In support of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the global follow-up and review process which is centralized around the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Division for Sustainable Development (UN-DESA), in collaboration with ESCAP, and the United Nations Office for Partnerships, is organizing an Expert Group Meeting in the Asia and Pacific region on "Developing Partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals", which is taking place on 28 November 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. [More information]

The following online discussion will directly feed into the meeting, which has four inter-related sessions. To join the discussion, click on the sessions to which you would like to contribute and address the various issues that have been outlined. To contribute, please first Sign in.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was the result of the largest, and most inclusive, consultation the United Nations has ever convened, with input and buy-in from all member States of the United Nations, the entire United Nations system, scientific communities, business leaders, civil society organizations, and millions of people. This has ensured that the 2030 Agenda and the 17 SDGs is a fully integrated action plan for addressing the most pressing issues of our generations - a plan which we can achieve by 2030, as long as its tackled with the same impetus as it was conceived - together, working in true partnership.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships call for new governance models as compared to traditional development projects, while respecting national priorities in host countries. Partnerships working towards sustainable development and in support of the SDGs, aimed at spurring economic growth, environmental sustainability and social equity, should be consistent with national laws, be fully aligned with national development strategies and the priorities of countries where they are implemented, bearing in mind the relevant guidance provided by governments.

In addition, a partnership should aim to include a broad spectrum of stakeholders from various sectors into its governance models, structures and stakeholder and community engagement efforts. This will not only ensure accountability and transparency to its beneficiaries, but also allow the partnership to draw expertise and solutions to its problem while addressing the three dimensions of sustainable development.

Managing partnerships means building mutual understanding, fostering respect, focusing on solving a common challenge, and driving a productive relationship. In order for a partnership to have a lasting impact, they require long-term stakeholder commitments, sustained funding, ongoing resourcing and consistency of personnel to help ensure their success.

A single-sector leadership of a partnership implies a variety of benefits, but also risks. The main concern is that the lead sector’s view would dominate (intentionally or otherwise), which runs counter to the spirit of trust, and openness, which is required to foster collaboration and innovation. On the other hand, a multi-stakeholder approach to a governance structure could offer a model for preventing and managing conflict of interest.

Guiding questions

• What are some of the processes, and tools, which ensure feedback and ownership from partnership stakeholders and beneficiaries?
• What are some of the existing, and successful governance, structures and models for accountability for multi-stakeholder partnerships, and how can these models be improved?
• How do partnerships engage various constituencies, including local communities, in shaping/planning its objectives and deliverables?