Non-state actors helping reach SDGs
Non-state actors, including NGOs, think-tanks, media and private sectors, in developing countries like Bangladesh are playing a critical role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), experts said in a dialogue.
The non-state actors are contributing in this SDG journey through prioritising development agenda, implementing the targets, monitoring the delivery and ensuring accountability in the overall process, they said at the event in New York on July 11.
The Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Concern Worldwide, Oxfam International and The Hunger Project jointly organised the dialogue titled “Addressing an understated issue in the SDG discourse: contribution of the southern non-state actors”.
The event was organised to develop an improved understanding on the significant role played by the non-state actors of developing countries in implementing the SDGs.
The contribution of the non-state actors in the development discourse needs to be appreciated properly so that the governments and international development partners can forge a comprehensive strategy for SDG delivery, experts said.
The Citizen’s Platform took an initiative earlier this year to track the progress of SDGs in Bangladesh and capture the state of contribution of non-state actors in the SDG implementation process.
The platform has prepared SDG progress review reports on six goals and an overview report on the six SDGs identified for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2019.
A volume comprising executive summaries of these seven reports was shared at this dialogue to draw on global perspectives on Southern contributions in implementing the SDGs.
Towfiqul Islam Khan, senior research fellow of the CPD, gave the keynote presentation at this event. His presentation focused on tracking the changes in the priorities of civil society organisations (CSO) following the launch of the SDGs, identifying the CSO approaches and interventions in the area of “leave no one behind” and developing a framework for assessing contributions of the CSOs in delivering the SDGs.
The non-state actors in Bangladesh have been contributing in national development since the independence of the country, lawmaker Md Israfil Alam said as a panelist from Bangladesh.
The government is very willing to create more space and proper recognition of their contributions. He advised the non-state actors to focus more on actions than providing recommendations.
Debapriya Bhattacharya, convenor of the Citizen’s Platform and distinguished fellow of CPD, chaired the dialogue.
He said there was a lack of clarity about the role of non-state actors not only among the policymakers but also among the community of non-state actors. At the fourth year of the SDG journey, with the SDG Summit coming up, it is an opportunity to reflect upon the appreciation and adequacy of the role of non-state actors in delivering the SDGs, he said.
While speaking as a panelist, Minh-Thu Pham, executive director for policy at the United Nations Foundation, focused on the access of non-state actors to the policymakers and international stakeholders.
She suggested the non-state actors be more active in designing effective advocacy mechanisms towards influencing policies and adequate utilisation of their working space.
The dialogue was organised during the meeting of the United Nations HLPF 2019 which brought all global and national stakeholders of SDGs in New York.
The dialogue was participated by SDG experts and practitioners from various global and national development organisations.
Colleen Kelly, CEO, Concern Worldwide US, delivered the welcome remarks as the host organisation of the event.
