December 2021 newsletter
All of us began 2021 in much the same manner as we had lived through 2020, in our homes under lockdown rules, doing our bit to help protect others and keep COVID-19 from spreading. However, this time around we had a glimmer of hope: a Covid-19 vaccine that would soon be approved for use. A return to some form of pre-pandemic life was in sight, but moreover, by accepting the vaccine, we could take a huge step towards protecting ourselves, our families and our communities.
With the vaccine rollout commencing in March 2021, come June, the UK was set to host the first of three major international conferences: the G7. Leaders from the G7 countries – as well invited guests Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa - arrived in Cornwall to discuss how to Build Back Better from the pandemic and create a greener, more prosperous future. The main item on the agenda was how to end the pandemic and prepare for the future: ‘to vaccinate the world by getting as many safe vaccines to as many people as fast as possible.’ And although vaccine rollouts in countries such as the UK, Iceland, Cambodia and China have been successful, there are still many countries struggling to obtain vaccines and others finding challenges in convincing their citizens to take the vaccine. There is still more that we can do. For the full outcomes of the G7, have a read here.
Following the Government’s decision to reduce ODA spending to 0.5% of GNI and in advance of the G7 Summit, along with the Chairs of eleven other All Party Parliamentary Groups, the APPG wrote to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on the UK Leadership to put people and planet at the centre of the world’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. In the letter, we asked that the Summit deliver transformative change and global action on issues such as human rights, global health, climate change, sexual and reproductive health, water, sanitation and hygiene, HIV and AIDs, antimicrobial resistance and tuberculosis and take decisive steps towards a successful COP26 in Glasgow in November.
In July, the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE 2021-2025, convened in London, co-hosted by Kenya. World leaders made 5-year pledges to support the work of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). As GPE Champions, we both lobbied the Government to stick to their previous commitment of prioritising girls’ education. The UK pledged £430m at the Summit, a welcome pledge but unfortunately short of the desired £600m which would ensure GPE could deliver transformation of education services in over 90 countries. This work could not be more vital given the impact and consequences of the pandemic on education systems around the world and we will continue to support and advocate for this cause.
Then just last month, from 1-13 November, the UK Government hosted COP26 in Glasgow. Almost 200 countries were represented and agreed to the Glasgow Climate Pact which will accelerate action on climate this decade and finally complete the Paris Rulebook. A full summary of the outcomes can be found here.
We are very proud that in preparation for COP26, the APPG conducted and produced its second inquiry, in partnership with the University of Sussex, this time on climate change and the SDG’s. Saving Resources: Actions that achieve both climate goals and the SDGs underlined the ability we have to tackle the climate crisis and advance progress on the SDG’s and argued that we should look to implement one plan that works for both people and planet, and that the SDGs provide us with the perfect framework for this. Our list of recommendations provided practical policy advice for governments, the UN, businesses and civil society on how they could tackle climate change and achieve the SDGs. We give our thanks again to the University of Sussex for their work on this report.
To support and discuss each of these key moments for development throughout the year, the APPG hosted a number of high-profile and productive meetings and events.
Beginning in February, the APPG in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce held its second ‘Business and the SDGs’ conference – this time virtual! – with panellists from Accenture, Vodafone and American International Group and keynote speeches from Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General, John Denton, Secretary General of ICC, and Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact.
We were then delighted to welcome Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, for a private briefing to discuss the work of UNDP in relation to covid recovery and progress on the SDG’s.
In advance of the G7, we hosted Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for a virtual meeting which looked at what to expect at the upcoming Summit. And in advance of COP26, we heard from Hiro Mizuno, UN Special Envoy on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments, on what to expect at the climate conference and the challenges that must be overcome to reach a sustainable and impactful agreement.
Throughout the year, we also held events with some of our key partners – Mercy Corps, Save the Children UK, DAI, Westminster Foundation for Democracy and Make My Money Matter – and fellow APPG on Women, Peace and Security. We are always interested in hearing from potential partners on issues linked to the Global Goals, so please do contact Alice Whitehead on appg-globalgoals@bond.org.uk should you feel your organisation aligns with our aims.
It has certainly been a busy and turbulent year, one which we hope will bring real change to the climate crisis and advancement of the SDGs, but there is still more work to be done. We are developing our programme of events for 2022 and look forward to seeing you then.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Theo Clarke MP Lord Jack McConnell
Co-Chairs, APPG UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development
APPG report: Saving Resources: Actions that achieve both climate goals and the SDGs
On 18th October, ahead of the COP26 Summit, the APPG launched its latest report Saving Resources: Actions that achieve both climate goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rewatch the launch event.
The pandemic has shaken the global economy, and countries have focused on tackling the social, economic and health crises posed by Covid-19. The enormous costs of the pandemic have put available resources for achieving the SDGs and fulfilling the Paris Climate Agreement under pressure. But it is essential for us to build back better. Our report outlines the actions that governments, businesses and civil society can take to simultaneously advance both of these important agendas, and we are grateful to the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) at the University of Sussex for their assistance in preparing the report. Download the report.
Upcoming events
How will the UK support Least Developed Countries to eradicate poverty and achieve the SDGs?
Between 23 and 27 January 2022 the UN will be holding the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha. The expected outcome of LDC5, a new 10-year programme of action for the LDCs, will be adopted at a critical time, falling within the last 10 years of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals across the LDCs.
The UK Government is expected to attend the Conference in January 2022. The conference presents an opportunity to follow up on COP commitments and create a stronger, more coherent offer on LDCs. This event will help APPG members understand the UK’s position and outline how the UK will support LDCs over the next decade to achieve the SDGs, overcome structural challenges, eradicate poverty, and enable graduation from the LDC category. The date will be confirmed in early January.
ICC Business Conference
After the success of our Business and the SDGs Conferences in 2020 and 2021, we are set to host another conference in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce in the first half of 2022. We very much hope to hold this conference in person and will announce the date in the new year.
We are organising a range of other events for 2022. Members will be notified in due course.
To keep up to date with events and news, be sure to follow us on Twitter and keep an eye out on our website.