APFSD8: SIDE EVENTS

Organizer(s) and partners: AsiaDHRRA, Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), ASEAN Secretariat, FAO-RAP (TBC), Asian Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD)

Multi-stakeholder Partnerships:  Antidote to Covid19 and Booster to SDG Action!!! Regional organizations from CSOs, governments, UN agency, will come together to showcase initiatives on Covid19 recovery and the SDGs under review, and update participants on regional frameworks and action plans to overcome the pandemic. A road-map shall reflect opportunities for strategic partnerships and a set of recommendations drawn for the HLPF.  CSOs will share work on Covid19 recovery,  their advocacy for SDG localization, the importance of inclusive participation and stronger institutions, and will share result of planned VNRs; the important role of agroecology in building community resiliency amid the pandemic will also be highlighted.

To register/attend:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/APFSD8sideeventregistration

Organizer(s) and partners: UNWOMEN

Organizer(s) and partners: UNFPA; the National University of Singapore

This side event will explore the importance of the availability and use of health data in addressing the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (SRMNCAH) services in the Asia-Pacific region and the implications on achieving the 2030 sustainable development goal for health (SDG 3). Through the contribution and interaction between technical experts, policymakers and academia, this session will examine lessons learned and challenges in maintaining and using data from national health management information systems during the pandemic and the way forward in accelerating the coverage of essential health services for a sustainable and resilient recovery.

To register/attend:

https://unfpa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscOGvqToqH9BPV6DnGUlfE4n_MrlkB2wy

Organizer(s) and partners:  TheCreators2030, Food NGO from Portugal, Arts Org from Bangkok, Youth Org from India

TheCreators2030 UN SDGs Arts & Youth Initiative invites you to an event where you connect with what is important you.  You begin to understand how Artists and the Creative Community heals, empowers and motivates our mental, emotional and physical health.  You will also be empowered by the fact when we honor the Creative Community by paying them for the value at which we consume tneir artistic talents, we pay ourselves too - providing sustainable and daily living for all.  We will also understand the connection between the Creativity, Food and our mental, emotional and physical health and why its important for a sustainable life.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtceygqjotH9PTNfkfh8KFrTkVOk5BS60C

Organizer(s) and partners: Save the Children, UNICEF, the Governments of Indonesia and the Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

During this session, Save the Children will facilitate an engaging debate around Child-Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP), and engage children in the discussion. Child poverty has sky-rocketed as a result of COVID-19, inflicting irreversible damage on children’s development, and undermining productivity, broad-based economic growth, and social cohesion in our society. We want to explore the role CSSP can play in the sustainable and resilient recovery of the Asia-Pacific region from Covid-19 in order to lift children out of poverty, build human capital, reduce inequality and protect from future shocks such as climate change.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/j/94625963273?pwd=VTZQVGg3OWdyTTV5YjhsNHlHaHFRQT09

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia Pacific Working Group on Adolescent Girls: Co-organizers/ Co-chairs - Plan International APAC and IPPF ESEAOR; Membership: CREA, Care Asia, Save the Children Asia, ECPAT International, Girls Not Brides, Terre des Hommes, UNICEF, UNWomen APRO, UNFPA APRO

As countries begin to recover from COVID-19, or as situations become even more complicated, and we learn to live with COVID-19, it is imperative we make sure progress on gender equality, particularly those related to adolescent girls, are not lost. While the COVID-19 crisis presents many challenges, it also provides an opportunity to re-imagine social, economic, health and education systems so that they are more inclusive, resilient and gender-responsive to ensure adolescent girls are not left behind. We don’t have to return to normal, we can return to “better for girls”. The APFSD virtual side-event organised by the Asia Pacific Working Group on Adolescent Girls shall provide a space for adolescent girls and young women leaders and activists, policy-makers and civil society representatives to share their challenges, needs and experiences in taking action to advance gender equality for adolescent girls across the Sustainable Development Agenda.

To register/attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkfu6qrzguH9dCG0OnO8uGYbfbrxstDku_

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia Development Alliance (ADA), Awaz Foundation, Pakistan, NGO Federation of Nepal, ARGO-Kazakhstan, TAP Network, Community of Democracy, OHCHR (TBC), Govt/ of Malaysia (TBC)

As an integrated and mutually-reinforcing whole, SDG 16+ delivers on the promise of inclusive societies free from fear and violence. It embodies a transformative and catalytic shift– that peace and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing and dependent and help ensure that SDG 16+ implementation is not forgotten amidst the health crisis created by the COVID-19. The pandemic is highlighting and exacerbating a number of issues and challenges directly related to SDG 16+ particularly lesser engagement of non-state actors in the response to the pandemic. The role of citizens led data and indicators to measure SDG 16+ could be a major breakthrough, if accepted.  Join us to know more!!

To register/attend:

https://ada2030.org/8th-asia-pacific-forum-on-sustainable-development.php 

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) and the youth from 9 countries/organisations- Abhivyakti Media for Development, NCE-Nepal, CED Sri Lanka, CAMPE-Bangladesh, E-Net Philippines, CSEP Timor Leste, KOBLE-Vanuatu, AFE-Mongolia:

Disconnected from their peers and excluded from government decision-making during the pandemic, the vulnerable youth's everyday lives and future aspirations have taken a serious hit in the ‘new normal’. They continue to face significant disruptions and changes on multiple fronts, at home, their community and the economy. Yet, as this pandemic continues to exacerbate, several youth have also been at the forefront amongst those mobilizing to shape creative forms of resistance, solidarity, and claim-making, particularly for social protection and relief assistance. Listen to their stories and recommendations putting education, decent work and social protection at the center of recovery and resiliency.

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/KGJ1rDJFJTAFsA5FA 

Organizer(s) and partners: Asian People's Exchange (APEX), Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT), The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) 

In this event, in order to accelerate action and transformation for the attainment of SDGs, “A Comprehensive Framework on Appropriate Technology Choice for Sustainable Development” will be proposed, along with concrete examples of appropriate technology choice based on practices in Indonesia and the Philippines. The framework can lead to the sustainable and resilient post-pandemic society, where basic needs such as water, foods and electricity are supplied locally and self-sufficiently, participatory small to medium scale local industries are developed, and local people associate and exchange widely and inter-locally.

To register/attend:

http://www.apex-ngo.org/en/comprehensiveframework_en3.html

Organizer(s) and partners:  Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development-IPMG; Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact; Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network; Asia Indigenous Women Network; OHCHR; ILO; UNDP; FAO

This event entitled Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience and Recovery from COVID 19 will bring together indigenous leaders and representatives of UN agencies to present and discuss challenges in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to SDGs 1 (poverty), 2 (hunger), 3 (food security), 8 (decent work)  and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). The event will also focus on initiatives to strengthen community resilience and actions needed for the inclusion of indigenous peoples in the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development. This event is open to all interested and will be conducted in English.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ehG6voGYRUGTVXcUm3Gi2Q

Organizer(s) and partners:  ESCAP, ESBN, Global Compact Network Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

Achieving a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19 will require addressing social and environmental vulnerabilities and risks, including those caused by climate change. To limiting warming to 1.5˚C, emissions need to be drastically reduced by 2030 reach net-zero by 2050, requiring major transformations of economies and companies. As governments and businesses across the world are announcing net-zero targets, a number of initiatives exist to guide companies on this journey and ensure accountability. This session will discuss the importance of corporate emissions target setting and reporting in driving progress, discuss the benefits for companies, showcase progress in the region and discuss how to drive increased emissions target setting by companies in the region.  

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qdnln9nRRZmd_Qne7UzEOg

Organizer(s) and partners:  UNV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Ministry of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan. Partners: China Youth Volunteer Association; Covid Thailand Aid; Clean Air

The event will demonstrate the trends/examples of volunteer engagement in SDG implementation and acceleration as well as exemplary volunteer action during pandemic response and recovery efforts in ESCAP region. The participants will have a chance to learn how they can leverage volunteerism as transformative power for recovery efforts as well as for SDG acceleration and related processes through introduction of tools and data that will be presented. Interested participants and partners will also have an opportunity to further collaborate with UNV after the event to continue longer term engagement. 

To register/attend:

https://bit.ly/2OVM5hz

Organizer(s) and partners:  Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated inequality and the exclusion of marginalised and vulnerable groups in our cities across the Asia Pacific.  This poses a major threat to achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities) and renders those being left behind more vulnerable in future crises. Building back better practice must deliver equality and fairness in the process. RWI will showcase how a human-rights-based-approach (HRBA) can provide a practical analytic framework to 'building back equally' and thereby achieving the aspirations of the SDGs and the principles of social justice.

To register/attend:

https://rb.gy/flscag  

The participants can also confirm their registration by email to [email protected] and [email protected]

Organizer(s) and partners: UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, UCLG ASPAC

This Side Event will build on the 8th APFSD theme “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia and the Pacific”, where leaders will share their visions based on reality and what is really needed on the ground.

It will promote gender-responsive, inclusive, and participatory mechanisms that ensure recognition roles of organised grassroots groups and local government as policy, plans and programmes are being developed for Covid-19 recovery.

Recommendations will be used for advocacy and building partnerships, that would lead to ownership by all involved entities.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iD_HItjvTBanov3sDnHtpA

Organizer(s) and partners:  ESCAP, UNEP, OHCHR, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

Asia and the Pacific is currently not on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 16, and other environment-related SDGs. The discussions in this event will provide insights into the role of regional mechanisms on access rights to promote inclusive and participatory decision-making in environmental issues. This dialogue will identify potential stakeholder engagement strategies to enhance access rights in the region, accelerating sustainability in the post-pandemic recovery.

To register/attend:

https://www.unescap.org/events/2021/enabling-sustainable-recovery-greater-access-information-access-justice-and-public

Organizer(s) and partners:  Embassies of France and Japan in Thailand

Being a transboundary issue, air pollution must be addressed both at the local, national, and regional levels, and there is a need for policymakers in the region to target multiple pollutants and to open “the PM2.5 black box” to better identify the sources of emissions. Despite raising public awareness and some policy actions being taken to mitigate atmospheric pollution in SEA, further urgent action is needed to reduce emissions by applying various tools such as targeted abatement measures, knowledge dissemination to various private and public actors, local events for awareness raising and ultimately bringing air quality to safe, long term levels.

The proposed side event jointly proposed by France and Japan and entitled “Air pollution in South East Asia: Trends, debates, and Solutions” will consist of a multidisciplinary panel discussion and Q&A with different experts to debate on past and on-going projects as well as solution-based initiatives (such as those from Research and Measurement, Monitoring Networks and Infrastructures, Training and awareness Raising).

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4jzkLi1jQmeboFNpUL5Tjw

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD) with Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD), Asia Development Alliance (ADA), South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), Association of Civil Society Development (ARGO),  Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP)

How can CSO monitor the SDGs progress in my country and compare the result internationally?  APSD and A4SD will present the People's Scorecard (PSC) as a tool to monitor and assess the SDGs progress at the national level as a supplementary to the exsting internationally comparable data produced by the UN, international organizations and research institutions.  The PSC is composed of the overview of the implemenation mechanisms and process as well as assessment of each of 17 SDGs by scording 1 to 5.

To register/attend:

Online registration:  http://bit.ly/2Q8RjqZ

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82556862075

Meeting ID: 825 5686 2075

Organizer(s) and partners: Foundation The London Story, University of Groningen, Concious Ad Network, Stop Funding Hate, Indian American Muslim Council, Center for Peace and Justice (BRAC), True Foot Print and Leadership4SDGs

Ensuring progress towards Sustainable Development goals requires that we are also able to create safe, inclusive and sustainable online societies. The round-table brings together industry partners, social media campaigners, influencers, political actors, government stakeholders, academia and thinkers to foster commitment towards safe and inclusive online spaces and in combating hate speech and disinformation.

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/268THjT4mHucQTtg6

Organizer(s) and partners: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), with the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (India) and the Australian Library and Information Association (Australia)

Governments, communities and individuals across the Asia-Pacific region will have many tough decisions to make if we are to achieve sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19. A precondition for doing this well will be to be well-informed.

This side event will draw on experience from civil society, government and the research field to explore the case for a holistic approach to promoting meaningful and equitable access to information, and the challenges to overcome. It will look, in particular, at the role that libraries of all types can play in helping the region, and the world, to build back better.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KZYgSQGgRVKTotG4VCufUQ

Organizer(s) and partners: UNCDF & ESCAP

For the past two years, ESCAP and UNCDF have been working together to advance women's entrepreneurship through innovative financing solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women entrepreneurs, however digital solutions and government support mechanisms have enabled enterprises to reposition, build resilience and recover. Join us to learn about innovations and on-the-ground experiences from across the Asia and the Pacific of how businesses are adapting to address the challenges brought by the pandemic. Regulators will also join the debate to highlight some of the reforms they put in place to support women MSMEs in their economic recovery. The side events aims to address SDGs 1, 5, 10 and 17.

To register/attend:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advancing-womens-entrepreneurship-in-the-face-of-covid-19-registration-142144049679

Organizer(s) and partners: Restless Development Nepal; Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN); VSO Nepal and Nepal SDG Forum

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives. Even before the crisis, the social, economic and political integration of young people was an ongoing problem. Now, unless urgent action is taken, young people are likely to suffer long-lasting impacts as a result of the pandemic. It is time to share, reflect and act.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82337627226?pwd=KytxZlV3WEZLTkR4bFZ6b3ZwamVLZz09

Meeting ID: 823 3762 7226

Organizer(s) and partners: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand

The significant socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 have highlighed vulnerabilities and inequalities across the Asia-Pacific, increasing the digital divide and underlining countries’ susceptibility to external shocks. In light of the Decade of Action for the SDGs and the need to Build Back Better, new and transformative development approaches are needed to accelerate our achievement of Sustainable Development. This side event seeks to provide a platform to highlight the importance of home-grown and locally-driven development approaches in driving forward SDG attainment, particularly Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, and to promote discussions on home-grown development approaches from across the Asia-Pacific region.

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/ro3VDkq6ntwZBkaEA

Organizer(s) and partners: UNDRR and UNDP; with ADRRN

The side event highlights the challenges faced by and opportunities available to the Least Development Countries that have recently graduated or are in the process of graduating. The session will highlight climate and disaster risk faced by such countries that threaten to roll-back development gains, while losing access to key funding instruments. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new dimension by inducing compounded impact of crises, threatening to reverse progress towards sustainable development.

Graduating countries in Asia-Pacific, hence, need to revisit their path dependency of development process, while charting and implementing their COVID-19 recovery plans.

Event page:

https://www.undrr.org/event/resilient-recovery-graduating-countries-asia-pacific-multi-dimensional-risk-lens

To register/attend:

https://undrr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__m4VnhBIRXyUFHQ40t-__w

Organizer(s) and partners: Embassy of Japan in Thailand, Embassy of France in Thailand, UNEP

The momentum for the decarbonization is growing all over the world, especially in Asia Pacific region, where a number of countries have declared their carbon neutrality targets and are incorporating them in their long-term strategies to reduce carbon emissions and in Nationally Determined Contributions.  The event is envisioned to explore pathways and mean of implementation to achieve these targets, and to encourage other countries in the region to raise their own levels of ambition in climate action in support of the goal to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YAIiBt75TwCA-UIfv0IW3g

Event page:

https://www.iges.or.jp/en/events/20210323-0

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-kJbEp8EcY

Organizer(s) and partners: The UN Asia-Pacific Issue-based coalition on Human Rights, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (IBC) composed of OHCHR, UNFPA, UN Women (co-chairs), and ESCAP, FAO, ILO, IOM, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNDRR, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC and WFP, with The Danish Institute for Human Rights; The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions; and Komnas HAM

This interactive side event will focus on the role of human rights in building back better after COVID-19 and in achieving the 2030 Agenda. The side event will aim to inspire governments and other stakeholders in the region to take action, by showcasing concrete initiative from different stakeholders the Asia-Pacific, illustrating how recovery with human rights at the heart is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing.

To register/attend:

https://www.humanrights.dk/events/online-side-event-asia-pacific-forum-sustainable-development

Organizer(s) and partners:  Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (AP-RCEM)

The progression of the global health crisis and its multi-dimensional impacts has undoubtedly exposed the incapacity of the dominant framework to respond to such emergencies because the system has been failing the people long before this pandemic.

Civil society and people’s organizations in the region have relentlessly engaged with governments, private actors, and other partners for a new and more importantly a better normal. They have challenged them to address systemic barriers towards a people-centered, proactive, and inclusive development.

This side event aims to engage on the demands, recommendations, and initiatives of CSOs and people’s organizations on the COVID-19 response under the framework of Development Justice and raise the discourse beyond the current pandemic.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuc-ipqzsoGd31LrPmPWV9birLMcZ0v8TK

Organizer(s) and partners:  Asia Climate Change Consortium, its members and partners

Climate Change is here and has impacted millions of people already.  Despite this, climate action is still wanting in order to lead the Asia and the Pacific into sustainable development.  This is why civil society organizations and their partners continue to fight for climate action and climate justice.  However, this has been made difficult due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Learn from these CSOs on how they faced the challenges of climate action in the time of COVID-19.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAodOqopjssEt1I5rXN7tL8eMIs1s…

Organizer(s) and partners:  The University of Queensland, Centre for Policy Futures & The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University

This event will discuss the June 2020 research report, ‘No One Left Behind: Implementing the SDGs in Australia. An investigation of international best practice in SDG governance’. (https://www.whitlam.org/publications/2020/6/17/no-one-left-behind-imple…).

Significantly, of the three case study countries highlighted in that report, two countries of SDG excellence are from the Pacific-Rim region: Indonesia and Mexico.

The event will involve an exciting panel discussion featuring the report’s authors and leading SDG Indonesian and Mexican policymakers. The report’s SDG Momentum Matrix will also be highlighted. This innovative tool can assist Asia-Pacific decision-makers identify key indicators of country SDG best practice implementation at the national level.

To register/attend:

https://www.whitlam.org/events/2021/3/23/best-practice-sdg-policy-amp-planning-examples-from-pacific-rim-countries

Organizer(s) and partners: Embassies of France and Japan in Thailand

Coastal cities are both subjects to and sources of all kinds of pollution that affect waterways and oceans in the region. Given their weight as marine litter producers, countries in the Asia-Pacific region are a big part of the problem, but also, part of the solution. Implementing interventions on the matter in the ocean-polluting Asian countries could significantly reduce global plastic leakage. The side event “Leaking cities in SEA: Plastic Marine pollution, co-organized by France and Japan, consists of a multidisciplinary panel discussion and Q&A session with different experts located in the SEA region, to debate on past and on-going projects as well as solution-based initiatives.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YaBsGxP1Q3-GHAytHBHRFA

Organizer(s) and partners: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade - Australia; Office of the National Water Resources - Thailand; Public Utilities Board - Singapore

The world is alarmingly off-track to reaching SDG 6 by 2030. Joint action is urgently needed to reverse this situation, especially when considering its highly cross-sectoral character and the implications (non-)achievement will have for almost all other SDGs, or the global need to deal with pandemics, climate change, etc.

The 'Water Dialogues for Results Bonn 2021' is an initiative aiming at developing political messages to feed into the global discussion on SDG 6 and particularly the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Water Action Decade in 2023. This side-event seeks to reach out to all countries of the region and learn about the water-related challenges and approaches.

To register/attend:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/water-dialogues-for-results-bonn-2021-accelerating-sdg-6-implementation-tickets-145587250385?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

Organizer(s) and partners:  CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness - Asia (CPDE Asia) and International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL) 

CSOs have long proven their significance in pushing for a rights-based, people-centered sustainable development. However, they still face challenges in pursuing their work with the global trend of shrinking civic spaces, especially in responding to COVID-19. Despite their important role as frontliners, CSOs and other peoples’ organizations are being threatened and attacked.

Given this context, “Civil Society at the Frontlines” shall discuss sectoral case studies highlighting the lack of enabling environment for CSOs, the crucial role of CSOs in fulfilling SDG 17, and the prospects for CSO sustainability and resiliency amid this crisis.

To register/attend:

https://realityofaid.org/apfsd-2021-side-event-civil-society-at-the-frontlines/

Organizer(s) and partners:  The Asia Pacific Faith-Based Coalition for Sustainable Development (APFC), including ACT Alliance, Arigatou International, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Soka Gakkai International, and World Vision International

Faith actors are channels of support, hope and information--the very resources that are so urgently needed as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. This side event will discuss how faith actors are helping communities to reach the SDGs and achieve sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will explore how to develop new partnerships with governments, international organisations, civil society organisations and among faith-based organisations themselves, strengthening solidarity at the local, regional and global levels while laying the foundations for a better future for all.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0pc-CspzksE9zaAp7CgAOG81i47wYQe-LB

Organizer(s) and partners:  ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN), Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), APRU, KPMG, and HKEx HKGFA

To meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030, ESCAP estimates that the Asia Pacific region will need to spend USD 1.5 trillion annually — the equivalent of five percent of GDP. Governments will not be able to provision this amount of money through public finance alone. To fill the gap, they must step up their cooperation with the private sector on sustainable finance. This will require countries across the region, especially developing countries, to strengthen their capital markets and make use of emerging sources of finance such as green bonds — now a US$500 billion market worldwide. This session will discuss sustainable finance & ESG investing prospects and challenges in the region, building off a paper jointly published by ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN), Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) and KPMG in June 2020 providing a snapshot of the sustainable finance landscape across Asia Pacific.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bpAFlJukT3-ATX9aUUWkhQ

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/o0mqQUQYK9c

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN), Asia Development Alliance (ADA), International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID), National Campaign for Sustainable Development - Nepal (NACASUD Nepal), Centre for Human Rights and Development (Mongolia), NGO Alga (Kyrgyzstan)

Come join us to learn more about challenges and opportunities for an inclusive and meaningful CSO engagement in Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) across different countries in the Asia-Pacific Region ,   their opportunities and Challenges in the Post COVID era, and about guidelines prepared by the UN and CSOs in support of effective CSO monitoring and review in national SDG processes.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z8nXSJsPSN6RvIoukV3sqQ

Organizer(s) and partners: ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN) Green Economy Task Force, and World Green Organisation

Sustainable development is the responsibility of all of us, governments, businesses, communities and individuals. Can we, in the Asia Pacific, develop a Green Deal that will include business innovation and ambition, new technologies and new industries in pursuit of green competitive advantage? How can business partner with governments and communities and individuals to go green? The green economy will require new thinking and this side event is an opportunity to contribute to the development of key principles, actions and recommendations.

To register/attend:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tcuutpjIuHNIUDQIVy6VQAox0NFI6kswU

Organizer(s) and partners: World Benchmarking Alliance, Partners for Review and Thai Union

The SDGs have emerged as the framework for businesses and investors to align their operations to the agenda of sustainable development, grow collaboration with governments to this end, and ultimately for the Asia-Pacific to build back better following COVID-19. In particular, the pandemic has emphasized the importance of companies embedding the central principle of the SDGs: leave no one behind. This can only be accomplished through a social transformation where businesses act ethically, respect human rights, and provide and promote decent work. Join this interactive, multi-stakeholder conversation to explore new tools, best practices, as well as opportunities to track progress (e.g. Voluntary National Reviews) with the objective of strengthening resiliencies in the region and leaving no one behind.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpceCprzIrHtaT0fMqUfcU1G4JPZnw3BEd

Organizer(s) and partners: Oxfam; UNESCO Chair on International Water Cooperation; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Transboundary river systems are critical sources of livelihoods and resilience for millions of communities. Inclusive governance of these river systems are important to support and build the recovery capacities among communities who are dependent on these river systems. This side event will share insights from the on-going Transboundary Rivers of South Asia (TROSA) project and highlight ways more inclusive regional water cooperation could improve and strengthen sustainable and resilient recovery among communities living in some of these transboundary river basins. 

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrf-Chqj4jH9U8H7S2LUaqyAib5cisiCNR

Organizer(s) and partners: French Embassy in Thailand and ESCAP

The side event will aim at launching an eLearning course exploring the latest knowledge approaches and techniques to raise ambition in tackling urgent environmental issues, specifically Biodiversity, Climate Change and Health in the context of COVID-19. The course will look into the interconnectedness of these issues and the need to engage on this topic in order to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and prevent future zoonoses.

To register/attend:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeh8YZhOfRs_iXz2_v0LPH_6ZuTFPJm7Afa-9jfQGiPvSjo3g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Organizer(s) and partners: Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), Network of Indigenous Women in Asia (NIWA), Asia Indigenous People’s Pact (AIPP), Light For The World, Asia Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF), Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA), Sanayee Development Organisation (SDO), ONE Singapore, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), SDGs Japan and Asia Civil Society Partnership For Sustainable Development (APSD)

COVID-19 and Faces of Inequality: It discusses the impact of COVID 19 and recovery plan on food and livelihood security of the most marginalized group like Indigenous communities, Dalits and DWD communities, small producers, street vendors etc. 

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYrduCsrzguEtMx00_VP4uyeK6VxEniHWZx

Organizer(s) and partners: ICEVI West Asia and Blind People's Association (India)

ICEVI West Asia has developed techniques of using mobility canes and human guides during pandemic like covids. Using this modified techniques shall enable person with visual impairment to maintain social distance and to avoid human touch while walking on the street either with the use of mobility devices or with the support of a human guide. The developed techniques are very simple and there is no additional financial cost and the same can be used every where. The Mobility Instructors and Special Educators shall be able to adopt these techniques while teaching to CBR workers or persons with visual impairment in respect of orientation and mobility.

To register/attend:

Online registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1R0kf7isuupHpssm5U6wYSAaOiW6jdvNe8MouSom1X6Y/edit

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83775085498

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) and International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS)

A regional conversation on how the pandemic has deepened the pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced youth in the region. The conversation will specifically highlight the importance partnership for SDGs among ecumencal youth movements in forging regional solidarity towards reducing inequalities in the areas of learning/education, opportunities for jobs and livelihoods, access to health care; and the cross cutting dimension of environmental sustainability and gender equality. Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and International Movement of Catholic Students among others are keen to work earnestly in making sure that no one is left behind and in particular that‘no youth is left behind' during pandemic and in a post-COVID19 society.

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/ArAABt5LYqm76JCE6

Organizer(s) and partners: UNOPS; Southeast Asian Energy Transition Partnership/ Global Wind Energy Council

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership brings together government donors, philanthropies, and Southeast Asian governments to the event. The event will deliver a platform for discussions of future of wind energy and current existing barriers for wind in Viet Nam through channels of

1. Strengthening the enabling policy environment for renewable energy of wind

2. Increasing public and private investments flow in wind

3. Increasing amount of RE integrated in smart girds

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvcu2tqDMvGNVk2AVo3E7GCA-g9RT1FHoP

Organizer(s) and partners: Leonard Cheshire (LC), International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNICEF, Asian Disability Forum (ADF)

As a leader in disability inclusion, Leonard Cheshire will facilitate a session on inclusive and sustainable economic growth solutions for the Asia-Pacific Region. This session will be co-hosted by ILO, The Nippon Foundation, UNICEF and Asian Disability Forum, and will discuss, with respect to SDGs 8 and 10, how to achieve ‘sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic’ with persons with disabilities placed at the centre of future economic development.

To register/attend:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disability-inclusive-sustainable-economic-solutions-for-the-asia-pacific-tickets-141955256995

Organizer(s) and partners: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Government of Fiji (TBC)

The environmental rule of law and enabling the role of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) can provide the necessary foundations for environmental protection, enforcement, create resilience to environmental crises, and help reduce environmental crime. At this time, Environmental Human Rights Defenders can also play an important part in sustainable recovery from COVID. The occurrence of COVID-19 highlights the vital importance of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Environmental degradation and biodiversity loss create the conditions for an increase in the type of animal-to-human zoonosis that can result in viral epidemics. This side event will discuss both the roles and challenges of Environmental Human Rights Defenders in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to SDGs 13 (climate action) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), but also more broadly.

To register/attend:
https://unep.webex.com/unep/j.php?MTID=mc89a4d466a6374a951bd1ac102214ee9

Organizer(s) and partners: All Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM-SDG)

This event will allow participants to learn on how the SDGs are implemented in a localised setting. This works by applying a bottom-up approach towards vulnerable and underpriveledged groups. Furthermore, challenges which are tailored only to certain constituents with specific and varied demographics are tackled differently despite being classified under similar SDGs. This would provide insights and reality on the ground.

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/H7hUSyXcNoAbcN658

Organizer(s) and partners: Regional Steering Group on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific and ESCAP

Understanding the true impact of COVID-19 on mortality requires reliable data that are not always available in a timely manner in many low-resource settings. Further, while we are far from universal registration of deaths in Asia and the Pacific, we also know that the deaths of some population groups are even less likely to be registered.

This side event will address two points: Civil registration as foundation for legal identity, and Civil registration and vital statistics as an accelerator for SDG achievement and building back better post COVID-19.

Event page: https://www.unescap.org/events/2021/apfsd8-side-event-invisibility-covi…

To register/attend:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccCbMXLpK9rROj_qowHBOnQ9UQ1JYR0g2UDVMTExESlJTQUlQVFc2MkQ0OS4u

Organizer(s) and partners: Eurasian Economic Commission

Along with the improved awareness of the synergetic interconnection among the goals of ensuring environmental responsibility, sustainable economic growth and strong international cooperation (SDGs 8 and 17), reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform for sharing experiences and best practices in the sphere of “green” economy principles implementation has gained momentum. Recognizing the “green” priority, the Eurasian Economic Commission holds the side event aiming at bring together the stakeholders representing business entities, public institutions, international organizations to redefine the “green” economy principles, reveal the most efficient instruments of their implementation and find the tools to tackle the prospective challenges.

Event page: http://eec.eaeunion.org/comission/department/dep_makroec_pol/events/greensideevent/

YouTube Live Stream:

https://youtu.be/lajWCyc3JLQ

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/GvWu7ZQ7NPe4jqQ6A

Organizer(s) and partners: Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia, Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism

The Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), members and partners have led in the development of SE-SDG Multi-stakeholder platforms meant to be collaborative initiatives between the social enterprise sector, government, and business sectors towards inclusive recovery of social enterprises and the marginalized sectors they serve. Join us in these multi-stakeholder platforms meant to focus on the recovery of the social enterprise sector in Asia-Pacific towards fulfilling their role in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs, especially the 9 SDGs linked to pandemic recovery.

A learning session and an invitation for collaboration on these SE-SDG Platforms will be on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 15:30 to 17:30 (Bangkok time) via Zoom. The meeting link will be sent after you register.

Website: https://www.isea-group.net/platforms/

Registration: https://forms.gle/1gWCSSrWZ9LzxQMh9

Organizer(s) and partners: Bandung City (Indonesia), City of San Fernando (Philippines), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)

Waste management remains a notable challenge in the region in achieving sustainable consumption and production as it requires holistic and cross-sector approaches. Even though there is no single solution for all, several cities and communities have demonstrated that Zero Waste systems are economically sound and effective solutions to waste problems while bringing significant economic, social and environmental benefits through combined source separation, banning single-use plastics, and encouraging public engagement. These models illustrate lessons for financial institutions, policymakers and civil society for accelerating transformations for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda while recovering sustainably from COVID-19.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O7aWendAS-amvblRgS_z0g

Organizer(s) and partners: Registrar-General, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand 

Co-organizers: Regional Steering Group on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific and UNESCAP

Member States and associate members of ESCAP came together in 2014 to agree on universal and responsive civil registration and vital statistics systems as critical to achieve inclusive, equitable and people-centered development. Understanding the true impact of COVID-19 on mortality requires reliable data that are not always available in a timely manner in many low-resource settings. Further, while we are far from universal registration of deaths in Asia and the Pacific, we also know that the deaths of some population groups are even less likely to be registered.

Legal identity for all, including birth registration is key to advance the 2030 Agenda commitment to leave no one behind. Legal identity is the basis for realizing many basic rights and opportunities. Furthermore, vital statistics based on civil registration records can be used by governments to measure progress and make evidence-based decisions and deliver services to improve people's lives.

Individuals need legal identity credentials to access healthcare (including vaccinations), education, economic opportunities, and representation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been further highlighted with national identification systems providing the backbone for distributing support in 2020 and beyond.

Despite national and universal efforts to “get every one in the picture”, disparities in coverage
of hard-to-reach and marginalized populations remain. We are now halfway through the
Decade and while significant progress has been made, we are still far from achieving our three
goals of universal registration, provision of legal documentation to all and production of vital
statistics based on civil registration records.

To register/attend:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFub…

Organizer(s) and partners: UN DCO, UNDRR, UNFPA, ESCAP, ILO, FAO, UNICEF, UN Women, WFP

“This virtual side-event will highlight the joint report on system-wide results of the United Nations development system in Asia-Pacific in 2020 and the importance of the new regional coordination architecture. It will be led by a high-level panel, including representatives of civil society and UN entities to present the key findings of the joint report on system-wide results of the United Nations development system in Asia-Pacific in 2020. It seeks to (i) Create awareness among APFSD participants, UN entities, Member States, civil society organizations and other partners on the work of the United Nations development system at the regional level, including support to work at country level; and (ii) Explore practical recommendations on how UN regional entities can better support the UN at the national level, Member States, civil society and other stakeholders in their work towards the Sustainable Development Goals during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

To register/attend:

https://undrr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P7m3shTGS0Oup-jHaV-e-Q 

Organizer(s) and partners: Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP); Network of Indigenous Women in Asia (NIWA); Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI); UNDP; FAO; The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment; The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC); International Land Coalition (ILC)-Asia; Indigenous Member of the Malaysian parliament (TBC); Mekong Region Land Governance (TBC)

Indigenous Peoples’ lands overlap with the Earth’s most biodiverse spaces. Indigenous knowledge systems are widely recognized as playing a key role in sustainably managing environments. Nonetheless, strategies which promote the agency and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples remain under recognized and rarely integrated into global strategies. This event will address the challenges facing Indigenous Peoples in the world of biodiversity conservation and highlight how alliances and Indigenous mobilizations are shifting global discourses. The event will also discuss the role of actors (state and conservation actors) in supporting a just and culturally appropriate transition towards rights-enabled solutions.

To register/attend:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdeqsqT0vEtbFdlhz1Eoxc_0Ker_386p3

Organizer(s) and partners: Center for Regional Research and Sustainability Studies (CRRSS)

This Discussion will focus on sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 in the Informal sector of India. In India, recent evidence suggests that wages of formal workers were cut by 3.6 percent, while informal workers experienced a much sharper fall in wages of 22.6 percent during the Covid-19-induced lockdown. COVID-19 has made it more difficult for the informal sector to modernize and improve its growth prospects. This discussion will focus on what are the means through which the informal sector can be uplifted from the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainable reform of the sector.

To register/attend:

https://forms.gle/DbPeapkkTQSzxjgK9