SDG 6 Acceleration Efforts Underway as Data Shows Targets Off Track - IISD

UN-Water convened a three-day event to discuss accelerating progress towards water and sanitation for all by 2030, and a report that indicates ambitions for 2030 remain off-track. Participants were briefed on the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework, upcoming high-level events on water, and the preparatory process for the 2023 UN conference for the midterm review of the Water Action Decade.

Over 30 UN organizations carry out water and sanitation programmes, and no single UN entity is dedicated exclusively to these issues, so in 2003, the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination endorsed UN-Water to play a coordinating role within the UN as it responds to water-related challenges. UN-Water Members and Partners gather together twice a year to discuss joint projects and other ways to collaborate to advance the global water and sanitation agenda. In March 2021, this meeting took place virtually due to the global pandemic.

 

On item on the agenda for the 34th UN-Water Meeting focused on the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework, which was launched in July 2020 to provide a platform for implementation of SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, including through country-level engagement pilot activities in eight countries: Bahrain, Costa Rica, Guinea, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Participants learned that best practices and lessons learned from the pilot will be showcased during an SDG 6 Special Event held in the context of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July 2021.

 

Also during the 34th UN-Water Meeting, participants reviewed the findings of the ‘Summary Progress Update 2021 on SDG 6.’ The report, launched on 4 March 2021, was produced by the Integrated Monitoring Initiative (IMI) on SDG 6, using the latest data on the indicators for each SDG 6 target. Among the findings highlighted:

  • Due to lack of data from many countries, it is not possible to produce a global estimation of water quality (SDG indicator 6.3.2). As a result, over 3 billion people are at risk because the health of their rivers, lakes, and groundwater is unknown.
  • On water stress (SDG indicator 6.4.2), water use efficiency is increasing, and we are currently using 17% of global water resources. However, this global average masks geographic disparities, with some regions using all of their water or using non-renewable water sources that will eventually run dry.
  • On water cooperation (SDG indicators 6.5.1 and 6.5.2), 129 countries are not on track to have sustainably managed water resources by 2030, and only 22 countries report operational arrangements for transboundary cooperation.
  • On SDG indicator 6.6.1 (ecosystems), Earth observations data show that one-fifth of the world’s river basins are experiencing rapid changes in the area covered by surface water.
  • On participation (SDG indicator 6.b.1), 109 countries have laws and procedures in place to involve communities in water and sanitation decisions, but only 14 are actually implementing those laws and realizing a high level of community participation in water and sanitation decision-making.

 

On the 2023 Conference on the Midterm Review of the Water Action Decade, the UN-Water Secretary said the Conference will take place at UN Headquarters in New York from 22-24 March 2023 at the highest possible level, and will be co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands. Five thematic dialogues will convene in addition to plenary sessions.

 

Speakers said the roadmap to the 2023 conference begins with the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on 18 March 2021. Other global events that will provide inputs for the Conference include:

  • First annual SDG 6 Special Event in July 2021 to review progress and trigger new commitments to advance action;
  • High-level symposium on water to be convened by Portugal during the UN Ocean Conference (date to be determined);
  • High-level International Conference in 2022 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan to discuss internationally agreed water-related goals and targets and the implementation of the decade of action for the SDGs, and support effective preparations for the UN Conference. It will include a focus on the key role of water, sanitation, and hygiene in addressing the “COVID-19 sanitary crisis” and
  • Preparatory meeting, November 2022, convened by UNGA President, to finalize themes for the five dialogues.

 

During the 34th UN-Water meeting, which took place from 15-17 March 2021, participants endorsed a proposal for the UN to convene a Groundwater Summit in December 2022, at the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France, aiming to improve the interface between science, policy, and practice. The proposed theme is “Making Invisible Visible.” UN-Water Members and Partners also agreed that “groundwater” will be the theme for both World Water Day and World Toilet Day in 2022. Ahead of the 9th World Water Forum in March 2022, a catalogue on groundwater management and governance will be developed.

 

During an Open Space-formatted session, one group proposed creating a working group on freshwater and biodiversity to explore the connections of SDG 6 with SDGs 13, 14 and 15 (climate action, life below water, and life on land). Another group suggested prioritizing actions to address transboundary water cooperation by mobilizing political will at the highest level, encouraging data exchange, and involving new actors including youth.

 

Find out more...

 

Go back

Partners News

New publication - Measuring Local People Perception toward Wildlife and Conservation at the Periphery of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, East Region, Cameroon

This study addresses the need to explore the attitude and perception of local residents toward wildlife and conservation. Questionnaires, surveys and field observations were used in data collection. A total of 400 people was conveniently selected in 16 villages from October to December 2015. Data analysis relied mainly on factor analysis and structural equation modelling in SPSS 21 and Smart-PLS software.

Read more …

MOP20 - Summary of the side event WWF- Parcs Gabon - Is conflict with forest elephants increasing in the Congo Basin and how can we enhance human / forest elephant coexistence?

The objective of this side event on 4 June 2024 was move away from rapid conflict mitigation and prevention towards to holistic and integrated coexistence programs between human and forest elephants in rainforest of the Congo Basin.

Read more …

International Youth Day 2024 "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development"

The theme for International Youth Day 2024 (12 August) is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” This theme highlights the key connection between digitalization and accelerating the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the crucial contributions of young people in this transformative process.

Read more …

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024

On 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided, in its resolution 49/214, that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The International Day observance will take place online on Friday, 9 August 2024. This year’s theme is: Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.

Read more …

CBFP- ECOSOC – DESA SD : The 2024 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), convened under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

CBFP, which is one of the oldest Type 2 partnerships in the United Nations system, registered in the ECOSOC and UN DESA partnerships, and strengthened in SDG 17, is calling on its partners to make the conclusions of the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development their own... the call is crystallised in advocacy for Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership with diverse stakeholders for sustainable developmen. In Fact, Partnerships are the glue for SDG implementation and is been essential to making the Agenda a reality.

Read more …

MOP20 Summary side event Towards legal, sustainable, and healthy wild meat value chains in Central Africa: progress insights from the SWM Programme

Side event organized by the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme on the 04/06 from 8h30 to 9h30 am. United Nations member states are committed to reducing hunger, improving health, and conserving natural resources through the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030, promoting sustainable wildlife management and equitable benefits. However, in Central Africa, the unsustainable wild meat trade threatens food security and biodiversity, making these goals challenging to achieve.

Read more …

MOP20 Summary side event SWM Programme - Legal Hub: A tool for analyzing the Legal Framework governing value chains in particular on wild meat

The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme presented its innovative Legal Hub at the recent 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. This event was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), from 3 to 5 June, 2024. A specific side-event titled "A Tool to Connect Different Sources of Law" showcased the Legal Hub’s critical role in enhancing the legal frameworks governing wildlife management across multiple countries, including the sub-region.

Read more …

MOP20 summary side event: Sharing Innovative Approaches by IITA, RIKOLTO and UCB in Agroforestry and Sustainable land use management for Communities

In this 20th meeting, the consortium comprising the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), RIKOLTO, and the Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB) actively participated in the sessions held from June 3 to 5, 2024, at the Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa. During a panel focused on agroforestry and agribusiness, the consortium presented solutions for sustainable and effective land management around the Itombwe Reserve and the Kahuzi-Biega National Park through two main themes...

Read more …

MOP20 summary side event WWF: A platform for useful information management and sharing for conservation and research

A platform named “Congo Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Database” combining several key sources of information has been developed by WWF to support the management and development of conservation and research projects. This tool has the advantage of being transversal to several possible topics and themes in the field of natural resource management.

Read more …

Results of the GEF Council meeting held in Washington yesterday, 20 June 2024: The GEF Council approves $736.4 million to address broad environmental needs...

Approximately 5% for Central African countries and the bulk for other geographical zones... towards an "Accelerator for the preservation of the Congo Basin forests and peripheries" towards Belém COP 30 Climate post Glasgow?

Read more …

Mapping the World’s Trees in Unprecedented Detail with AI – Land Carbon Lab

... WRI’s Global Restoration Initiative and researchers from Land & Carbon Lab have partnered with Meta to develop a groundbreaking AI foundation model that we’ve used to produce the world’s first global map of tree canopy height at a 1-meter resolution, allowing the detection of single trees at a global scale...

Read more …

Joint statement by the Franco-Gabonese facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership at the end of its 20th meeting of the parties

The 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP20) was a high point, marked by the participation of eight ministers from the Congo Basin and more than 600 participants, illustrating the importance and scope of our partnership. The CBFP proved once again that it is an essential forum for dialogue and cooperation. The diversity and commitment of the stakeholders present were a driving force for emulation and fruitful collaboration. Finally, the exemplary cooperation with the Congolese authorities greatly contributed to the success of this meeting.

Read more …

MOP20 - Final communique of the Regional Coalition of Civil Society for Forests and the Environment of the Congo Basin

Kinshasa, MOP 20 of the CBFP At the end of the proceedings, among other major resolutions, Ms Cécile Ndjebet, Champion of Forests and Champion of the Earth, Co-Leader of the CBFP civil society college, was elected by consensus to head the "Regional Civil Society Coalition for Forests and the Environment of the Congo Basin".

Read more …

Programme of the CBFP Scientific and Academic College's booth at the IUFRO24

The Scientific and Academic College of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is actively participating in the 26th IUFRO World Congress from 23 to 29 June 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden, with a booth located at A01:01 in Exhibition Hall A at Stockholmsmässan, Mässvägen 1, 125 80 Stockholm. Over the course of the week, a series of workshops will be held to present the platforms of forestry science in the Congo Basin and highlight the latest research, innovations and applied sciences.

Read more …

Capacity building needed urgently in Africa to avoid detrimental impacts of timber trade measures - ITTO

10 June 2024: ITTO has urged more attention to the need for capacity building and training in the Congo Basin to ensure that the region’s vital forest sector and timber industry will be able to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and other international trade measures.

Read more …

PRESS RELEASE - Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI) supports members and partners of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP)

It is with great respect and a deep sense of responsibility that we, the Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI), support the 20th Meeting of the Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (RDP20) which will be held from 3 to June 5, 2024 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This approach aims to strengthen our collective commitment to the sustainable management and conservation of the Congo Basin, a critical global resource, and to catalyze transformative actions that align with a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Read more …

USAID FABS Project: 4 captivating webinars in French and English on tourism and nature in the Congo Basin

The USAID FABS Project is organising 4 captivating webinars in French and English on the theme of nature-based tourism in the Congo Basin.  These events will take place on Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 June 2024. The aim of these webinars is to communicate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism in Central Africa, while promoting mutual learning for the development of tourism in protected areas. The sessions will focus in particular on studies carried out in the DRC, Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville.

Read more …

Rainforest Trust – the 129th member of CBFP: Welcome to our New Partner!

Libreville, Gabon 22 April 2024, Rainforest Trust has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Rainforest Trust is now one of 129 member countries and organizations working together in the Congo Basin Forest Partnership to promote sustainable resource management, combat climate change and its impacts, improve living conditions and protect the unique biodiversity of Central Africa’s tropical forest.

Read more …

20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the CBFP from 3 to 5 June 2024 in Kinshasa, DRC: registration now open!

The French-Gabonese Co-Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 3-5 June 2024. If you wish to attend the 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP) of the CBFP and related events, please register before 05 May, 23:59, 2024 by completing the form below and clicking on the button “register”. It will not be possible to attend the meeting without a properly completed registration procedure.

Read more …

Provisional programme of the MOP20

The 20th Meeting of the Parties to the CBFP (MOP20) will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from 3 to 5 June 2024. The MOP20 is organised by the Co-Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Please find the provisional programme of the 20th Meeting of the Parties of the CBFP (MOP20).

 

Read more …

MOP20: The CBFP launches registration for journalists

The French-Gabonese Co-Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 3-5 June 2024. If you wish to cover the 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) of the CBFP and associated meetings, please register before 16 May 2024 by filling in the form below and clicking on the "register" button.

 

Read more …

Information Note: CBFP Youth Forum from 31 May to 1 June 2024, Kinshasa, DRC

The "Youth Forum for the Forests of Central Africa 2024" is scheduled to take place over 2 days from 31 May to 1 June in Kinshasa. It will bring together 150 young people from Central Africa and Europe who are committed to protecting forests and preserving the environment. This forum is organised by the Franco-Gabonese facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), a 128-member initiative that serves as a platform for multi-sectoral dialogue on forest conservation. The Youth Forum will be a preliminary event to the CBFP Meeting of the Parties, which will take place from 3 to 5 June in Kinshasa, and will serve as a general assembly for its members.

Read more …

The CBFP supports the N'Djamena Declaration in action: The Republic of Cameroon and the Federal Republic of Nigeria sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Abuja, 19 April 2024, His Excellency Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, Federal Minister of the Environment of Nigeria and His Excellency Jules Doret Ndongo, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of transborder ecosystems and the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources along their common border of more than 1,500 km.

Read more …

Call for Proposals of Side Events at CBFP MOP 20

The Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics is pleased to launch a call for proposals to host side events during the 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP20) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from 3-5 June 2024. In line with the themes of MOP20 of the CBFP, side events provide opportunities for information exchange, dialogue, cooperation and the creation of synergies between CBFP partners. Deadline for submissions: 19 April 2024. Applicants for selected proposals will be contacted on 30 April 2024.

Read more …

Friday 19 April 2024 at 10:00 am - a major step forward - signing of the cooperation framework agreement between Cameroon and Nigeria

The Co-Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the "Signing Ceremony of the Framework Cooperation Agreement on the Conservation of Transboundary Ecosystems and Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources between the Governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon" will take place on Friday 19 April 2024 at 10:00 am at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. In conjunction with this signing ceremony, a technical round table on the implementation of the framework cooperation agreement on the conservation of transboundary ecosystems and the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources between Nigeria and Cameroon will be held at 12 noon on Thursday 18 April at the same hotel.

Read more …

The Passing away of Mrs Sylvie Louisette NGO YEBEL Epse FOUNGA, Communication Expert at the Executive Secretariat of COMIFAC

The Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) is deeply saddened to announce the death of Mrs Sylvie Louisette NGO YEBEL Epse FOUNGA, Communications Expert of Cameroonian nationality, at the COMIFAC Executive Secretariat. She was murdered and her body found on Sunday 7 April 2024 at around 8.30 am in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Read more …

Information Note: 20th Meeting of Parties (MOP20) of the CBFP, 31 May - 5 June 2024, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

The CBFP Youth Forum and Meeting of Parties will take place from 31 May to 5 June 2024 in Kinshasa and will bring together more than 700 stakeholders committed to preserving the forests of the Congo Basin. The Meeting of Parties and the Youth Forum will be co-chaired by Ambassador Christophe Guilhou (France) and Ambassador Flore Koumba Pambo (Gabon) and the current President of COMIFAC, His Excellency Mr Prosper Dodiko, with the participation of senior representatives of the DRC.

 

Read more …

CIDT: We’re recruiting for a Senior Consultant in Global Sustainable Development

CIDT wishes to recruit an enthusiastic, people-centred international development professional to join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team. To be considered for this post you will have an understanding and experience of global sustainable development work and be prepared to work both in UK and overseas. You will be qualified to master’s level in one or more of the following core areas of our work: Global Sustainable /International development/ Development Studies, Development Effectiveness, Gender and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Livelihoods, Natural Resource Management, Forest Governance or Education and Development and have expertise in the related fields.

Read more …

Ecological taxation How can a fiscal bonus-malus (feebates) mechanism be implemented?

This brief note sets out the principle of an ecological bonus-malus mechanism, designed to change behaviour by modifying the relative prices of products, while aiming for budget neutrality (no tax losses for the State). It applies in particular to the agricultural and forestry sectors, but can also be applied to other areas. We are currently working with various colleagues on the timber and cocoa sectors, and on an automated simulator with a user-friendly interface that can be easily used by government departments and their partners who would like to test the tool and, if necessary, implement it.

 

Read more …

COMIFAC is the new CBD centre for technical and scientific cooperation in Africa and ranks 4th worldwide

The Co-Facilitation of France and Gabon of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to announce the selection of COMIFAC by the CBD Secretariat as a centre for technical and scientific cooperation for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Framework for Biodiversity in Central Africa. With the highest score in Africa, COMIFAC ranks 4th in the world. The co-facilitation congratulates COMIFAC on this major distinction.

Read more …

First Dialogue between the College of Donors and the Scientific and Academic College (SAC) of the CBFP: strong mobilisation and strengthening of cooperation between the two colleges

On Tuesday 12 March 2024, from 16:30-18:00 CET, the first dialogue between the College of Donors and the Scientific and Academic College (SAC) of the CBFP was held in virtual form. Over 70 people participated actively in the dialogue. The aim of the meeting was to promote cooperation as well as scientific and academic dialogue on the forests of the Congo Basin as part of the implementation of strategic priority 1 of the 2023-2025 roadmap of the CBFP.

Read more …