[2022] Sustainable Development Transformation Forum

Documents

CONCEPT NOTE (updated as of 22 October 2022)

AGENDA (updated as of 27 October 2022)

INFORMATION NOTE (updated as of 16 October 2022)

SPEAKERS AND MODERATORS' BIOGRAPHY (updated as of 9 November 2022)

PHOTOS (updated as of 31 October 2022)

INCHEON COMMUNIQUÉ (updated as of 15 November 2022)

 

Background

Established in 2011, the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) is part of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). UNOSD contributes to building, exchanging, and facilitating the use of knowledge in support of sustainable development.

One of UNOSD’s flagship activities to fulfil this goal is the annual Sustainable Development Transformation Forum (SDTF), which normally gathers around a hundred people in Incheon City at the end of October every year. However, due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the SDTF had to be held online only over the last two years. This edition of the SDTF will be an opportunity for UNOSD to have direct contact again with its traditional international audience composed of national government officials and experts involved in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, and of civil society and private sector.

As in most of previous editions of the SDTF, this year’s Forum will follow the thread of the next High-level Political Forum that, in line with the Resolution A/RES/75/290B defining the HLPF 2023 under the auspices of ECOSOC, will be under held the overarching theme Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels. The SDTF will also feature the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will go under in-depth review during the HLPF in July 2023, namely SDGs 6 on clean water and sanitation, 7 on affordable and clean energy, 9 on industry. innovation, and infrastructure, 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and 17 on partnerships for the Goals. This edition of the SDTF will also strive to identify ways to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while taking into account the different and particular impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across all the Sustainable Development Goals.

As well, also in line with in line with the Resolution A/RES/75/290B adopted by the General Assembly on 25 June 2021, and in support of its paragraph 17, the SDTF will pay particular attention to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in countries in special situation. Focus shall especially be placed on the Sustainable Development Goals that will go under review during the HLPF 2023 as well as on their interlinkages, particularly in African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations, while also considering challenges faced by middle-income countries. In the same vein, the SDTF will seek the participation of, interaction between, and inputs from a wide range of policy makers and policy shapers, including experts, practitioners, academics, representatives of the national, subnational, regional and international organizations, the civil society and other stakeholders who are likely to contribute to the strengthening of the science-policy interface.

 

Forum Objectives and Contents

The overarching objective of this edition of the SDTF is closely linked to the HLPF 2023, with the aim of offering a platform for capacity building, policy dialogue and knowledge sharing for accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels. The SDTF will aim to achieve a better understanding of success, challenges, lessons learned, and good practices related to the implementation of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these and across all the SDGs and identify ways to accelerate both the recovery from coronavirus disease and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual SDTF has brought together a hundred or so participants from all over the world to share their knowledge and experience over four days in Incheon City, South Korea. While the SDTF could only take place online over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is with great delight that UNOSD announces that the Forum will be held in its original in-person format in Incheon City from the 25th to the 28th of October 2022.

 

Methodology

The Forum will consist of several interrelated modules, each covering concepts and issues of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs, of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17 in particular, as well as challenges and solutions regarding the swift recovery from COVID-19 and accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda at all levels.

It will consist of formal presentations by international experts, scholars, practitioners, and actors followed by Q&A and discussions. While most of the sessions will take place in plenary, group work and breakout sessions may also be used as needed. A half-day field trip to see different projects illustrating the Korean experience in implementing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs is foreseen.

The Forum will take place in person.

 

Target Audience

The Forum aims to bring together an international audience composed of national government officials and experts responsible for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, and of civil society and private sector. The Forum will also be open to other non-government experts working in the areas of SDG implementation at the national, regional, and local levels. It will also welcome academia, youth, and other interested stakeholders to ensure an inclusive and integrated discussion on sustainable accelerated solutions for COVID-19 recovery and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals at all levels.

The Forum will particularly promote and encourage participation of representatives from countries in special situation, particularly African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations, most of which also being part of UNOSD’s priorities.

 

Dates and Time

The Forum will take place in Incheon City from 25 to 28 October 2022.

 

Theme

As indicated above, the theme of the 2022 Sustainable Development Transformation Forum will be Accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels. 

 

Language

The Forum will be conducted in English.

 

Outputs and Follow-up

The Forum will result in a communiqué ―the Incheon Communiqué― summarizing the key messages which participants would like to convey to the international community regarding the successes, lessons learned and good practices they identified in relation to the implementation of the selected SDGs as well as the main theme of the Forum, i.e., accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.

As well, a Forum report documenting the presentations and discussions on the entire integrated agenda will be produced.

In addition, a publication going well beyond the Incheon Communiqué and the Forum report will be produced during the weeks following the Forum. The latter will be composed of articles complementing, expanding and delving more deeply into the main themes explored and discussed during the 2022 SDTF in a more substantial and analytical manner. The publication will offer a reflection to the international community and the general public regarding these topics to be discussed during the next HLPF in July 2023.

Both the Incheon Communiqué and the 2022 SDTF Publication will be published and posted on UNOSD’s Website. 

 

Programme and Agenda

 

Day 1 (25 October 2022)

Opening of the Forum 

Moderator: Mr. Jean D'Aragon, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD

Welcome Remarks:  

• Mr. Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (pre-recorded video)
• Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office, United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD)
• Mr. HanSeung Kum, Deputy Minister for Climate Change and Carbon Neutral Policy, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
• H.E. Ambassador Mr. Jehak Jang, Ambassador for International Relations of the Incheon Metropolitan City
• H.E. Ambassador Mr. Léon Faber, Deputy Executive Director, Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF)

Setting the Stage:

• Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future
  • SETTING THE STAGE - presenting a world of contrasts, paradoxes and opportunities

Keynote Address:

• Ms. Irena Zubcevic, Director, Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future, formerly Chief of Intergovernmental Policy and Review Branch, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination, UN DESA
  • In which world would you rather live?

Straight Talk: Geopolitical realities and COVID-19 impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of SDGs

Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Speakers:  

• Mr. Narantsogt Sanjaa, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Economy and Development, Mongolia
  • Geopolitical realities and COVID-19 impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of SDGs
• Mr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, Director General of the National Development Planning Commission, Ghana
• Mr. Jordy Vilchez Astucuri, National Director, Foresight and Strategic Studies, National Center for Strategic Planning (CEPLAN), Peru
  • Geopolitical realities and COVID-19 impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of SDGs
• Mr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, Director, economic and social sectors, and progress monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal
  • Geopolitical realities and COVID-19 impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of SDGs-Case of Nepal

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Theme: SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

Moderator: Ms. Dora Almassy, PhD, Independent Sustainability Consultant

Speakers:  

• Mr. Peter King, Senior Policy Advisor, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Regional Centre, Bangkok
  • Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG-6)
• Ms. Yujeong Kim, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD
  • SDG 6 Policy Support System (SDG-PSS): Creating evidence-based policies and practices for water-related SDG success
• Mr. Raymond Saner, Professor Titular, Organisation and International Management, Basle University
  • Clean Water and Sanitation: SDG 6
• Atty. Jo Kristine Celera-Revil, Manila Water Company Inc.
  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Theme: SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Moderator: Mr. Michael Williamson, Chief of Sustainable Energy Development Section, Energy Division, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)

Speakers:  

• Ms. Jacqueline Cottrell, Green fiscal policy consultant, Freelance Associate, Green Budget Germany (online)
  • Responding to rising global energy prices: Mobilising revenue through environmentally related taxes - The example of fossil fuel extraction in Senegal
• Ms. Radia Sedaoui, Chief of the Energy Section, Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster, UN Economic Social Commission West Asia (UN ESCWA)
  • Enabling the Just and Inclusive Energy Transition in the Arab region
• Ms. Sun-Jin Yun, Professor of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University, South Korea
  • Affordable and Clean Energy
• Mr. Suneel Pandey, Director, Environment & Waste Management, The Energy Resource Institute (TERI)
  • Status of waste to energy projects in India

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future; Simon Høiberg Olsen, Senior Research Manager, Integrated Sustainability Centre, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

Climate Change Publication Launch

Document: Overview of Climate Change Mitigation Efforts in ASEM Partner Countries

Moderator: 

• Ms. Grazyna Pulawska, Associate Director, ASEF

Opening Speaker:  

• Mr. Michael Siegner, Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam

Speakers:  

• Ms. Dora Almassy, Researcher
  • Overview of climate change mitigation efforts in ASEM partner countries: With an outlook on circular economy transition
• Mr. Peter King, Senior Policy Advisor, IGES Regional Centre, Bangkok

 

Day 2 (26 October 2022)

Theme: SDG 9 - Resilient Infrastructure, Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization, and Innovation

Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Speakers:  

• Ms. Selin Dilekli, Strategy and Budget Expert at the Presidency of Strategy and Budget Under Presidency of the Republic of Turkey
  • Building Resilient infrastructure in Türkiye
• Ms. Lichia Saner-Yiu, Professor, Organisation Development & Institutional Learning, President of the Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development(CSEND)
  • SDG 9 – Resilient Infrastructure, Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization, and Innovation

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion: 

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Theme: SDG 9 (contd.) - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Circular Economy – Innovation and Digitisation as Enablers for SMEs

Moderator: Ms. Grażyna Pulawska, Associate Director, Governance & Sustainable Development Department, Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)

Speakers:  

• Ms. Hyun Jee, Policy Team Leader, ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC)
  • SMEs’ Linkage with Sustainable Industrialization: Key Takeaways of the Asia Europe Environment Forum ( ENVforum ) on “Circular Industry: Innovation & Digitization as Enablers for SMEs”
• Mr. Atsushi Watabe, Programme Director, Sustainable Consumption and Production, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) – (online) 
• Mr. Admen Hassan, Head of SME Academy, Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), SME Bank in Malaysia
• Ms. Lidia Stępińska-Ustasiak, Area Leader in International Collaboration and Partnerships, Center for Foresight and Internationalization, Łukasiewicz Research Network
  • Capacity Development for Circular Economy: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Circular Industry – Innovation and Digitisation as Enablers for SMEs
• Ms. Kuntum Melati, Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia
  • Challenges and Opportunities for SMES in Twin Transition

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderators: Mr. Laszlo Pinter, CEU & IISD and Ms. Grazyna Pulawska, ASEF

Theme: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Moderator: Mr. Jean D’Aragon, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD

Speakers:  

• Ms. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governance Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC)
  • Sustainable Cities and Communities Asia – Pacific Experience
• Mr. Sugath Yalegama, Additional Secretary (Policy and Admin) at the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Sri Lanka
  • ACCELERATING THE RECOVERY FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT ALL LEVELS
• Mr. Laszlo Pinter, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University (CEU), Senior Fellow, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
  • SDG 11: The potential of nature-based solutions
• Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Government of Pakistan
  • PAKISTAN Floods 2022 and Beyond

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderators: Ms. Grazyna Pulawska, ASEF

Theme: SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals

Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Speakers:  

• H.E. Ambassador Mr. Léon Faber, Deputy Executive Director, Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
• Mr. David Horan, Postdoctoral researcher at University College Dublin’s School of Politics and International Relation
  • Leveraging SDG interlinkages for transformative actions through evidence-based partnerships
• Ms. Kuntum Melati, Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia
  • Building Partnership to advance the Sustainable Development Goals
• Mr. Sachin Shukla, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Director-General, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
  • Global Green Growth Institute: Impact through Partnerships

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderators: Mr. Michael Siegner, Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam and Ms. Grazyna Pulawska, ASEF

 

Day 3 (27 October 2022)

Theme: Achieving SDGs in fragile contexts: countries in special situations, conflict and post-conflict countries

Moderator: Mr. Jean D’Aragon, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD

Speakers:  

• Mr. Miloš Prica, Ambassador at Large, Chairman of the Council for the follow up of the SDG Implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Agenda 2030 in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Mr. David Smith, Coordinator of the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), University of the West Indies (UWI) – (online)
  • SDGS in SIDS post COVID-19
  • Attaining the SDGs for SIDS & LDCs
• Ms. Portia Dugu, Acting Pacific Regionalism Adviser, Pacific Island Forum
  • Achieving SDGs in fragile contexts: countries in special situations
• Ms. Radia Sedaoui, Chief of the Energy Section, Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster, UN Economic Social Commission West Asia (UN ESCWA)
  • Achieving SDGs in Fragile Contexts: countries in special situations, conflict and post-conflict countries

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Straight Talk: Transformative actions dealing with synergies and trade-offs with special emphasis on the goals under review (6, 7 ,9, 11 and 17)

Moderator: Mr. David Horan, Postdoctoral researcher at University College Dublin’s School of Politics and International Relation

Speakers:  

• Mr. Raymond Saner, Professor Titular, Organisation and International Management, Basle University
  • Transformative actions dealing with synergies and trade- offs with special emphasis on the goals under review (6, 7, 9, 11 and 17)
• Mr. Michael Williamson, Chief of Sustainable Energy Development Section, Energy Division, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)
• Simon Høiberg Olsen, Senior Research Manager, Integrated Sustainability Centre, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
  • Transformative actions dealing with synergies and trade- offs with special emphasis on the goals under review (6, 7, 9, 11 and 17)
• Ms. Ramona Aracely de León Rodas, Director of Public Management for Development at the Secretariat of Planning and Programming of the Presidency (SEGEPLAN), Government of Guatemala
  • Transformative actions dealing with synergies and trade- offs with special emphasis on the goals under review (6, 7, 9, 11 and 17)

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Theme: Sustainable development governance: is it fit for purpose?

Moderator: Ms. Soon-ae Park, Professor, Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University; member of UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA)

Speakers:  

• Mr. Keping Yao, Senior Governance and Public Administration Expert, United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), UN DESA
  • Promoting Effective Governance for Realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future
  • The 2030 Agenda, the SDGs and (Good) Governance
• Ms. Lichia Saner-Yiu, Professor, Organisation Development & Institutional Learning, President of the Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development(CSEND)
  • Process Accountability for Good SD Governance
• Mr. Louis Meuleman, Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), Founder/Director, Public Strategy for Sustainable Development and visiting professor at the Public Governance Institute of the University of Leuven, Belgium – (online)
  • Sustainable Development Governance: Is it Fit for Purpose?

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Theme: SDG Summit as lever for accelerated action

Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

Speakers:  

• Ms. Marianne Beisheim, Senior Associate, Siftung Wissenchaft und Politik (SWP), The German Institute for International and Security Affairs
  • 2023 SDG Summit as lever for accelerated action
• Mr. Friedrich Soltau, Chief, Intergovernmental Policy and Review Branch, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC), UN DESA (video)
  • SDG Summit as lever for accelerated action
• Mr. Serge Mezang Akamba, Minister Plenipotentiary, Counselor Permanent Mission of Cameroon to The United Nations
  • SDG Summit as lever for accelerated action
• Mr. Louis Meuleman, Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), Founder/Director, Public Strategy for Sustainable Development and visiting professor at the Public Governance Institute of the University of Leuven, Belgium (online)

Interactive Q&A and Small Groups Discussion:  

• Moderator: Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant, co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future

 

Day 4 (28 October 2022)

Closing Session

Moderator: Mr. Jean D’Aragon, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD

Closing Keynote:

• Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future
  • The SDG Summit – powered by other events: Manage expectations or challenge with ambitions

Presentation of the 2022 Incheon Communiqué:

• Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, UNOSD consultant co-facilitator of the SDTF, Senior Advisor on Governance of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future and Mr. Jean D’Aragon, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD

Closing Remarks:

• Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office, UNOSD
• Ms. Laure du Teilhet, Director, Governance and Sustainable Development Department, ASEF

 

Organisers

The 2022 SDTF is organized by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) of UN DESA, Division for Sustainable Development Goals (UN DESA-DSDG), in collaboration with the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

 

Contact Information

For any questions or comments about the forum, please contact Mr. Jean D’Aragon, Senior Sustainable Development Expert, UNOSD at daragon@un.org and/or Mr. JinHyun Lee, Team Assistant, UNOSD at jinhyun.lee@un.org.