopted,
appropriated and adapted by different actors, • AP-RFSD: 52 events
even within the United Nations system itself,
which began to speak of the need to Build • Ar-RFSD: No data
Forward Better.
To explore these events and collect information,
This rewording seeks to highlight the fact that we propose the following questions:
we must not rebuild something that was an
unsustainable practice. Building forward shifts the How many of these events were
focus from the past (build back what was there: organized or co-organized by the
rebuilding) looking to the future, thereby also UN system?
promoting the commitment to intergenerational
solidarity inherent to sustainable development This question is relevant as it allows us to see
within a response to COVID-19, driven by an to what extent the system is taking over the
integrated and holistic approach. Thus, while forums. Given that the space for side events is
rebuilding does not necessarily imply an exercise necessarily limited, a high percentage of those
of creating sustainability, building forward organized by the UN system institutions may
means a creative exercise of economic, social indicate a sign of setting aside the interests and
and environmental sustainability. actions of other actors4.
The side events
A series of side events prior to the official RFSD
meetings initiated regional discussions on
sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda and
COVID-19. 4. The AP-FRDS did not carry out a selection exercise for
side events, but rather all those proposed were accepted
Only the activities that have been included in on the sole condition that they met the established
the official sites of each of the forums were presentation requirements.
10REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Graphic 4. Side events included in the official sites of the 2021 RFSD, according to the participation
of the UN system institutions in their organization
60
50
40
31
30
4
20
12 14 9
17
10 8
3
12
7 5 4
0
LAC-RFSD Af-RFSD Eu-RFSD AP-RFSD
Organized by UN system institutions
Co-organized by UN system institutions
Not organized by UN system institutions
Source: Cepei, 2021
Within the framework of the LAC-RFSD, the over- Following behind, without any general presence,
representation of the system, either as the sole are academia, local governments, parliaments
organizer or co-organizer of events, is evident. and development banks. It is clear that there are
Considering both categories, we can see that the major actors missing, such as unions, whose
UN system made part of the organization of 86% presence should be encouraged, as well as those
of the parallel events in the region. In this regard, who still show little presence in the preparation
one of our interviewees pointed out that in order of side events in each of the regional forums on
to increase the chances for a civil society event sustainable development.
to be accepted, a counterpart should be sought
in the organization within the system. This topic Taking into account all the events in the four
did not appear as relevant in any of the interviews forums, 183 were associated with SDGs and
conducted with respect to other forums. their targets (a single event can be linked to
multiple SDGs). The most referenced Goals
As for the actors involved in the preparation of were SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being),
these events, civil society, together with the private SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 17
sector, has been present at all four meetings. (Partnerships for the Goals).
11REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Graphic 5. Relationship between side events in the RFSD (except Arab countries) and SDGs
SDG 1 11 2
SDG 2 1 2
SDG 3 7 4 10 2
SDG 4 4 2 2 1
SDG 5 3 2 3 5
SDG 6 2 1
SDG 7 11
SDG 8 1 2 4 1
SDG 9 3 1
SDG 10 4 5 8 3
SDG 11 11
SDG 12 3 3 2 1
SDG 13 2 1 6
SDG 14 2 3
SDG 15 2 2
SDG 16 1 3 1
SDG 17 12 10 25 13
0 5 15 25 35 45 55 65
LAC-RFSD Af-RFSD AP-RFSD Eu-RFSD
Source: Cepei, 2021
The gap between the goals under consideration is for sustainable development” (paragraph 2)?
obvious. The wide difference between SDG 17 and How can we interpret this, taking into account
the others can be explained by the characteristics that the Eu-RFSD brings together most of the
of the forums, designed as multi-stakeholder world’s richest countries whose international
scenarios oriented to the implementation and policy decisions have a global impact? Are
monitoring of the 2030 Agenda. The large number regions “leaving behind” Goals 7 (Affordable and
of references to SDG 3 can be understood from Clean Energy) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and
the context in which the forums were held. SDG Communities)? The lack of balance in regards to
5 (Gender Equality) and 10 show a globally the consideration of the environmental dimension
widespread concern about inequality, which has is evident for Latin America and the Caribbean,
been starkly heightened by the pandemic. whose economic commission argues the need
for a great environmental leap to overcome
Why did the Eu-RFSD did not have a single underdevelopment, and for the UNECE region.
side event directly linked to SDG 1 when the
2030 Agenda “acknowledges that eradicating As a result of the analysis, we found that there
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, is no balance between the three dimensions
including extreme poverty, is the greatest global of sustainable development, and this raises a
challenge and an indispensable requirement significant concern.
12REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
How was COVID-19 present in the • Women: 6 activities
side events?
• Young children and adolescents: 3 activities
To answer this question is important to think about
how regional debates are taking into account • Native people: 3 activities
what will be the greatest challenge of sustainable
development in the immediate future. • Youth: 2 activities
Among the 126 events surveyed, 41 (almost 33%) • People with disabilities: 2 activities
referred explicitly to COVID in their calls. This
may be good news as it shows the relevance • Migrants and refugees: 1 activity
and concerns surrounding the issue, but it also
shows that other issues linked to sustainable The SDGs with which these events had the most links
development at the regional level have not been were SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5
put aside, which would be a great risk. (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities),
and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Among the activities referring directly to COVID-19,
there is a balanced distribution between those The complete absence of side events where
organized by UN system institutions, those co- the central topic of discussion was access to
organized between the UN and external partners, vaccines and treatments against COVID-19,
and those directly convened by actors outside as well as the non-participation of the COVAX
the system. initiative therein, is striking.
Among the most repeated themes within the How active were the discussions
subgroup of activities under analysis, the around The Decade of Action to
following stand out: Deliver the SDGs, “Build Back
Better” and “Build Forward Better”?
• General approaches to the challenge of
recovery: 8 activities The answer to this question allows us to
understand the regional relevance that each
• Activities linking recovery to technical and of these initiatives have and the degree of
scientific issues, those relating to data, and appropriation by regional actors.
those linking recovery to the promotion of
human rights: 3 activities each The first thing to point out is that the Decade of
Action was given very little consideration. It was
• Local management: 2 activities the key focus of only three of the 126 side events:
One in the Af-RFSD, one in the AP-RFSD and
Regarding groups that are particularly vulnerable another one in the Eu-RFSD.
to the pandemic and need to be considered in
recovery policies, we found activities about:
13REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Illustration 1. Building back, building forward
BEYOND
Building forward better THE PANDEMIC
Action to strengthen the 2030 Agenda Building back better
for Sustainable Development
from crises in Asia
Fourth report on regional progress and challenges in relation and the Pacific
to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
in Latin America and the Caribbean
Forum of the Countries
of Latin America and
the Caribbean on
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
2021
Virtual meeting
15 – 18 March
Left: ECLAC’s 2021 report on sustainable development progress in the region uses the Build Forward Better
expression. Right: ESCAP’s report for the 77th session of the Commission refers to Build Back Better. Both
reports were published in March 2021.
On the other hand, there were considerable Neither of these references was used in the LAC-
references to build back/build forward better, RFSD—the closest mentions were about “sustainable
and there were even mentions other than post- and resilient recovery” and “transformative recovery”.
COVID-19 reconstruction/building forward:
Judging from the combination of mentions of
The “Build Back Better” slogan was used recovery/building forward in any of its forms and
in the call themes of 10 side events, while 5 those of the Decade of Action and Delivery, it is
opted for “Build Forward Better”. Four other clear that the former have surpassed the scope
activities chose to mention “Building Better of the latter. In other words, the idea of building
Together”, “Build Back Greener”, “Building back/building forward better appears as a
Back More Equal”, and “Building Back Fairer” concept closer to the current needs and realities of
in their titles. the regions and their actors.
14REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Official activities The ECE, ESCWA and ESCAP regions also held
specific meetings of parliamentarians to discuss
Below, we will limit ourselves to the activities that their role in promoting sustainable development.
have been officially incorporated as part of the
forums, either as preparatory activities or as part The following should be taken into account as
of their work5. This analysis is complemented by particularities of each region:
the above, in order to provide an overall view, and
avoiding to consider official activities and side • ECLAC convened a preparatory meeting to
events as a single group (even though we have discuss with its (non-full) associate members
only taken into account those officially recognized and the online presence of the Deputy
by the organization of each regional forum). Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Amina J. Mohammed. The dialogue was held
Official preparatory activities between her and the resident coordinators of
UN teams in the countries of the region. In LAC,
The official programs of the forums include a total the meeting of the Regional Collaboration
of 119 activities divided into official, preparatory Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean,
plenary and official restricted participation under the chairmanship of Mrs. Mohammed,
activities. In the case of the Af-RFSD, a post- was also considered as preparatory.
Forum activity was included: an “Online Creative
Writing Workshop for young writers participating • Among the meetings held prior to the Af-RFSD,
in Championing the Decade of Action Initiative.” there was one focusing on science, technology
and innovation.
The designation of activities as “preparatory”
varied considerably from one meeting to another, • The Arab countries discussed the environmental
even when the topics covered in the forums were dimension of the 2030 Agenda within the
similar or even identical. framework of the COVID-19 pandemic,
focusing on the possibilities of boosting
The LAC-RFSD considered that preparatory activities sustainable production and consumption.
were meetings that took place the day before the
start of the official activities. Meanwhile, the Ar-RFSD • In the Asia-Pacific region, the youth organized
has been holding meetings since November 2020. In their regional forum as a meeting prior to the
regards to the Eu-RFSD, preparatory meetings began AP-FRDS with the intention of generating
about two weeks before the opening of the forum. inputs for the debate and strengthening
their position as actors in the promotion
Preparatory activities include the aforementioned of sustainable development in the post-
activities aimed at supporting countries submitting COVID-19 period. ESCAP and DESA jointly
Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), as well as organized an activity prior to the regional
civil society meetings in all regions. In Africa, the forum on Voluntary Local Reports.
civil society meeting was a training workshop
to strengthen knowledge on Af-RFSD’s work. In
Europe, the youth held their own sectoral meeting.
Only the regions represented by ECLAC 5. Only one activity carried out after the end of the
and ECE included private sector forums as Af-RFSD was considered; However, it was part of the
preparatory activities. forum’s program.
15REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• In Europe, the week prior to the official opening consideration of the environmental dimension
of the Eu-RFSD was marked by roundtable of sustainable development, and a strong
discussions organized around four themes predominance of the social dimension over the
(people, planet, prosperity and cross-cutting economic (as occurred with the side events).
debates). The outcomes of these discussions Although most of the events had an integrating
fed into the debates of the regional forum. aspect of the three dimensions, we noted that the
officials who spoke at these events were rarely
Balance between the three responsible for managing environmental areas
dimensions of sustainable and, therefore, had little representation in relation
development to their peers from the social and economic areas.
Based on both preparatory activities and
forum sessions, we can note a disparity on the
Graphic 6. Official events (preparatory and during the forums) by sustainable development dimension
15 16
27
52
9
Economic dimension Environmental dimension Not applicable
Social dimension Cross-cutting event
Source: Cepei, 2021
16REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Activities of the forums, COVID-19, below the rank of minister is common, while only
building back/building forward two presidents participated in the forums, both
better, and the Decade of Action as leaders of the countries chairing their regional
and Delivery economic commissions. Such are the cases of
Carlos Alvarado Quesada (Costa Rica) and Denis
A total of 39 of the 119 official activities carried Sassou Nguesso (Congo). The only vice-president
out (27%) expressly called for debates around who participated in the Af-RFSD is a unique case:
COVID-19, which reflects what was said when In addition to serving as vice-president of Malawi,
analyzing the side events, where this proportion Saulos Klaus Chilima is the Minister responsible
was slightly higher (33%). for Economic Planning, Development and Public
Sector Reform in his country.
These activities were mainly related to post-
pandemic recovery processes, rather than urgent With a few exceptions, the participation of
containment measures. Linking recovery to representatives of the different States, regardless
increased resilience is almost a constant. of their level, showed that the formal prevailed
over the substantive. During the debates, there
Considering the conceptualization framework were no questions from State representatives,
of this reconstruction, the references to Build who seemed satisfied with giving three to five-
Back Better are reiterated for 6 events: Three minute speeches, highlighting some element of
in Europe, one in LAC, one in Africa and the last their countries’ path towards the implementation
one in Asia-Pacific. of the 2030 Agenda or in their struggle to fight the
effects of COVID-19.
The expression “Build Forward Better”, which
ECLAC translates into Spanish as construir un The UN system showed a different reality:
futuro mejor (build a better future), is used in four Its commitment was demonstrated by the
calls: two in the Af-RFSD and two in LAC-RFSD. participation of the Deputy Secretary-General,
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, who participated in
As a result, the Ar-RFSD does not use any of events at all five forums, and the President of
these expressions, and only comes close to their the ECOSOC, Mr. Munir Akram, who was absent
meaning on one occasion when referring to the only at the Arab forum. Each of the Executive
need for a green recovery. Secretaries of the regional economic commissions
and officials of the UN agencies, funds and
The Decade of Action and Delivery is expressly programs also participated, although the latter
mentioned in only six of the calls for events were not necessarily of the highest rank.
surveyed—five of them in the Af-RFSD and the
remaining one in the LAC-RFSD. There is no mention In the same way that the structure and working
in the calls of the other three regional forums. methods of the United Nations High-Level Political
Forum are currently being debated to increase its
Level of engagement efficiency, it could be useful to replicate this at the
regional level.
In every forum, the ministerial level played a
leading role. However, the presence of officials
17REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Support in the preparation of Inviting countries from other regions to share their
Voluntary National Reviews: When own experiences in the regional forum could be a
regional regionalism blocks the practice that enriches the views on the process of
possibility of being enriched by each separate region.
other visions
The Af-RFSD has already taken a step in this
The regional sustainable development forums are direction by inviting Mariana Cammisa (SDG
a space to support those countries that are in the Officer of the Secretariat of International Affairs
process of building their VNRs for submission of the government of the City of Buenos Aires,
within the same year to the United Nations High- Argentina) to participate in its workshop on
Level Political Forum. The strategies followed by national and local voluntary reporting.
each region to this end have changed:
Knowledge gained in a region, should not mean
• In Latin America and the Caribbean, a losing the opportunity to benefit from those that
workshop with a preparatory status is exist in other regions. The knowledge generated in
organized for reporting States only. the construction of Voluntary National Reviews and
their use has nothing to do with regional boundaries.
• In Africa and Europe, preparatory workshops
are held as a restricted-entry pre-activity, with Something similar occurs with respect to data-
open plenary discussions as part of the official related activities in each of the regions. Although it
activities of the Af-RFSD and Eu-RFSD forums. is understandable that each of them faces its own
particularities, relying on this to confine the debates
• In Asia-Pacific, the exchange of experiences on within the region, instead of enriching them with
report preparation is promoted as a main and experiences from other regions, results in a loss.
plenary activity within the work of the forum. There is an opportunity for cross-regional cooperation
that can be exploited—at little or no financial cost—
• In the case of the Arab region, the forum and with the potential to improve the results of the
was preceded by a two-day workshop on support processes for reporting countries.
Voluntary National Reports. It should be noted
that each year ESCWA holds two workshops Non-state actors engagement
to work on this topic between meetings of its
regional forums. Having mentioned the elements that we consider
essential to the participation of the States and the
Although each region uses the mechanism that United Nations system itself in the forums, we
best suits its possibilities and needs, the regional should now ask ourselves about the place of other
economic commissions hold monthly meetings actors in the debates. It is worth remembering
throughout the year. The interviews conducted that openness, inclusiveness, participation and
indicate that in this space there have been exchanges transparency of the follow-up and review schemes
on how to improve their support to the countries of the 2030 Agenda, as well as support for
reporting to the High-Level Political Forum. reporting by all stakeholders, is a basic principle
of the process (2030 Agenda, paragraph 74.d).
It is important to note that the knowledge gained
by countries in conducting their Voluntary National In addition to the possibility of speaking in plenary
Reviews and reporting on their results can be used debates, some actors have played prominent
by countries in other regions if properly articulated. roles in the activities, working as informants,
18REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
expert speakers and panel commentators. This each sector acts as a sealed compartment when
report excludes from the analysis situations where organizing its activities in the forums, hardly
the floor was requested in plenary events. inviting other non-state actors.
The intensity and type of actors involved in the In a vision that integrates the previous official
forums of each region has been different, but activities and those carried out as part of the
with few exceptions, it has been verified that forums, we have the following result:
Graphic 7. Non-governmental actors engagement in the different regional forums on sustainable
development: participation activities
16
16
14
13
12
10
10
8
7 7
6
6
5
4
4
3 3
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0
LAC-RFSD Af-RFSD AP-RFSD Eu-RFSD Ar-RFSD
Academy Civil society Private sector Parliament
Local governments Unions Youth
Source: Cepei, 2021
19REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The above graph reveals that civil society the different actors in the activities was taken.
and academia are the most called in players This may not be problematic in the case of
among non-governmental actors, with a certain academia, where the calls are made according
preeminence of the former: Academia has only to the expertise of individuals, but it can be
been called in more than civil society in the Arab problematic when inviting representatives of
countries forum. The Latin American and Asia- civil society or young people.
Pacific forums had the least diversity of non-
governmental actors among their speakers. The forums play a special role in opening spaces
for non-governmental actors, especially at a time of
Parliaments and local governments are lagging increasing restrictions for them at the national level,
behind, and the youth is far from being involved including the assassination of leaders. Taking this
to match the discourse on their importance. forward can increase the relevance of the forums and
Other relevant actors to strengthen the open up the range of voices that have something to
sustainability of development are completely say in sustainable development debates.
absent, such as political parties and the media,
both traditional and digital. Greater participation also means a deeper
appropriation of the meaning of the regional forums,
Furthermore, none of the forums has explained and is an opportunity to generate knowledge and
how the decision as to who would represent awareness of the 2030 Agenda in societies.
Box 2. The value of inclusion in the regional
forums: An experience at the African 2021 forum
At the closing session of the Af-RFSD, Allara Le
Todjida, a deaf member of civil society, made his
presentation in sign language, with simultaneous
translation into English by an interpreter who,
as per United Nations regulations applicable
to these meetings, participated in every official Allara Le Todjida, President of Strategies to Advance
session. Le Todjida said it was the first time and Network Deaf Africans for Ubuntu, at the closing
he had the opportunity to participate in such session of the Af-RFSD. On screen, Congo’s Minister
a forum and asked for more support for his of Tourism & Environment, Arlette Soudan-Nonault,
community, which in Africa has so much to representing the country chairing the sessions,
express. At the end of his participation, he and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Public Service, Labor
wiped away the tears shed by the opportunity & Social Welfare, Paul V. Mavima, listen to the
to be part of the debate. translation of the sign language interpreter.
20REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The United Nations of this issue to the UN as a whole was demonstrated
by the fact that the Deputy Secretary General, who
development system chairs the RCPs, participated in the 2021 meetings
of the five regional forums, and personally led the
reform in regional forums meetings of each of the RCPs that were held in
parallel to the forums.
The UN Sustainable Development Promotion
System is currently undergoing a process of Regional Collaboration Platforms
necessary reforms to adapt to the commitments
and windows of opportunity resulting from the The UN Secretary-General stated the following
2030 Agenda, and provide greater effectiveness, in his report on the “Implementation of General
efficiency and a stronger orientation towards results. Assembly resolution 71/243 on the quadrennial
comprehensive policy review of operational
This process began at the national level. Its activities for development of the United Nations
clearest expression was the introduction of the system (2019)” (A/74/73, April 2019):
figure of national coordinators to replace the
former resident coordinators. However, this I intend to create a unified mechanism for
involved multiple factors ranging from changes coordination in each region –a United Nations
in country support plans to internal UN office regional collaborative platform –to foster
management schemes. collaboration on sustainable development across
entities of the United Nations development system
The next step was taken at the regional/global operating at the regional level (paragraph 110).
level, with the creation of a new institution to ensure
the coherence of the system: The Development This decision was embodied in the establishment
Coordination Office (DCO). of the Regional Collaboration Platform, which
in the 2021 regional forums on sustainable
Within each region, progress was made in development held closed meetings with the UN
establishing guidelines for action and governance Deputy Secretary-General (who leads them and to
aimed at optimizing resources, promoting dialogue whom they are accountable).
within the system and among its members,
governments and non-governmental partners, while • “Today marks the start of the next-generation
at the same time increasing the coherence, efficiency collaboration approach for the regional
and effectiveness of management and results. UN entities to support African countries
to respond and recover better from the
Among the elements highlighted in this second COVID-19 pandemic and reignite the Decade
moment of the reforms, are the creation of of Action for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
regionally unified information access portals, the Development, which is aligned with the Africa
establishment of Issue-based Coalitions for the Union Agenda 2063”.
work of different agencies on issues of regional
interest, and Regional Collaborative Platforms6.
The 2021 regional forums on sustainable
development were the space chosen to make 6. For further information on this process, please visit
visible, and in some cases introduce for the first the CEPEI website on the United Nations Development
time, the new RCPs and their IBCs. The relevance System Reform.
21REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• In Latin America and the Caribbean, it took support to a sustainable recovery and
place on March 15, as a preparatory activity acceleration of SDG progress. The inaugural
for the LAC-RFSD. meeting of the new Regional Collaborative
Platform last week concluded with clear
• In Asia-Pacific, it was held on March 23, in priorities for action in 2021.”
parallel to the work of the AP-RFSD. Amina
J. Mohammed stated that “The United • In the Arab countries, the RCP meeting was
Nations continues to make progress on its also moved a few days ahead of the start of the
sweeping reforms to strengthen our work Ar-RFSD. Following its session on March 26,
on all fronts – country, regional and global the results of the meeting were presented by
(…) This platform sets the foundations for a Mounir Tabet, Deputy Executive Secretary of
much stronger contribution by regional UN ESCWA, in an official activity of the Sustainable
entities to accelerate the achievement of the Development Forum of this region.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
for Asia and the Pacific”. The commitment to strengthen and give visibility
to this new working mechanism is one of the most
• In Europe, the meeting originally scheduled concrete aspects of the 2021 round of regional
for March 19 was rescheduled to the week forums on sustainable development. The message
prior to the AR-RFSD, allowing the Deputy was “there is no going back on the reform at the
Secretary-General to make a direct reference regional level, nor is there any time to lose in its
to the topic in her inaugural speech, stating implementation”. According to an interviewed
that “The UN development system in your source, the RCPs could be one of the strongest
region is stepping-up to support your efforts. “bets” of the General Secretariat to give relevance
After the reform, it is now better positioned and effectiveness to the work of the regions in the
to provide joined-up policy and operational post-COVID-19 reconstruction processes.
22REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Box 3. Issue-based Coalitions
UN Development System actors in each region Asia-Pacific
have defined issues of importance and have
established coalitions for joint UN work at the 1. Climate Change Mitigation and Air Pollution.
regional level. Thus, a double result is achieved: 2. Building Resilience.
Joint definition of regional priority areas and 3. Inclusion and Empowerment.
promotion of synergies for regional action. The 4. People, Mobility and Urbanization.
current thematic coalitions are: 5. Human Rights and Gender Equality.
Europe and Central Asia
Africa 7
1. Health.
1. Strengthened integrated data & statistical 2. Gender Equality.
systems for sustainable development. 3. Youth and Adolescents.
2. Ensuring effective and efficient 4. Social Protection.
macroeconomic management and 5. Large Movements of People, Displacement
accelerated inclusive, economic and Resilience.
transformation and diversification. 6. Environment and Climate Change.
3. Harnessing Demographic Dividends 7. Sustainable Food Systems.
through investments in Youth and Women’s
Empowerment for Sustainable Development. Arab Countries
4. Leveraging new technologies and enabling
digital transitions for inclusive growth & 1. Adolescents and youth.
development. 2. Humanitarian development peace nexus.
5. Fostering Climate Action and Resilience. 3. Migration.
6. Towards Peace, Security, and the Respect of 4. Economic management and social
Human Rights. protection.
7. Forced displacement and migration. 5. Gender justice and equality.
6. Food security, climate action and environment.
Latin America and the Caribbean 8
7. Quality social services.
8. Urbanization.
1. Climate change and resilience
2. Equitable growth
3. Governance and institutions 7. This region uses the expression “Opportunity/Initiative-
4. Human mobility based Coalitions (OIBCs)” instead of “Thematic Coalitions.”
5. Crime and violence 8. It considers gender and youth as cross-cutting themes
6. Development Finance in the six coalitions.
23REPORT ON THE 2021 REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Regional information gateways the Pacific. This platform is part of a larger
information portal, the SDG Help Desk, which
In his aforementioned report on the quadrennial integrates a Knowledge Hub, data portals,
comprehensive policy review of operational activities SDG-oriented web-based planning tools, and
for development of the United Nations system information from technical assistance activities
(A/74/73), the UN Secretary-General announced his and the work of a community of practice.
decision to create “strong knowledge management
hubs in each region, by pooling the policy expertise, • The Eu-RFSD was the setting for the
by or across sectors, available through our almost presentation of a new segment of its
8,000 human assets today” (paragraph 113). Knowledge Hub on SDGs, online since 2020,
a dashboard to provide unified follow-up
The realization of this proposal was reflected in the on the progress of the 56 UNECE Member
presentations of regional information portals as a States. It was presented the week before the
major activity in three of the five regional forums. start of the regional forum.
• LAC-RFSD: on March 18, Alicia Bárcena, Besides those three cases, ECA has a knowledge
Executive Secretary of ECLAC, and Luis platform, while ESCWA uses its Arab SDGs
Felipe López Calva, Regional Director for Gateway. However, its process of building a
Latin America and the Caribbean of the United single base by unifying access to all its resources
Nations Development Program, presented the continues under the name “Manara” (meaning
Regional Knowledge Platform on the 2030 “lighthouse” in Arabic). The project is currently in
Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean its final stage and is expected to be online before
(SDG Gateway). the end of 2021.
• At the AP-FRDS, the presentation of the Asia- These portals open up new ways of accessing
Pacific Knowledge Management Hub was information produced by the UN system at
held on March 25 as one of the official events the regional level as a whole. In addition to
of the meeting, with the presence of Amina J. the implementation of the RCPs, this strongly
Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the promotes the repositioning of the regions,
UN, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Secretary- increasing their visibility and working tools for the
General of ESCAP, and Kanni Wignaraja, promotion of sustainable development and post-
Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and COVID-19 building forward.
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