National SDG Stakeholder Forum

19th of October, 2018
On the 19th of October, 2018 the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Environment (DCCAE) held the 2nd National SDG Stakeholder Forum.

A fundamental feature of the 2030 Agenda is the inclusive and active voice stakeholders held in both the negotiation and adoption of the Agenda. To achieve sustainable development and particularly the targets and commitments set out in the 17 SDGs will require not only action by the Government but all individuals across society. As the government body responsible for the implementation of the goals - the DCCAE has agreed to host four National Stakeholder Forums to bring together various different sectors working on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event was opened by highlighting what Ireland submitted at the Voluntary National Review (VNR) in July at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF): https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Ireland%20Voluntary%20National%20Review%202018.pdf
As the morning progressed, the audience had an opportunity to hear from various speakers about ‘Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Scale Responsibility 2017-2020.

Breakout sessions:
The various stakeholders then had an opportunity to share their opinions on the following three topics:
Raising national awareness of, engagement in and participation in the SDGs.
What can government do to advance implementation and take up of the SDGs.
Ensuring that the Forum is inclusive and leaving no one behind.
Following feedback from the break out groups, the team at DCCAE shared their plans going forward which includes the possibility of Irish SDG Champions, new communications protocol regarding the SDGs, the next SDG National Forum which will take place in Dublin (more details to follow), working groups within the Forum and a new website which is being made called SDG.gov.ie. Civil society is confident in DCCAE’s ability in making the SDGs a key priority going forward.

(Photo credit: Pierre Klein)