Conference on early actions to achieve SDGs in Asia this week in Marawila

Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Gamini Jayawickrama Perera will deliver the opening address at the two-day regional conference which will discuss the foundational steps that need to be taken in the next 1,000 days to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia by 2030. 

The event will take place on 18-19 at Club Palm Bay, Marawila.

This regional dialogue – Starting Strong – the first 1,000 days of the SDGs is hosted by the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals. The conference will include 60 participants from 10 Asian countries as well as regional bodies and networks to mobilise action towards a transformative, sustainable agenda. 

Topics covered include: Integrating the SDGs into national plans and across the three pillars of the SDGs (social, economic and environment); mobilising partnerships and resources; and ensuring inclusion, participation and accountability.

This regional dialogue is one of three taking place globally. The first dialogue took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 12-13 April, and the final dialogue will take place in Bogota, Colombia, from 14-15 June. The events will contribute to amassing knowledge, building momentum and motivation and creating partnerships that can be used to steer the implementation of the SDGs.

The key messages, ideas and critical challenges highlighted through the event will feed into discussions in New York during the High Level Political Forum in July – the first official review mechanism since the launch of the SDGs in January.