The Clock is Ticking: Leveraging the SDGs in a World of Crises

A joint event by the European Parliament’s SDG Alliance and UNDP

15:00 CET, 30 June, 2022

European Parliament, Brussels

Room: ASP 1E2

Concept

With less than 8 years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and no country on track to achieve them, and as the mid-point of Agenda 2030 approaches, this event aims to take stock of the EU and the international community’s implementation of the SDGs. In a world where geopolitical, climate and humanitarian crises compete for resources and policy-makers’ attention, this event aims to answer the following question: are the SDGs relevant in such a context, and if so, how can this operationalised?

This event is particularly timely. On June 23rd, the European Parliament will, for the first time this mandate, vote on a resolution assessing the EU’s implementation of the SDGs. This resolution makes concrete recommendations for making the SDGs a reality in Europe and beyond, given current challenges. In July, the international community will reunite in person, for the first time in 3 years, for the 2022 High Level Political Forum. As such, now is the moment to crystallise expectations for this forum: what role will the EU play? What new commitments will be made? Will the SDGs become collateral damage of a world in crises, or will they be taken seriously as the only framework for emerging from these crises?

Join us for this in person event, hosted in the European Parliament.

Lineup

15:00 - 15:05 Opening remarks by MEP Barry Andrews, Chair of SDG Alliance

15:05 - 15:15 Keynote address by Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator

Video address by Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P, Prime Minister of

Barbados.

15:15 - 15:30 Panel discussion with experts:

Each speaker to make 2-3 minute individual address

• Camilla Brückner, Director of UN/UNDP Office, Brussels
• Michael Koehler, Director-General, DG ECHO
• Felix Fernández Shaw, Director for Sustainable Development Policy and Coordination,DG INTPA
• Adolf Kloke-Lesch, co-chair, SDSN Europe

15:30 - 15:45 Moderated discussion, chaired by MEP Anna Cavazzini

15:45 - 15:58 Q&A session

15:58 - 16:00 Closing remarks by MEP Barry Andrews