Blog post #10: MSDI in the Asia Pacific
Towards the end of 2022, MSDI went out into our region for in-person GSDR engagements. We delved further into what we can learn from the 2019 GSDR, as well as messages that should be included in the 2023 GSDR.
Our first stop was the GSDR Regional Consultation Workshop for Asia and the Pacific, co-hosted by The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) in Makati City, Manilla.
Dr Dominique Coy from MSDI attended the consultation. Over the course of the two days of discussion, Dominique contributed insights from both Australia and the Pacific (based on our online pacific workshops). She highlighted the importance of understanding local context when it comes to the theory and practice of SDG implementation, as well as the need to engage and empower communities through SDG processes.
Many of the consultation attendees commented on the importance of the GSDR as an independent report on the SDGs and are looking forward to receiving guidance from the 2023 GSDR. Specifically, on how to localise and operationalise the theories and recommendations for SDG acceleration.
Reoccurring themes that emerged from the consultation centred on solutions and calls to action, they included:
- We need better Integrated governance (within and between countries)
- We need more Evidence-based policy for the SDGs
- More data needed to support and guide action
- Communities should be the ones to localise solutions (with assistance)
- There should be a greater focus on academia-led citizen science
- Indigenous ways of knowledge and practice should be prioritised
- We need to place more emphasis on inclusive approaches
- More focus on the interlinkages and trade-offs between goals
- Transitions should be framed as Just Transitions".
Our second stop was the 6th Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, co-hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva, Fiji.
Both Dr Dominique Coy and Dr Cameron Allen from MSDI attended the forum. During the two day event we heard from a variety of Pacific speakers about their reflections on the SDGs in the Pacific amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and pathways towards the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels and achieving the 2050 strategy.
On the second day of the forum, we ran a session “Crafting a message from the Pacific for the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR)” Dr Nacanieli Rika (University of the South Pacific - USP) moderated the session, whilst Dr Cameron Allen presented on the GSDR 2023. We were also fortunate to have Ms Camari Koto and Dr Eberhard Weber (both from USP) to provide reflections on the Pacific’s context and needs in relation to the report. All of the session and forum attendees were invited to provide comments during the session and via a survey. We thank all attendees for their input!
These trips provided us with exciting opportunities to talk about the GSDR and our regional engagements whilst making new (and saying hi to some old) friends from USP, PIFs, UNESCAP and the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Cities.
We are looking forward to continuing these regional conversations in 2023 and as always invite you to contact us if you would like to be involved in discussions!