CALL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is convening the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) 2019 in Bangkok on 27 – 29 March 2019.

This is the sixth year of the APFSD. Each year, it is organized as an inclusive inter-governmental forum in line with UN resolutions. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are invited to contribute to the regional development agenda and make recommendations.

Since its inaugural session in 2014, the APFSD has brought governments, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders together in preparing for the High-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF). In 2019, the HLPF will be organized from 9 to 18 July 2019 at United Nations Headquarters, New York, to be held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.

High levels of commitment and proactive action by CSOs in this region has boosted the quality of dialogue at the APFSD, the HLPF and other global forums and strengthened civil society organizations on the 2030 Agenda across the globe.

CSOs are invited to apply to engage in these processes through the following events:

The Asia-Pacific People’s Forum on Sustainable Development:

24 – 26 March 2019 in Bangkok

The Asia-Pacific People’s Forum on Sustainable Development (APPFSD) will be organized by civil society (Asia-Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (AP-RCEM), in collaboration with the ESCAP and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) as a preparatory meeting for the APFSD.

The Asia-Pacific People’s Forum on Sustainable Development 2019 will be a forum for civil society organizations to work together and consolidate their positions and recommendations for a regional sustainable development agenda. Asia-Pacific CSOs from different sectors and countries will explore common ground and actions, develop common messages and coordinate strategies for more effective participation in the national, regional and global intergovernmental processes on sustainable development. The CSO Forum invites applications from nationally registered civil society organizations to work with others to:

1. Foster the sharing and learning from the variety of experiences of organizations and constituencies and to enhance capacity of civil society participants on sustainable development at the national, regional and global levels, and on the opportunities and modalities for engaging these processes, including identifying and dealing with key systemic issues/barriers to the achievement of sustainable development;
2. To help build an understanding of sustainable development as a comprehensive whole with strong inter-linkages across its various dimensions and components; therefore to also link the work of various other CSO campaigns, peoples’ movements, grassroot constituencies, scientific and academic communities across national borders;
3. Dialogue on the structure and content of the APFSD with its theme “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality in Asia and the Pacific” as well as UN Environment Assembly , formulate joint positions, as well as strategize interventions at the APFSD, HLPF, UN Environment Assembly and other processes; and
4. Reflect on the work and structure of Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism and agree on joint actions and follow up to civil society positions adopted to strengthen and support each others’ ideas, plans and actions across national borders.

Those seeking to attend the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development must attend this preparatory forum (unless they are already part of their official national delegations).

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD 2019):

27 – 29 March 2019 at the United Nations Conference Centre Bangkok

This year, the APFSD will address the theme “’Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” and on the cluster of SDGs to be reviewed at the HLPF – in accordance with General Assembly resolution 70/299:

● Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
● Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
● Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
● Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
● Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
● Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The APFSD agenda will address
(1) Regional perspectives on the implementation, follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including in depth review of the theme and cluster of goals; and
(2) Strengthening implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific, including the consideration of a draft regional road map for implementing the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific.

Other events will precede the APFSD, and will be announced separately.