Statement on negotiating sustainable development in a COVID-19 environment – lessons learned

The attached statement, signed by a number of organizations, has been submitted to the 2020 ECOSOC High-level Segment, which will be guided by the theme for the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on “Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.”

The main message of the statement is to call for an ongoing negotiating mechanism that can meet, as required, in the context of COVID-19 between sessions of HLPF. While there is increasing coordination in the work of the UN and its entities (WHO, UNFPA etc), there is no similar existing mechanism for the UN General Assembly. Experience has shown, however, that the UNGA can set up bodies for specific purposes, eg Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals, if necessary.

In addition, the statement refers to the impact of the coronavirus on UN and other global meetings, eg postponing them or holding them virtually, and how these changes can negatively affect the participation of CSOs in the future.

On the holding of virtual meetings CSOs should be discussing how to work most effectively on their issues, particularly those that are considered by some to be more controversial, eg SRHR. In general, CSOs are used to working collectively, submitting joint statements and making joint oral interventions, but more preparation and coordination may be necessary going forward.

Submission of this statement clearly shows how important collaborative action can be. Commat decided only four days before the deadline for submission that a statement should be submitted. Organizations responded with comments at extremely short notice and, with help from Yvonne Bogaarts of Rutgers, Marge Berer of the International Campaign for Women´s Right to Safe Abortion and Annette Lawson of NAWO a final version was circulated for signature with only one-day for organizations to sign it. A major problem then arose insofar as, through a glitch on the relevant UN CSO-Net website, it was only possible to submit a 500-word statement (rather than the longer version that had been prepared). The International Planned Parenthood Federation, with help particularly from Preethi Sundaram, and submitted a shortened version, that Marge had edited down very quickly indeed. Such collaboration could become even more important along the rocky road ahead, as ways of working may change and unanticipated opportunities and obstacles may be encountered.

Finally, Commat would like to thank all those who contributed their time, their expertise, and above all their support in making it all possible.