Stakeholder Engagement .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform

Major Groups and other stakeholders

It is a well-established principle that sustainable development cannot be achieved by governments alone - it requires the active participation of all people. The Major Groups, representing key sectors of society, help channel the engagement of citizens, economic and social actors, and expert practitioners in United Nations intergovernmental processes related to sustainable development.

Since 1992, the Major Groups structure has provided a platform for interaction with UN Member States, as well as engagement in the follow-up and review of sustainable development commitments. Throughout 2015 and beyond, the role of Major Groups and other stakeholders will be critical to ensure broad participation and inclusion of diverse perspectives, in particular in connection with the negotiation and implementation stages of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in conjunction with the High Level Political Forum (HLPF). [Read more]

Questionnaire on follow-up and review

Paragraph 90 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda requested the Secretary General, in consultation with Member States, to prepare a report for consideration at the current 70th session of the General Assembly in preparation for the 2016 meeting of the HLPF which outlines critical milestones towards coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review at the global level.

In order to informally contribute to the reflection, Major Groups and other Stakeholders are invited to provide their views and inputs on these issues by completing an online questionnaire available at: http://goo.gl/forms/KXWkLSs153.

Please note that the deadline for providing inputs is midnight on Sunday, 15 November 2015. The inputs and responses received will be made available on this website.

Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group for the UN inter-agency task team on science, technology and innovation for the SDGs

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development decides that the United Nations inter-agency task team will work with 10 representatives of civil society, the private sector and the scientific community to prepare the meetings of the multi-stakeholder forum on science, technology and innovation for the SDGs, as well as in the development and operationalization of the online platform. In ensuring openness and inclusion in the process, UN DESA-DSD and UNEP on behalf of the Inter-agency task team are hereby inviting interested and qualified representatives of civil society, the private sector and the scientific community to submit their application by 25 October 2015, by completing an online form.

These 10 representatives from civil society, the private sector and the scientific community will be appointed by the Secretary-General for periods of 2 years, taking into consideration geographical and gender balance and ensuring a mix of disciplinary expertise capturing science, technology and innovation aspects across the full range of the sustainable development agenda. The 10 representatives will serve in their independent, personal capacity and shall have internationally recognized excellence in their field or fields of expertise. Preferably, applicants shall have a demonstrated understanding of international processes related to science, technology, innovation and sustainable development. Further consideration will also be given to those applicants who have exhibited the ability to effectively collaborate with members of civil society, the scientific community and private sector and work with High Level representatives from all sectors toward policy development. The role is considered voluntary, and is not subject to remuneration.