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THE PRESIDENT OFTHE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

6 October 2017

Excellency,

In line with paragraph 71 of resolution 71/323. Please find below a letter and handover report from H.E. Peter Thomson, President of the 71 st session of the UN General Assembly.

The handover Report is a contribution to the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly and supports a smooth transition between General Assembly sessions.

I thank President Thomson for his comprehensive report and for supporting the continuity between the 71 st and nnd sessions.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.

All Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers to the United Nations

New York

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HANDOVER REPORT

From the President of the 71st session of the

General Assembly, H. E. Mr. Peter

Thomson, to his successor, President of the

72nd session of the General Assembly, H. E.

Mr. Miroslav Lajčák

11 September 2017

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Executive summary

The 71st session proved an extremely busy year for the General Assembly. In keeping with

recent trends, the Assembly demonstrated its capacity to deal efficiently and effectively with

a broad range of issues as reflected in the 174 items on its agenda.

Four areas came to dominate the 71st session.

The High-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants

resulted in the adoption of the New York Declaration. In line with that Declaration, an

intergovernmental process to agree a potentially ground-breaking Global Compact on

Migration is now firmly underway.

Following a uniquely open, inclusive and thorough process, the General Assembly united to

appoint the ninth Secretary-General, H.E. Mr António Guterres. The Secretary-General has

made a number of senior appointments and outlined a number of major reforms in the areas

of sustainable development, peace and security and management, all of which are grounded

in a commitment to prevention.

Conflicts, terrorism and the global humanitarian crisis were also very prominent during the

71st session. The situation in Syria led to action by a divided General Assembly. Division

also continued to hinder meaningful progress in the intergovernmental negotiations on

Security Council Reform. On the other hand, consensus emerged around the establishment of

a new UN Counter-terrorism office, agreement was reached regarding the financing of UN

Peacekeeping operations despite a challenging global environment, and the spotlight was

shone on both the UN’s preparedness for global health emergencies and the risk of famine in

North-East Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and in the neighbouring country of Yemen.

Finally, in keeping with its theme, the 71st session helped to strengthen momentum around

implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Convening. The President

convened five SDG Action Events, undertook major advocacy and outreach initiatives, and

oversaw progress on a number of SDG-related General Assembly mandates. The General

Assembly-mandated UN Ocean Conference, which was held on 5-9 June 2017, was the

highpoint of actions to support the SDGs. Producing a Call for Action, 1400 voluntary

commitments and a global movement for the achievement of SDG 14 and its targets, it serves

as an example of the type of concerted planning and action required to deliver on the SDGs.

Looking ahead and lessons learned

The 72nd session of the General Assembly is likely to be focussed on two main themes –

preparations for the 2018 Inter-governmental Conference on International Migration and the

proposed reforms of the Secretary-General. At various stages and in different ways, the

President and his office will likely be called on to help ensure smooth progress on both.

In addition, the Assembly is mandated to continue its work on Security Council Reform.

Despite the best efforts of many Chairs and Member States over the years, progress on this

file remains unacceptably slow. While the calls for flexibility are as necessary as ever,

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perhaps the time has come for some fresh thinking on how best to secure meaningful reform

of the UN’s Security Council.

Also in the area of maintaining international peace and security, the Assembly will look to

review the UN’s Global counter-terrorism strategy, in the context of yet another year of

deadly terrorist attacks rights across the world.

But while attention will necessarily focus on these areas in the 72nd session, it is crucial that

the General Assembly continue to play its role on matters relating to the Sustainable

Development Goals. In the President’s end of term review on the SDGs, he summed up the

situation as follows:

‘We have achieved momentum on the SDGs, but there can be no rest. To get to the

promise of the 2030 Agenda, we now need a shift in gears. It is time to crank it up a

notch, for time is not on our side’. The Organ of the UN that gave birth to the SDGs

must ensure that it stays at the top of the global agenda during the busy years ahead.’

Advancing the Sustaining Peace agenda and the UN Development system reforms in the 72nd

session can help strengthen SDG momentum. In addition, the President of the 72nd session

has an opportunity to bring two years of consultations to fruition in relation to the alignment

of the agenda of the General Assembly with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In all of the above, the President and his office has a crucial role to play and consistent

attention must be paid to strengthening the institutional memory of the office, not least during

the agreement of the biennium budget 2018-2019 in fall 2017 and in the context of the ever-

influential Ad-hoc Working Group on GA Revitalization.

In addition, it is incumbent on all who serve in OPGA to preserve the dignity and impartiality

of the Office and to continue to operate in an inclusive and transparent manner. The President

must also stand ready to provide leadership to help Member States reach agreement, when

appropriate.

Conclusion

The 71st session showed once again that the UN General Assembly can make a major

contribution to global peace, prosperity, sustainability and human rights. Unity among

Member States is crucial. Through leadership, diligence and good offices, the President can

guard against disunity and help create an environment in which dialogue allows consensus

and progress to prevail.

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Table of contents

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….…. 5

2. Major outcomes realized during the 71st session.……………………………………. 6

2.1 Mandated High Level meetings of the General Assembly convened during the

71st session………………………………………………………………..….. 7

2.2 Mandated meetings of an informal non-high level nature…………………… 7

2.3 Other informal meeting of the General Assembly ………...………………… 7

2.4 General Debate of the 71st session…………………………………………… 8

2.5 Refugees and Migrants …………………………………………...…….…….. 8

2.6 Selection and appointment of the ninth Secretary-General …………….…… 8

2.7 Advancing the theme of the 71st session including through the President of the

General Assembly’s SDG Action Events …………………………..…………9

3. Ongoing processes and meetings involving the President of the 72nd

session………………………..……………………………………………………… 12

3.1 High-level event on Human Trafficking on 27-28 September

(70/179)…………………………………………………………...…………. 12

3.2 High-level plenary meeting convened by the President of the General Assembly

to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of

Nuclear Weapons (Res. 71/71) ………………………..…… 12

3.3 High-level interactive dialogue on Combating Dust and Sandstorms (Res.

71/219) ………………………………………………………………...……..12

3.4 Preparatory process of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular

Migration and the Intergovernmental Conference …………………….…… 13

3.5 Security Council reform………………………………………………..……. 13

3.6 Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly ……………………… 14

3.7 Alignment of the General Assembly agenda with the 2030 Agenda……….. 15

3.8 Participation of indigenous peoples' representatives and institutions in meetings

of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them……… 16

3.9 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review

(70/291)…………………………………………………………...…………..17

3.10 Global Health and Foreign Policy: Health Employment and Economic Growth

(Res 71/159)…………………………………………….………….17

4. Practical lessons learned …………………………………………………….……….18

4.1 Organization and management of the Office …………………………….......18

4.2 Mandated Meetings…………………………………………………………...20

4.3 Other meetings and events……………………………………………….……20

4.4 Informal processes & appointment of facilitators ……………………..…… 21

4.5 Interaction with EOSG and the Secretariat.………………………………… 22

4.6 Relationship with Member States and other organs.……………..………… 22

4.7 Outreach to civil society and media relations..……………………………… 23

5. Official Travel ………………………………………………………………………..25

6. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………….………..25

ANNEX 1: Facilitators and Chairs of the 71st session………………………………….26

ANNEX 2: Secondments to OPGA during the 71st session……………………………..30

ANNEX 3: Financial contribution to the Trust Fund of the OPGA71…………………...31

ANNEX 4: Official Travel ……………………………………………………..………. 32

ANNEX 5: Synopsis of mandates for the 72nd session…………………………………. 34

ANNEX 6: PGA End of term report on SDGs …………………………………………. 35

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1. Introduction

This handover report is prepared pursuant to resolution 70/305 of 13 September 2016 on the

revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (GA) and follows the standardized format

developed by the President of the 70th session. It serves to support a smooth transition from

the 71st to the 72nd session of the GA. It also serves to further strengthen the institutional

memory of both the GA and the Office of its President (OPGA).

This report outlines major outcomes realized during the 71st session, on-going processes and

lessons learned. It includes a number of annexes containing information on support provided

by Member States, the Secretariat and others to OPGA, a list of mandates that require follow-

up action by the President during the 72nd session and the President’s Final SDG Report.

Selection of highlights from the 71st session of the General Assembly

• General Debate of the 71st session, 20-26 September 2017

• High-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants

leads to the adoption of the New York Declaration and the beginning of an

intergovernmental process to agree a Global Compact on Migration

• High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance

• High-level Meeting on the Right to Development

• Selection and appointment of the ninth Secretary-General, H.E. António Guterres

• Tribute to eighth Secretary-General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon

• QCPR Resolution adopted by the GA charting the way for UN System response to

SDGs and leads to publication of report by the UN Secretary-General on

Repositioning the UN development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda

• GA Meeting under Agenda Item 131 took action on the situation in the Syrian Arab

Republic through resolution 71/248

• Establishment of Technology Bank for LDCs with adoption of resolution 71/251

• Establishment of a UN Office of Counter-terrorism with adoption of resolution

71/291

• High-level SDG Action Events on Sustainable Peace, Climate Change, Sustainable

Finance, Innovation & Connectivity and Education, among large set of activities

undertaken by the President to strengthen momentum on SDG implementation

• The Ocean Conference produces Call for Action, 1400 voluntary commitments and a

global movement for the achievement of SDG 14 and its targets

• Adoption of Global Indicator Framework for SDGs and targets

• Timely adoption of the Proposed Budget Outline for the biennium 2018-2019 and

resolutions on the financing of UN Peacekeeping missions and adoption of a resolution

on human resources management

• Adoption of New Urban Agenda and holding of High-Level Meeting on New Urban

Agenda to discuss Report of the High Level Independent Panel to Assess and

Enhance Effectiveness of UN-Habitat

• Advancement of consultations on a new treaty on marine biodiversity of areas

beyond national jurisdiction

• Agreement on modalities for Second High Level Conference on South-South

Cooperation

• Advancement of preparations and draft Declaration for High Level Meeting on

Human Trafficking, 25-26 September 2017

• Significant advancements in revitalizing the work of the General Assembly through

adoption of resolution 71/323.

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2. Major outcomes realized during the 71st session

A total of 98 formal plenary meetings were convened during the 71st session. The President

also convened 11 mandated High-Level Meetings of the General Assembly, 6 mandated

meetings of a non-high level nature and a further 16 informal meetings, hearings and

thematic debates. In addition, close to 200 informal-informal meetings were held relating to

the many mandated intergovernmental consultations.

In line with relevant mandates arising from past decisions taken by the General Assembly, 15

mandated processes took place throughout the 71st session, for which more than twice that

number of co-facilitators or co-chairs were appointed by the President (see Annex 1).

On four occasions, and following extensive informal consultations with the membership, the

President provided his good office in facilitating short, mostly procedural resolutions which

he tabled in relation to the following matters: on the appointment of Secretary-General

Guterres, a Tribute to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Technology Bank for LDCs and

the new UN Office on Counter-terrorism.

The President also undertook an extensive range of activities aimed at strengthening

momentum around Sustainable Development Goal implementation in line with the theme of

the 71st session.

In total, the President delivered more than 300 statements at the UN and beyond.

2.1 Mandated High-level meetings of the GA convened during the 71st session:

Formal Meetings

• High-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants

Informal Meetings

• High-level segment to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration on the

Right to Development, 22 September 2016

• High-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance, 21 September

• High-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the

Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, 26 September 2016

• High-level panel to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2 December 2016

• High-level meeting convened by the President to commemorate the tenth anniversary of

the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from

Enforced Disappearance, 17 February 2017

• High-level thematic discussion on the global observance of World Wildlife Day,

including on the protection of wild flora and fauna and on tackling illicit trafficking in

wildlife, 3 March 2017

• High-level event to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 25 April 2017

• High-level debate on Transnational Organized Crime, 19 June 2017

• High-level forum on Culture of Peace, 7 September 2017

• High-level meeting on New Urban Agenda, 5-6 September 2017

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2.2 Mandated meetings of an informal non-high level nature

• Informal meeting of the GA to hear a briefing on the UN system coordination on

outbreaks and health emergencies, 11 November 2016

• Informal briefing by the Co-Chairs of the multi-stakeholder forum on science, technology

and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, 12 January 2017

• Informal meeting of the GA to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the mandate on

children and armed conflict, 8 February 2017

• Dialogues to discuss improving the integration and coordination of the work of the UN on

the water-related goals and targets under its sustainable development pillar, with a

particular emphasis on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 22 March 2017

and 30 May 2017

• Interactive dialogue of the GA on Harmony with Nature to commemorate the

International Mother Earth Day, 21 April 2017

2.3 Other informal meetings of the General Assembly:

Meetings convened on the President’s own initiative, at the request of Member States or the

UN system

• Informal meeting of the plenary to hear a briefing by the Secretary-General and his

Special Envoy on Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, on the situation in Syria, 20 October

2016

• Informal briefing by the Secretary-General on the United Nations' New Approach to

Cholera in Haiti: report of the Secretary-General, 1 December 2016

• Informal briefing convened by the PGA on Germany’s presidency of the Group of 20, 6

February 2017

• Situational briefing on the Secretary-General’s Call to Action on famine response and

prevention, 13 April 2017

• Informal meeting of the GA to hear a briefing on health issues, 4 May 2017

• Informal meeting of the GA to hear a briefing on the report of the Secretary-General on

the recurrent financial crises of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for

Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 16 May 2017

• Informal briefing by the Deputy Secretary-General on the United Nations’ New Approach

to Cholera in Haiti: report of the Secretary-General, 14 June 2017

• Informal Meeting commemorating the Sixth Annual International Day against Nuclear

Tests, 30 August 2017

PGA SDG Action Events in response to GA 70/305

• High-level dialogue on "Building Sustainable Peace for All: Synergies between the 2030

Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustaining Peace, 24. January 2017

• High-level SDG Action Event meeting entitled “Climate Change and the Sustainable

Development Agenda, 23 March 2017

• High-level SDG Action Event entitled “SDG Financing Lab”, 18 April 2017

• High-level SDG Action Event on Innovation and Connectivity, 17 May 2017

• High-level SDG Action Event on Education, 28 June 2017

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2.4 General Debate of the 71st session

A total of 194 speakers participated in the General Debate of the 71st session which took

place on 20-26 September 2017. Of those, 75 were Heads of State, 10 Vice Presidents, 1

Crown Prince and 44 Heads of Government. A total of 19 speakers were women, including 5

Heads of State, 3 Heads of Government, 3 Vice Presidents and 7 Ministers, representing 9.8

per cent of all speakers. The speeches averaged just over 17 minutes, ranging from the

longest (48 minutes) to the shortest (5 minutes). Speeches were delivered in 21 languages,

with the majority given in the six official languages.

Several important topics dominated the 2016 general debate, including the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, terrorism, the refugee crisis and UN reform (see

graph below). The SDGs were mentioned by 181 Member States in their statements. Climate

change was the second-most discussed topic and was mentioned by 164 Member States. A

full Synopsis of the General Debate of the 71st session has been prepared by DGACM and is

available online.1

A large number of meetings and side-event were held both immediately prior to, during and

following the General Debate. Member States recognized, through resolution 71/323, the

need to minimise the number of side-events being held during the General Debate. The

President also highlighted to the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work

of the General Assembly, the need to maintain decorum at all times during the General

Debate.

2.5 Refugees and Migrants

On 19 September 2016 the GA held a High-level meeting to address large movements of

refugees and migrants at which the Assembly adopted the New York Declaration for

Refugees and Migrants. In addition to a number of commitments made in the Declaration, it

foresees the preparation of two Global Compacts: one on Refugees and one for Safe, Orderly

and Regular Migration. The Global Compact for Migration will be presented for adoption at

an Intergovernmental Conference on International Migration to be held in 2018. The Global

Compact for refugees will be forwarded to the General Assembly by UNHCR and considered

by the Third Committee of the General Assembly in the fall of 2018.

Significant follow-up to the conference took place during the 71st session and is described in

section 3.4 below.

2.6 Selection and appointment of the ninth Secretary-General

Upon taking office in September 2016, the President continued and completed the process of

selection and appointment of the 9th Secretary-General, initiated during the 70st session of the

GA. The process was completed in close coordination with the Security Council.

As a continuation of the informal dialogues with candidates held during the 70st session, the

President convened one informal dialogue between Member States and a candidate from

Bulgaria, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, on 3 October 2016.

In response to a request from some Member States for a separate facilitation process for the

appointment resolution of the ninth Secretary-General, OPGA engaged in consultations with

Member States and interested groups to find a judicious and consensual outcome in line with

1 https://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gd71.synopsis.pdf

https://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gd71.synopsis.pdf

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resolution 70/305, one that would also allow the new Secretary-General sufficient time to

prepare before taking up office.

This was essential in arriving at a consensual text of resolution 71/4 of 13 October 2016, by

which the General Assembly appointed H.E Mr. António Guterres as Secretary-General for a

term of office from 1 January 2017 until 31 December 2021.

On 19 October 2016, the President convened an informal meeting of the GA to provide an

opportunity for early interaction between the Member States and the Secretary-General-

designate and to assist him in his preparations for office. A total of 71 delegations

participated in this interactive exchange.

The President administered the ceremony on 12 December 2016 at which the Secretary-

General took his Oath of Office. On the same day, the GA adopted resolution 71/131, Tribute

to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the outgoing Secretary-General. OPGA had taken a leading role in

preparing this Tribute Resolution by closely engaging all regional groups.

OPGA, in collaboration with Security Council Report, convened a retreat with a number of

Member States on Lessons Learnt from the Secretary-General Selection Process on 9-10

February 2017. Building on the retreat and other research, a report was prepared and is

available online.2

2.7 Advancing the theme of the 71st session including through the President of the

General Assembly’s SDG Action Events

The theme of the 71st session of the General Assembly was: The Sustainable Development

Goals: A Universal Push to Transform Our World. In choosing this theme, the President

committed to strengthening momentum on implementation of the SDGs and to ensuring that

the SDGs would remain high on the global policy agenda during the transition from the 8th to

the 9th UN Secretary-General. In November 2016, the President presented his SDG Strategy

to the Member States which included the following three priorities:

(1) Raising the global public’s awareness of the transformative potential and necessity of

the SDGs

(2) Strengthening the momentum in the implementation of each of the 17 SDGs

(3) Supporting the UN and related agencies in making the maximum contribution

possible to the implementation of the SDGs.

Below is a summary of a few of the SDG-related activities during the 71st session. A full End

of Term Report on SDG Implementation efforts during the 71st session was presented to

Member States on 8 September 2017 and is included in Annex 6.

Advocacy and outreach

As part of advocacy and awareness raising efforts, the President, his Special Envoy on SDG

Implementation and Climate Change, H.E. Mr Macharia Kamau, and his Special Adviser on

SDGs, Ambassador Dessima Williams, travelled extensively to advocate with world leaders,

the general public and leaders in business and civil society for comprehensive, integrated and

early action on the SDGs.

2 http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-

CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/research_report_appointment_of_the_secretary_general_2017.pdf

http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/research_report_appointment_of_the_secretary_general_2017.pdf

http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/research_report_appointment_of_the_secretary_general_2017.pdf

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The President placed specific emphasis on engaging young people. Among other initiatives,

he advocated for SDG Learning and wrote to all Heads of State and Government advocating

for the need to incorporate SDGs into the national curriculum of every country in the world.

He also wrote to leading third level institutions to do the same in their sector, reaching nearly

5000 universities worldwide.

SDG Action Events

The President convened five SDG Action Events in the resumed session of the GA. Each

meeting responded to the unique context of each issue, promoted an integrated approach to

SDG implementation and sought to draw out the gender equality dimensions of each subject.

A. Sustaining Peace

Recognizing that SDG implementation requires an integrated, coherent and coordinated

approach to peace, development, human rights and humanitarian efforts, the President

convened a High-Level Event on 24 January entitled ‘Building Sustainable Peace for All:

Synergies between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustaining Peace’.

During the discussion, speaker after speaker rose to reinforce the critical nexus between

sustaining peace and sustainable development. This included views on how the UN system

could take advantage of synergies to promote the effective implementation of the SDGs and

the achievement of sustainable peace.

B. Climate Change

The President convened a High-level SDG Action Event on Climate Change and Sustainable

Development on 23 March 2017 in partnership with UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Ms

Patricia Espinosa. The meeting sought to ensure the spotlight remained firmly on climate

change and, specifically, on the need for climate action by all actors, despite changes in the

global political landscape.

The High Level Event benefitted from deep and broad engagement of Member States, experts

and stakeholders from all sectors who reiterated their political commitment to the Paris

Agreement on Climate Change and drew attention to the clearly defined interlinkages

between action on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda, particularly as focus shifts to

implementation.

C. Sustainable Finance

Recognizing that a major increase in investment is required to realize the SDGs and that

investment needs differ from goal to goal, region to region and country to country, the

President, working closely with the UNEP Inquiry, convened an SDG Financing Lab on 18

April. The meeting brought together Member States, the UN system, private investors, civil

society, and academia to advance discussions on how to mobilize the estimated US$5-7

trillion in annual investments needed to achieve the SDGs.

Building on the findings of the SDG Financing Lab,3 the President convened a two day

Sustainable Finance Retreat on 12-14 June 2017, with support from the Group of Friends of

3 http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/SDG-Lab-Summary.pdf

http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/SDG-Lab-Summary.pdf

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Sustainable Development Goals Financing. Entitled ‘Catalyzing New Coalitions to

Accelerate Co-Financing of Sustainable Infrastructure’, the retreat set out to identify existing

opportunities and challenges to unlocking financing solutions for specific projects in

sustainable infrastructure and for aligning the financial system with the SDGs.

D. Innovation

On 17 May, the President convened an SDG Action Event on Innovation and Connectivity.

Working closely with Los Angeles-based XPrize, the President brought leading innovators,

thought-leaders, and technology companies to the UN to engage with Member States and the

UN system on how emerging technologies can be used to best effect and to ensure successful

implementation of the SDGs.

Using an engaging format, the meeting succeeded in increasing understanding and awareness

of the opportunities and challenges of new technology and exponential change. It highlighted

the need for a significant strengthening of the UN’s ability to act as a catalyst for innovation

and technological solutions to the SDGs.

E. Education

Following extensive outreach by the President and his office throughout the session including

attendance at major conferences on Education in London, Ottawa, Doha and elsewhere, the

President convened a High-Level Event on Education in New York in partnership with key

SDG4 stakeholders on 28 June. The meeting took a holistic approach in exploring what it will

take to realize the Education SDG, looking at financing needs, at empowering youth, at

education in humanitarian and emergency settings, as well as at education for sustainable

development.

The meeting helped to bring together the many stakeholders who work in this sector, to identify

some areas where greater attention is needed and to push for renewed partnership and

collaboration to achieve SDG 4. It also helped to build a strong global network among youth

advocates for education from the global South.

UN Ocean Conference

President Thomson and his team played a central role in preparing for the Ocean Conference,

held on 5-9 June 2017 at UN Headquarters, New York. The President worked to promote

global awareness of SDG14 through The Ocean Conference. He pushed for the

empowerment of Ocean partners in the research, technology and creative communities,

including by attending Ocean-related conferences across the world.

The Ocean Conference proved to be a benchmark example of multiple actors coming together

to determine an ambitious and action-oriented response to one of the SDGs, in this case SDG

14, the Ocean Goal. All were united in delivering a conference that witnessed both

Governments and the world wide ocean community rallying in support of SDG14’s

implementation. The conference resulted in over 1400 voluntary commitments pledged by

stakeholders aimed at advancing the implementation aspects of SDG 14. Critically, the

assembled world expertise produced solutions to Ocean’s problems presented at 7 partnership

dialogues. An ambitious ‘Call for Action’ outcome document was agreed to by Member

States; with subsequent adoption by the General Assembly.

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3. Ongoing processes and meetings involving the President of the 72nd

session

With regard to the timing of high-level meetings that have been mandated by the General

Assembly to take place during the 72nd session or 73rd sessions, key preparations were

undertaken during the 71st session, including through the convening of various informal

processes. A full list of mandated processes and meetings for the 72nd session is included in

Annex 5.

3.1 High-level event on Human Trafficking on 27-28 September (70/179)

Following the resolution 70/179, a High-level meeting on the UN’s Global Plan of Action to

Combat Trafficking in Persons will take place on 27-28 September 2017.

Following extensive consultations led by the Permanent Representatives of Qatar and Greece,

and latterly, Belgium, the GA adopted resolution 71/319 on Monday 28 August 2017

transmitting the “Draft Outcome Document of the high-level meeting of the General

Assembly on the Appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat

Trafficking in Persons”.

The list of participants from civil society was prepared and circulated to Member States on a

non-objection basis. The final list has been communicated to Member States on 29 August.

The President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly (PGA72) is expected to finalize

the modalities and organizational arrangements related to the event, including identifying

speakers at the two panel discussions and circulating the final programme and concept notes.

He will also preside the opening segment, address the plenary meeting and make final

remarks at the closing segment.

3.2 High-level plenary meeting convened by the President of the General Assembly

to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of

Nuclear Weapons (Res. 71/71)

As per the resolution 71/71, PGA72 will convene a one-day high-level meeting on 26

September to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of

Nuclear Weapons. The resolution requests the presence of the President and the Secretary-

General. The format of previous years will be followed, with statements by the President and

the Secretary-General, followed by Member States and representatives of civil society.

A save-the-date letter from the President was sent to Member States on 22 August. A letter

informing Member States of the programme should be distributed at the beginning of the 72nd

session.

3.3 High-level interactive dialogue on Combating Dust and Sandstorms (Res. 71/219)

In resolution 71/219 dated 21 December 2017, the GA decided to convene a High-level

interactive dialogue during its 72nd session to discuss action-oriented recommendations to

address the economic, social and environmental challenges and how to improve policy

coordination at the global level regarding this issue. This is an important issue for a number

of affected countries who were also main sponsors of the resolution. While it was not

possible to hold a high-level event in parallel to the General Debate in September 2017,

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several alternative options were discussed with the idea to cluster this event with a related

agenda item or another event to attract High-level attendance.

3.4 Preparatory process of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular

Migration and the Intergovernmental Conference

The preparatory process of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and

the Intergovernmental Conference will continue throughout the 72nd session.

In line with the New York Declaration, the President appointed the Permanent

Representatives of Mexico and Switzerland to lead the consultations on the modalities for the

preparation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The

consultations reached a successful conclusion by January 2017 and following consideration

of the budgetary implications of the preparatory process, the modalities resolution was

formally adopted on 6 April 2017.

Following the adoption of the modalities resolution, the President again appointed the

Permanent Representatives of Mexico and Switzerland to lead the consultations and

negotiations on issues relates to the Global Compact and the Intergovernmental Conference

on Migration.

The six thematic sessions foreseen in the resolution are proceeding in accordance with the

schedule set by the Member States. Five thematic sessions took place during the 71st session

and were planned in close cooperation with the co-facilitators and the Office of SRSG

Arbour, who was appointed as the Secretary-General of the Intergovernmental Conference in

April 2017. The sixth and last thematic session will be organised 12-13 October 2017 in

Geneva, under the 72nd session of the GA.

In addition to the thematic sessions, the President organises the informal multi-stakeholder

hearings and supports the engagement of stakeholders throughout the preparatory process,

with significant support from UN-NGLS, IOM, UN Global Compact, UNU, UN-DESA and

OHCHR. The informal multi-stakeholder hearings will continue throughout the preparatory

process, with a total of three days’ meetings spread throughout the consultation, stock-taking

and negotiation phases. In early December, the stock-taking meeting in Mexico will bring

together inputs from different streams of the preparatory process for the global compact.

The modalities for the Intergovernmental Conference will need to be finalised as early as

possible, to leave adequate time for preparations of the conference and consideration of

possible budgetary implications by relevant entities. PGA72 may wish to consider appointing

facilitators for that purpose.

The Secretary-General will present a report with facts, figures, challenges, opportunities and

recommendations as an input to the zero draft of the global compact. The co-facilitators will

present a zero draft of the global compact by February 2018 and negotiation shall be held

from February 2018 to July 2018. Unless otherwise decided, the Intergovernmental

Conference on International Migration will be held immediately prior to the opening of the

73rd General Debate, in September 2018.

3.5 Security Council reform

As in previous sessions, Member States during the 71st session remained heavily invested in

the issue of Security Council reform, which was discussed both in the format of a formal

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plenary meeting as well as within the framework of the Intergovernmental Negotiations

(IGN).

In a departure from past practice, the President appointed two Permanent Representatives

(Tunisia and Romania) to serve as Co-Chairs. Taking into account the outcomes of the IGN

during the 69th and 70th session of the General Assembly, Member States’ interest and

concern about the direction of the process at the beginning of the 71st session was palpably

high.

While Member States and groups maintained complex and diverging political positions on

what reform should look like, some elements of convergence were identified on a number of

issues involved. Throughout the 71st session, the IGN addressed how to advance the process

through broad-based and all-inclusive consultations, with the President taking every

opportunity in meetings and related activities to advocate for flexibility, compromise and

meaningful progress. After 13 meetings held between February and June, including a number

of interactive sessions, the Co-Chairs synthesised the main observations and comments made

by delegations during those meetings in a document entitled “Elements of commonality and

issues for further consideration: food for thought on the question of equitable representation

and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters”, which was

finalized after the last meeting in June and subsequently circulated among Member States.

This document is referred to in an oral rollover decision which was adopted in plenary on 19

July, mandating the immediate continuation of the IGN during the 72nd session. PGA72 may

wish to consider appointing a Chair or Co-Chairs to lead the IGN in the 72nd . It is clear that

maximum flexibility will be required if meaningful progress is to be made on this file.

Additionally, fresh thinking may also be required.

3.6 Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly

In accordance with resolution 70/305, an Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the

work of the General Assembly, open to all Member States, was established during the 71st

session. The President appointed the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and the United

Arab Emirates to co-chair the Ad Hoc Working Group which held a total of 9 meetings

between February and August 2017 as well as 2 informal meetings and more than two dozen

rounds of consultations.

While the focus during the past two previous sessions had been on the process of selecting

and appointing the Secretary-General and on strengthening of the Institutional Memory of the

OGPA, the deliberations during the 71st session, focused in particular on a number of new

proposals put forward concerning the Assembly’s working methods. A draft resolution was

adopted by the General Assembly on 8 September 2017. There are a number of mandates in

that resolution addressed to the President, including the following:

• To further ensure increased cooperation, coordination and the exchange of information

among the Presidents of the principal organs and also with the Secretariat, in

particular the Secretary-General;

• To organize interactive inclusive thematic debates on current issues of critical

importance to the international community in close consultations with the General

Committee and the Member States, including with regard to the frequency and

preliminary programme of such debates, in order to enable an adequate level of

participation and an appropriate allocation of time for substantive interactive discussion

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during the debates so as to enable all interested delegations to state their positions and to

facilitate, where appropriate, results-oriented and productive outcomes of such debates..;

• In this regard, to limit high-level meetings to current issues of critical importance to the

international community, with the interest of the wider membership in mind and with a

focus on the most vulnerable, while encouraging the allocation of events of strictly

sectoral or thematic nature to the six main committees;

• To attach the list of speakers at high-level thematic debates organized by the President to

the summary of these events;

• To identify proposals through consultations with all Member States and the President of

ECOSOC, as well as through convening the General Committee aimed at addressing gaps

and duplication in the agenda of the General Assembly as they relate to the 2030

Agenda for Sustainable Development;

• To make full use of the General Committee throughout the session with a view to

review the program of work of the General Assembly and its Main Committees;

• To enhance the coordination of the scheduling of the meetings of the Assembly,

including high-level meetings and high-level thematic debates, with a view to optimizing

their interactivity, effectiveness, and distribution throughout the session, and to consider

ways to decrease the number of high-level events held during the general debate;

• To follow good practices aimed at strengthening the transparency and inclusivity of

the Office of the PGA, including through the increased and creative use of online

facilities, providing a financial disclosure upon assumption of office, releasing detailed

information on the finances and contributions to the Office, details on official travel,

substantive activities, staffing and activities of his Office and to prepare a report thereon

at the end of the session;

• To continue with the practice of periodically briefing Member States on their activities,

including official travel;

• To continue the practice of transmitting a written handover summary of best practices and

lessons learned to his successor;

• To continue considering methods to effectively preserve the institutional memory of the

Office;

• To adhere to the practice of vetting all contributions from sources other than Member

States through the Ethics Office;

• To channel all non-in-kind contributions through the Trust Fund;

• To report on the implementation of all mandates accorded to him by relevant

resolutions on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly to the Ad Hoc

Working Group at the seventy-second session of the Assembly.

The General Assembly decided to establish an ad hoc working group on the revitalization

of the work of the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. PGA72 may wish to

consider appointing chairs to take this process forward.

3.7 Alignment of the General Assembly agenda with the 2030 Agenda

In line with resolution 70/305, the President appointed the Permanent Representatives of

Australia and Argentina to conduct consultations aimed at enhancing synergies and

coherence and reducing overlap in the agendas of the General Assembly, the Economic and

Social Council and their subsidiary bodies, in light of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development. These consultations resulted in a number of recommendations for

the General Assembly, the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECOSOC

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which were presented to the President in a report from the co-facilitators which was

subsequently circulated to all Member States.

The recommendations to the President include:

• That the President of the General Assembly consider convening a meeting early in the

session of the General Assembly with the chairs and bureaux of the main committees of

the General Assembly and the President and bureaux of the Economic and Social Council

and its subsidiary bodies, as appropriate, to discuss how their work relates to the 2030

Agenda for Sustainable Development and how best to enhance synergies, coherence and

address gaps and duplication.

• That the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Economic and Social

Council, further to the holding of the above mentioned meeting, consider providing a

joint briefing to member states to provide more clarity on the interlinkages between the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the work of the General Assembly

committees, the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, taking into

account the sub-set of goals to be annually discussed at the High Level Political Forum

for Sustainable Development under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.

A third recommendation was made to the Ad-hoc Working Group on GA Revitalization

regarding future work on this subject. Following considerable discussion, through resolution

71/323, the President is thus requested to:

• Identify proposals through consultations with all Member States and the President of

ECOSOC, as well as through convening the General Committee aimed at addressing

gaps and duplication in the agenda of the General Assembly as they relate to the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, taking into account the Report on

Strategic Alignment of Future Sessions of the General Assembly and other

relevant inputs, for the consideration of member states during the 73 rd session

of the General Assembly.

3.8 Participation of indigenous peoples' representatives and institutions in meetings

of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them

Pursuant to resolutions 70/232 of 23 December 2015 and 71/178 of 19 December 2016, the

President reconfirmed the appointment of four Advisers – the Permanent Representatives of

Finland and Ghana and two indigenous peoples representatives from the Pacific Region and

the North America region – to facilitate the conclusion of consultation and the negotiation on

the possible measures to enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and

institutions in the relevant meetings of United Nations bodies affecting them.

During the 71st session, the Advisers initially proceeded with broad consultation with

Member States and Indigenous Peoples, and three relevant mechanisms on the right of

indigenous peoples. The intergovernmental negotiations started on 9 May and following

extensive consultations, agreement was reached on resolution 71/321 was adopted by the

General Assembly on 8 September 2017.

The President is requested to organize and preside over informal interactive hearings and to

prepare a summary of each hearing, during the seventy-second, the seventy-third and the

seventy-fourth sessions of the General Assembly, on the sidelines of the Permanent Forum

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on indigenous Issues, with Indigenous Peoples, ensuring, to the extent possible, balanced

regional representation. The resolution makes clear that the United Nations Voluntary Fund for

Indigenous Peoples will be used to support the participation of indigenous peoples’

organization representatives in these hearings. An informal summary of the overall

consultation process was circulated to Member States on 11 September 2017.

3.9 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review (70/291)

The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism was established through the adoption of GA resolution

71/291 on 15 June 2017, following extensive consultation by OPGA. The Counter-Terrorism

Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, initially

established in the Department of Political Affairs, were moved into a new Office of Counter-

Terrorism headed by an Under-Secretary–General. Mr. Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov was

appointed as USG of the Office on 21 June 2017. Member States welcomed this new

development, hailing it as a milestone in efforts to improve UN’s efficiency in fighting

terrorism.

As per resolution 70/291, the Sixth Review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy

will take place in June 2018 (the Fifth Review was adopted by the GA on 1 July 2016). The

review will be based on a report by the Secretary-General on progress made in the

implementation of the Strategy, containing suggestions for its future implementation. The

report is to be submitted no later than April 2018. It is recommended that facilitators be

appointed to take forward consultations in spring 2018.

3.10 Global Health and Foreign Policy: Health Employment and Economic

Growth (Res 71/159)

A per resolution 71/159 on Global Health and Foreign Policy, the GA decided to hold a

High-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis in 2018, and requested the Secretary-

General, in close collaboration with the Director-General of WHO and in consultation with

Member States, to propose options and modalities for the conduct of such a meeting,

including potential deliverables, building on existing efforts in this regard.

The President assisted in organizing different briefings during the 71st session to proactively

respond to requests in the resolutions. The Secretary-General’s note is expected to be issued

shortly. Depending on the timing of the note, PGA72 could consider appointing facilitators to

agree on modalities and date for the high level meeting.

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4. Practical lessons learned

In terms of practical lessons learned, the following may assist PGA72 at the time of the

assumption of office.

4.1 Organization and management of the Office

Staffing

Building a high performing OPGA requires a detailed overview of upcoming General

Assembly activities and a clear understanding of priorities for that session and the next.

Thereafter, a number of steps can be taken to secure the most effective office possible:

• The size of OPGA varies from session from session in line with the responsibilities of the

Office and the particular preferences of the President. In light of recent trends, however,

an optimal OPGA would consist of between 25 -35 staff members, both professional and

administrative.

• The Office should consist of professionals with a variety of skills and experiences. This

includes those who have extensive experience with Member State priorities and

intergovernmental processes; those who have relevant experience working with the UN

Secretariat and UN system and those who have experience dealing with other

stakeholders. It is equally desirable that the team includes experts in all three pillars of the

UN as well as qualified communication experts. Given that the Presidency lasts a short 12

months, it is critical that the staff are familiar with General Assembly matters.

• In addition, it is important to secure a team that is both regionally and gender balanced.

Careful consideration should also be given to securing a balance between senior staff

members at ambassadorial level and a strong team of mid-level professionals with the

capacity to manage OPGA’s high workload. Greater flexibility for the President in

determining the level at which he/she wishes to recruit staff from the regular budget

staffing allocation would greatly help to achieve this objective.

• Retaining a large number of staff from one session to another is also crucial. This helps

the President to prepare for High Level Week, to minimize transition costs, to ensure that

institutional knowledge is passed on and that there is continuity particularly for

intergovernmental processes that span a number of GA sessions.

• OPGA also benefits greatly from the work of UN Interns for 6 month terms. The

President recruited a second round of interns in mid-May 2017 thus ensuring that

OPGA72 can benefit from their services as part of the transition team – a practice that

may merit repeating next session.

• It should be noted that OPGA is still significantly limited by the fact that there are no

posts for professional staff assigned to the office. The proposal before the Fifth

Committee this coming fall for the establishment of a P5 post in OPGA will, if accepted,

go some way to addressing this problem. It is critical that PGA72 closely follow this

matter.

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• In addition, over time the establishment of posts to fill certain functions – Speechwriter,

Office manager; Stakeholder outreach, Legal Adviser, Communications officer – would

greatly improve continuity and strengthen the institutional memory of the Office.

• Building an effective team would not be possible without the generous support of

Member States and UN system entities that second staff to the Office. A list of countries

that seconded staff for the 71st session is included in Annex 2.

Transparency

During the 71st session, the President built on the steps taken by his predecessor and adhered

to the highest standards of transparency throughout the session. It is highly advisable that the

following measures be maintained, in keeping with the wishes of the General Assembly.

• The President became the first PGA to take the Oath of Office, to adhere to the OGPA

Code of Ethics and to participate in the UN Financial Disclosure programme.

• Transparency around the staffing and financing of the Office as well as travel of the

President and his/her staff is also important. The President, for example, prepared short

trip reports that were released on his website. In future, a trip summary could be

circulated to Member States upon his return. Efforts could be made to further promote

awareness of the President’s website.

Finance

A number of developments and trends relating to OPGA finance in the 71st session are note-

worthy:

• The President of the 71st session became the first President to channel all financial

contributions to support the functioning of the office through the OPGA trust fund. This

provides both transparency and a more accurate reflection of the true cost of running the

office. A list of those who financial contributions to the OPGA Trust Fund is included in

Annex 3 and available on the PGA’s website.

• All contributions to the Trust Fund are subject to UN budget rules and the Executive

Office of DGACM provides excellent advice in this regard. The system, however, is not

set-up to deal with incidental expenses. The provision of an Office credit card is

extremely helpful in this regard.

• Resolution 70/305 requested that all contributions to the Trust Fund be vetted by the

Ethics Office. Working with Ethics Office, the President established a system for vetting

private contributions but as the office did not receive any financial contribution from

private sources, the system has not yet been used in earnest. The system could also be

applied to in-kind contributions; though further guidance is required in this area.

• The President may wish to consider the continuation of the practice followed in the 70th

and 71st sessions of purchasing carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions generated by

the official travel undertaken by the President and OPGA.

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Archiving, record keeping and other office matters

• During the course of 71st session, OPGA sought to develop a functioning record keeping

and archiving system for the office. Hard-copy files containing records relating to

previous sessions were transferred to UN Archives. Soft-copy files belonging to the 70th

and 71st sessions contained in the Office shared drive were transferred to the cloud-based

Unite-docs facility.

• A file structure has been established that should be maintained by future sessions to

ensure ease of reference. The establishment of a Standard Operating Procedure for

record-keeping and training for staff in this area would be the next step.

4.2 Mandated Meetings

In addition to formal meetings of the General Assembly that take place as a matter of course,

the President is often mandated to convene High-level Meetings of the GA, both formal and

informal. These meetings are a significant responsibility for OPGA.

• Each meeting will require a small project team of up to four advisers within OPGA. The

Office is required to manage stakeholder participation, design the formal program for the

meeting and allocate roles, coordinate meeting logistics not related to the work of

DGACM; prepare and support the role of the President in such meetings; prepare meeting

summaries; carry out communications work.

• Whether the mandated meetings are of a formal or informal nature will also impact the

preparatory process including with respect to scheduling and modalities. Early planning

with DGACM, the UN-NGLS, Member States, and the wider UN system to map the dates

of mandated High-level meetings is essential. Consultation with Member States on the

organization of these meetings is extremely important.

• It is important to be aware that the GA rarely allocates additional resources to the

organization of these meetings. It is important to alert Member States of the financial

implications relating to webcasting and travel of participants when the mandate is being

agreed, often within the main committees.

• It is also important to communicate to Member States and to substantive offices of the

UN, that the OPGA budget is not designed to meet costs arising from such meetings such

as for travel of meeting participants, webcasting, meeting-room services etc.

4.3 Other meetings and events

Member States continue to express concern regarding the proliferation of ad hoc meetings,

high level meetings and informal debates convened by the President on his or her own

initiative. Steps can be taken to address this issue.

• It is important to consult with Member States either through informal briefings,

engagements with the regional groups or with the General Committee on the key

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orientations of initiatives from the President. It is also important to keep Member States

up to speed on preparations.

• It is important to be cognizant of other meetings being planned by the Security Council

and the Economic and Social Council so as to see what opportunities exist to organise

meetings in a complementary fashion so as to strengthen the case for capital-level

participation.

4.4 Informal processes & appointment of facilitators

During the 71st session, the President appointed 27 PRs, DPRs and stakeholder

representatives to 30 roles relating to the advancement of intergovernmental consultations. 18

of these individuals were male, 9 were female. The appointment of facilitators or chairs

requires significant advance planning and careful consideration.

In addition, the President, through his Office, led consultations which led to the adoption of

four resolutions – on the appointment of the Secretary-General; on the tribute to Secretary-

General Ban Ki-Moon; on the operationalization of the Technology Bank for Least

Developed Countries and on Counter-terrorism. This brings to a total of 35 roles filled by 31

individuals.

• Decisions regarding the selection of a given Permanent Representative to lead

consultations should be made based on the specific nature of the issue at hand. It is

however important to advance geographical balance in the overall selections.

• There are occasions where only one facilitator or chair is appointed. There are other

occasions where more than two facilitators could be appointed. It is also important to

consider the burden that facilitating inter-governmental consultations places on missions.

The practice of appointing two co-facilitators, one from the global north and one from the

global south, has proven beneficial.

• Given the low number of female Permanent Representatives among the diplomatic corps

in New York and the many other considerations that inform decisions on appointments, a

very conscious effort must be made to ensure gender balance within the appointment of

facilitators and chairs.

• It may be worth considering developing a one-page document in consultation with

DGACM, to provide to all facilitators on appointment so as to guide them as to the

fulfilment of their mandates. A check list of issues to be addressed, for example, in a draft

modalities resolution could also be developed.

• When the President requests his office to lead consultations, this can often greatly

expedite consideration of an issue. Given the need for the President to be impartial and to

be seen to be impartial, however, such an approach should only be taken on an

exceptional basis.

• The President and his senior management are often called upon to help resolve some

outstanding issues at the end of a consultation process. It is crucial therefore that the

President be kept fully abreast of developments throughout the duration of a given

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consultation process by a senior adviser in OPGA who is in continuous contact with

facilitators.

4.5 Interaction with EOSG and the Secretariat

The President benefited from excellent collaboration with both the current and the former

Secretaries-General and their offices as well as with individuals and offices across the UN

Secretariat and UN System.

• Monthly lunch meetings, hosted by the President or the Secretary-General on a rotational

basis and with the participation of relevant principals, allow for discussion of high

priority issues of concern to the Assembly. A designated contact point at working level in

both offices helps to ensure seamless collaboration.

• OPGA works extremely closely with DGACM, particularly the General Assembly Affairs

Branch as the key interlocutor on matters related to meeting organization and servicing of

GA meetings. Close coordination and advance planning of meetings to the extent possible

is highly recommended. This includes determining dates for meetings organized by the

President, the booking of meeting rooms for informal consultations and the booking of

interpretations services. GAAB participation in weekly OPGA cabinet meetings has been

very beneficial and is highly recommended.

• It is important to note that three regular budget professional level posts dedicated to

support OPGA are located in GAAB in DGACM. A shared understanding of the

complementary responsibilities and capacities of both offices as well as clear

communication of focal points for respective responsibilities is essential.

• Proactive engagement when relevant with the substantive offices and departments of the

Secretariat is recommended. The same applies to UN agencies, funds and programmes as

well as other entities, including foundations, which can all contribute substantively and

constructively to the work of OPGA.

4.6 Relationship with Member States and other organs

Close engagement with Member States and organs of the Assembly, in particular the Chairs

of the main Committees and the General Committee, is essential to performing the tasks of

the Presidency.

• The President recommends the continuation of regular meetings with the Presidents of the

Security Council and ECOSOC as well as with frequent meetings with the chairs of the

regional groups and the General Committee. Briefings to Member States by the Chef de

Cabinet are also extremely effective methods for sharing information.

• The President released notes on his monthly meetings with the President of the Security

Council and the President of ECOSOC and recommends the continuation of this practice.

• The President released a full list of the mandates that he was charged with implementing

during the 71st session as well as the list of co-facilitators he had appointed in response to

23

those mandates. This list was updated on a regular basis and is available on the homepage

of the President’s website.

4.7 Outreach to civil society and media relations

Stakeholder engagement

The President plays a key role in facilitating stakeholder participation at the UN both in

response to mandates included in GA resolutions and when organizing informal meetings of

the GA. This is an important responsibility that helps the UN to reach the global public,

benefit from latest global research; ensure grass-root level expertise and the relevance of its

decisions. It is not, however, without challenges.

• Reaching agreement on the modalities regarding the participation of stakeholders in

General Assembly meetings or processes is frequently one of the most difficult issues to

resolve in intergovernmental consultations. This leads to prolongation and complication

of negotiations and places an onus on the President as the gatekeeper to participation in

the General Assembly meetings and events.

• Modalities for participation often differ from one process or meeting to another. This is

particularly the case with the process for objecting to a certain organization, known as the

‘non-objection basis rule’. The subtle but significant differences place an additional

strain on UN entities implementing them and are often not well understood amongst the

stakeholder communities. In addition, OGPA can on occasion be requested to follow up

with Member States regarding the basis of their objection.

• Arriving at a more general agreement or understanding among the membership on the

issue of civil society participation would facilitate smoother and faster modalities

negotiations, which would also allow more time for meaningful discussions on the

outcome documents. This would also provide more predictability to stakeholder

representatives.

• OPGA relies heavily on expertise and networks of other UN entities. During the 71st

session, UN-NGLS has been a key partner in facilitating stakeholder participation in all

five SDG Action Events organised by the President, and has been leading entity for

stakeholder engagement in the migration process, alongside with UN Global Compact,

UNU, UN-DESA, IOM and OHCHR. UN-DESA has provided crucial support for

managing stakeholder participation in The Ocean Conference. It is important to note that

neither OPGA nor NGLS are provided with additional financial resources to respond to

the growing number of mandates in this area.

• The capacity constraints and the lack of centralised UN focal point for stakeholder

engagement raise the question whether UN System is currently well enough placed to

respond to the growing need and expectations to engage stakeholders in various UN

processes under the authority of the General Assembly. In addition, when it comes to the

SDG-related events, there is a legitimate expectation among stakeholders that they be

included at least to the same extent as they were in the process that led to the adoption of

the 2030 Agenda.

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Media relations

Media relations, online communications and the use of social media are critical for raising

global awareness about the work of the Presidency, including in support of transparency and

accountability of the work of the GA. Utilizing all available avenues, including mass and

specialised media and their correspondents based at the UN, the dedicated web page for the

Presidency, Twitter and related tools, has served the Presidency well and can only be

recommended to continue. A number of key lessons can be drawn from the extensive

communications efforts undertaken during the 71st session:

• The dedicated PGA webpage (www.un.org/pga/71) has been used to publish relevant web

content and keep journalists informed and notified, including President’s speeches,

statements by the President on occasion of global events or international days, press

releases, media advisories etc. The website also included a calendar of work as well as

links to the OPGA’s Flickr Account (http://bit.ly/PGAflickr) and YouTube Account

(http://bit.ly/PGAYouTube). Furthermore, press conferences have been used as a way for

the President to interact directly with the UN press core. Additional steps could be taken

to increase the awareness of Member States of the information available on this website.

• The @UN_PGA Twitter account has been a useful tool to instantly update followers

(including Member States, stakeholders, the media and general public) on the President’s

activities and engagements. The number of followers has increased from 32,000 in

September 2016 to 46,300 in June 2017, with an average monthly growth of 1,919

followers. Two Live Twitter chats were conducted for the President to interact directly

with his followers. Further steps could be taken to grow the following of this account.

• For all five SDG Action Events held during the 71st session as well as The Ocean

Conference on 5-9 June 2017, OPGA developed dedicated communications plans,

including social media quote card dignitaries and panelists, a dedicated webpage, visual

identity and branding materials, programme leaflets, media advisories and press releases,

media stakeouts and webcast services. These steps merit continuation in the next session.

• An SDG Media Zone was established in September 2016 by OPGA, the Office of the

SG’s Special Adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the

Department for Public Information, powered by PVBLIC Foundation with support from

UN Foundation. It served to create live content, connect and celebrate the initiatives of

the global community working on the SDGs and reached more than 29 million people in 32

countries through 90 million impressions. Other online platforms, such as Facebook Live,

were used by the President to bring the work of the GA to wider audience while smaller

versions of the SDG Media Zone were used on other occasions. Consideration should be

given to the continued use of such platforms to raise awareness about the work of the GA.

• The President’s Instagram account (UNPGA) was set up as a new conduit to engage a

broader and younger audience on the activities and meetings of the President, as well as

the SDGs. UNPGA currently has 646 followers and 66 posts focusing on behind-the-

scenes of the work of the President, trips and international days. As Instagram is one of

the fastest growing social media networks globally, further ways should be explored to

increase the use Instagram as a communication tool.

http://www.un.org/pga/71

http://bit.ly/PGAflickr

http://bit.ly/PGAYouTube

https://www.instagram.com/unpga/

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5. Official Travel

Over the course of the year, the President was invited to undertake a number of official

travels, either by invitation from Member States, to address meetings organized as a follow

up or in preparation for the UN meetings and conferences or where his attendance was

explicitly required. His Special Envoy on SDG Implementation also undertook travel in

support of the work of OPGA. A full list in included in Annex 4.

6. Conclusion

The GA remains the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United

Nations.

During the 71st session, the GA continued to show its capacity to respond to critical issues of

concern to the general public around the world. The Assembly addressed issues ranging from

terrorism to global health; from the Sustainable Development Goals to the situation facing

refugees and migrants.

While the global political environment was more unsettled than in previous years, the

Assembly succeeded in finding consensus on many key issues. It is essential that Member

States maintain this commitment to working together, avoiding a relapse to historic divisions.

As the 72nd session gets under way, all Members must recognize that, more than ever before,

sustainable peace, prosperity, human rights and a healthy environment – the promise of the

2030 Agenda – can only be achieved through collaboration, partnership and dialogue on a

global scale.

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ANNEX 1: Facilitators and Chairs of the 71st session

Topic Appointment

Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Pursuant to Resolution 70/232 of 23 December

2015, Advisors conducted timely, inclusive,

representative and transparent consultations

with Member States, indigenous peoples’

representatives and institutions from all regions

of the world, and existing relevant mechanisms

of the United Nations. On this basis,

compilation of the views expressed during these

consultations was circulated in July 2016, and

included concrete recommendations on the way

forward, which was subsequently issued in

document A/70/990. In accordance with the

above mentioned resolution, the compilation

should form the basis for a draft text to be

finalized and adopted by the Assembly during

its current session.

Letter dated 27 September 2016, reappointed:

H.E. Mr. Kai Sauer (Permanent Representative of Finland )

H.E. Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee (Permanent

Representative of Ghana),

Dr. Claire Winfield Ngamihi Charters (Pacific region)

Dr. James Anaya (North America region.)

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Ad hoc working group on the revitalization

of the work of the UN General Assembly

Resolution 70/305 decided to establish at

the 71st session an ad hoc working group on

the revitalization of the work of the General

Assembly open to all Member States “to

identify further ways to enhance the role,

authority, effectiveness and efficiency of

the Assembly, inter alia, by building on the

progress achieved in past sessions as well

as on previous resolutions, including

evaluating the status of their

implementation” and “to submit a report

thereon to the Assembly at its 71st session.”

Letter dated 24 October 2016, appointed:

H.E. Mr. Vladmir Drobnjak (Croatia)

H.E. Ms Lana Nusseibeh (United Arab Emirates)


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Intergovernmental negotiations on Security

Council Reform

The General Assembly decided in July to

immediately continue intergovernmental

negotiations on Security Council reform in

informal plenary of the General Assembly

at its seventy-first session.


H.E. Mr. Ion Jinga (Romania)

H.E. Mr. Khaled Khairi (Tunisia)


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United Nations Conference to Support

the Implementation of Sustainable

Development Goal 14: Conserve and

sustainably use the oceans, seas and


H.E. Mr. Álvaro Mendonça e Moura (Portugal)

H.E. Mr Mr Burhan Gafoor (Singapore)

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marine resources for sustainable

development

Resolution 70/303 of 9. September and

Resolution 70/226 of 23 December 2015

request that co-facilitators be appointed

(one developed country, one developing

country) to oversee the preparatory process

and to conclude the intergovernmental

consultations on the “Call for Action” by

May 2017.


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Conference-to-Support-the-Implementation-of-

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Migration

Resolution 71/1 committed to launch, in 2016,

a process of intergovernmental negotiations

leading to the adoption of a global compact for

safe, orderly and regular migration at an

intergovernmental conference to be held in

2018 and invited the President of the General

Assembly to make arrangements for the

determination of the modalities, timeline and

other practicalities relating to the negotiation

process.

Resolution 71/280 requests the President of the

General Assembly to appoint two co-

facilitators to lead the intergovernmental

consultations and negotiations on issues related

to the global compact, the intergovernmental

conference as well as their preparatory process,

in regular coordination and consultation with

all Member States and regional groups, and

underlines that the consultations and

negotiations must be open, transparent and

inclusive in order to promote and strengthen

Member States’ ownership;

Letter dated 24 October 2017 appointed:

H.E. Mr. Juan Jose Gomez Camacho (Mexico)

H.E. Mr. Jurg Lauber (Switzerland)


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adoption-of-a-global-compact-for-safe-orderly-and-

regular-migration.pdf

Letter dated 6 April 2017 appointed:

H.E. Mr. Juan Jose Gomez Camacho (Mexico)

H.E. Mr. Jurg Lauber (Switzerland)


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orderly-and-regular-migration.pdf

Follow-up to and implementation of the

SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action

(SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius

Strategy for the Further Implementation

of the Programme of Action for the

Sustainable Development of Small Island

Developing States

A/RES/70/202, OP 16. Decides to consider,

during its seventy-first session, the conduct of

a midterm review, in 2019, on the progress

made in addressing the priorities of small

Letter dated 17 January 2017 reappointed:

H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sareer (Maldives)

H.E. Mr Sebastiano Cardi (Italy)


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partnerships-for-SIDS.pdf

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island developing States through the

implementation of the Samoa Pathway.

Alignment of the Agenda of the General

Assembly with the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development (including the

SDGs)

Responding to Resolution 70/305

Letter dated 22 December appointed:

H.E. Ms Jillian Bird (Australia)

H.E Mr Martin Garcia Moritan (Argentina)


content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/cofacilitators.pdf

Improving the coordination of efforts

against trafficking in persons

A/RES/70/179 of 17 December 2015, OP 7.

Requests the Secretary-General and the

President of the General Assembly, in close

cooperation with Member States, to take all

appropriate measures to arrange the high-level

meeting (in October 2017, immediately after

the general debate)

A/71/287 of 4 May 2017 requests the President

of the General Assembly to appoint facilitators

to hold open, transparent and inclusive

intergovernmental negotiations with all

Member States with a view to producing a

short and concise political declaration for

adoption at the opening plenary of the high-

level meeting, on the implementation of the

Global Plan of Action.

Letter dated 10 January 2017 appointed:

H.E. Mrs. Catherine Boura (Greece)

H.E. Ms. Alya Ahmed Saif AI-Thani, (Qatar)


content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/ga-co-facilitators.pdf

Letter dated 12 June 2017appointed:

H.E Ms. Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani (Qatar)

H.E. Mr. Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, (Belgium)


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to-Combat-Trafficking_appointment-of-co-facilitators-12-

June-2017.pdf

BBNJ

Res 69/272 decided to develop an international

legally binding instrument under the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

(UNCLOS) on the conservation and

sustainable use of marine biological diversity

of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Letter dated 24 January 2017 appointed:

H. E. Ambassador Carlos Duarte, Deputy Permanent

Representative (Brazil)


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Informal consultative process on the law of

the sea

Informal outreach seeking to determine whether further

consultations are required. If yes, reappointment necessary.

H.E. Mr. Gustava Meza-Cuadra (Peru)

H.E. Mr. Nicholas Emilou (Cyprus )

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content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/cofacilitators.pdf

Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole

Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the

Regular Process for Global Reporting and

Assessment of the State of the Marine

Environment, including Socioeconomic

Aspects

Letter dated 31 March 2016, PGA70 appointed:

Ms. Juliette Babb-Riley (Barbados)

Mrs. Carolyn Schwalger (New Zealand),


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71/222

“International Decade for Action, “Water

for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028”

PGA requested to convene, during the seventy-

first session, a working-level dialogue to

discuss improving the integration and

coordination of the work of the United Nations

on the water-related goals and targets under its

sustainable development pillar.

President of the General Assembly to appoint

two co-moderators for the dialogues, one from

a developed country and one from a

developing country, who will also prepare the

informal summary of the dialogues;

(c) Also invites the President of the General

Assembly to prepare a concept note for the

dialogues, in collaboration with the co-

moderators, taking into consideration relevant

work and processes and avoiding duplication

Letter dated 12 January 2017 appointed for a dialogue

to take place on 22 March.

H.E. Ms. Katalin Bogyay (Hungary)

Mr. Luqmon Isomatov, Head of the Department of Foreign

Economic Cooperation ,MFA (Tajikistan)


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goals-and-targets.pdf

South-South Cooperation

A/RES/71/244 requests the President of the

General Assembly to undertake the necessary

intergovernmental negotiations in order to

prepare for the proposed conference, with a

view to the adoption by the Assembly, before

the end of 2017, of a resolution on the nature,

date, objectives and modalities of the

conference, in full compliance with, and under

the principles of, the Nairobi outcome

document of the High-level United Nations

Conference on South-South Cooperation and

the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

Letter dated 31 May 2017 appointed:

H.E. Mr. Adonia Ayebare, Uganda


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ANNEX 2: Governments and others which seconded staff to the

OPGA during the 71st session

Algeria

Angola

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

China

Denmark

Ecuador

European Union

Finland

Germany

Iraq

Indonesia

Mexico

Norway

Turkey

Samoa

Slovakia

South Africa

Qatar

DPI

UNFPA

UNDP

UNICEF

World Bank Group

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ANNEX 3: Governments that made contribution to the Trust

Fund of the OPGA during the 71st session

India

China

Pakistan

Timor Leste

United Arab Emirates

Qatar

Kuwait

Turkey

Slovakia

Estonia

Denmark

Roll-over of minor amounts from the 65th-70th session as part of clean-up of

OPGA Trust Fund

Algeria

Egypt

Kazakhstan

Luxembourg

South Africa

Turkey

Switzerland

Republic of Korea

Slovenia

United Arab Emirates

China

Italy

Qatar

Turkey

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ANNEX 4: Official Travel

Note: The primary source of funding for each trip is indicated below. Please be aware, however, that

on many occasions, the host government provided on-the ground travel or other support to the

President and his delegation.

Travel by the PGA

Prior to assuming office

• Beijing (China), Delhi (India), August 2016, for bilateral and official meetings. The trip was

supported by the Governments of China and India.

From 13 September 2016, after assuming office

• Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), September 2016, to participate in the official signing

ceremony of the Final Peace Agreement between the Government of Colombia and FARC-EP.

The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund and the Government of Colombia.

• Quito (Ecuador), October 2016, to participate in Habitat III, the UN Conference on Housing and

Sustainable Urban Development. The trip was supported by the Secretariat of Habitat III.

• Marrakech (Morocco), November 2016, to participate in the 2016 UN Climate Change

Conference, COP22. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund and the Kingdom of Morocco.

• Paris (France), Monaco, Rome (Italy), the Holy See, Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary),

November 2016, for bilateral talks and meetings with heads of UN agencies and organisations in

Monaco related to Ocean science, and to participate in the 50th Anniversary of UNIDO and

Budapest Water Summit 2016. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund, the Governments of

Monaco and Hungary and UN Agencies based in Rome and Vienna.

• Geneva (Switzerland), December 2016, to address the 107th Council of the International

Organisation for Migration. This trip was supported by the OPGA Trust Fund.

• Doha (Qatar), United Arab Emirates, Davos & Geneva (Switzerland), January 2017, for

bilateral talks and meetings with UN Agencies based in Geneva, to participate in an informal

retreat on Security Council reform, to address the 7th Assembly of IRENA and attend the World

Economic Forum. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund, the Governments of Qatar and

the United Arab Emirates and the World Economic Forum.

• San Francisco (United States of America), February 2017, to meet with business leaders,

innovators and social media experts of Silicon Valley and Ocean foundations and academia. The

trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund.

• Bali (Indonesia), Singapore, Geneva (Switzerland), February 2017, for bilateral meetings, to

attend The Economist’s 4th World Ocean Summit and to address the opening of the 34th session of

the Human Rights Council. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund, the Government of

Singapore and The Economist.

• Los Angeles (United States of America), Suva (Fiji), March 2017, to meet with business

leaders, innovators and social media experts, to address the Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting

for The Ocean Conference and for bilateral meetings. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust

Fund, the Government of Fiji and personal funds.

• Dakar (Senegal), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cairo (Egypt), March –April 2017, for bilateral

talks and meetings with heads of UN Agencies and the AU, to address the regional meeting on

“Innovations for Infrastructure Development and Sustainable Industrialization” in Dakar in the

margins of the (cancelled) Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic

Development. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund.

• Washington D.C. (United States of America), April 2017, to participate in the Spring Meetings

of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. The trip was supported by OPGA

Trust Fund.

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• Woods Hole (United States of America), April 2017, to visit Woods Hole Oceanographic

Institution. The trip was supported by the OPGA Trust Fund

• Brussels (Belgium), Rome (Italy), the Holy See, May 2017, for bilateral talks and meetings with

heads of UN Agencies, the EU Parliament and EU representatives, to address the opening of the

105th Session of the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of

States and the launch of the “Laudato Si’ Challenge”. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust

Fund.

• Nairobi (Kenya), Bangui (Central African Republic), Entebbe (Uganda), Beijing (China), May 2017, for bilateral talks and meetings with heads of UN Agencies and UN peacekeeping

forces stationed in Bangui, to address the opening ceremony of the UN-HABITAT Governing

Council and the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust

Fund, UN Flight from Bangui to Entebbe.

• Washington D.C. (United States of America), June 2017, to address the 2017 Leadership

Summit of the UN Association of the United States of America. The trip was supported by OPGA

Trust Fund.

• Hawaii (United States of America), June 2017, to participate in the ceremony marking the

homecoming of the Hokule’a. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund.

• Paris (France), June 2017, to address the IEA’s 2nd Global Conference on Energy Efficiency and

the WCRP/IOC International Conference on “Regional Sea Level Changes and Coastal Impacts”.

The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund.

• Rome (Italy), July 2017, to address the opening of the conference on “Oceans, Caring for a

Common Heritage”. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund.

• Hong Kong, August 2017, as part of a follow-up on the outcomes of The Ocean Conference held

at the UN in June 2017. The trip was supported by UN DESA.

• Stockholm (Sweden), August 2017, for bilateral meetings and to address the World Water Week

2017. The trip was supported by OPGA Trust Fund.

Travel by the PGA’s Envoy on SDG implementation and Climate Change, H.E. Mr. Macharia

Kamau

• Capetown (South Africa), February 2017, to attend the First UN World Data Forum, This trip

was supported by the OPGA Trust Fund.

• Abu Dhabi (UAE), February 2017 to address the Abu Dhabi Government Summit. This trip was

supported by the Government of the UAE.

• Utah (USA), January 2017, to address students at Utah University. The trip was supported by

Utah University.

• Berlin (Germany), March 2017, to attend a G20 Green Economy meeting. This trip was

supported by the OPGA Trust Fund.

• Oslo, (Norway), March 2017, to attend a meeting on SDGs. This trip was supported by the

OPGA Trust Fund.

• Hanoi (Vietnam), March 2017, to attend the High-Level Meeting for the Euro-Asia Region on

Improving Cooperation on Transit, Trade Facilitation and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development Euro-Asia region on SDGs

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ANNEX 5: Synopsis of mandates for the 72nd session

Informal processes:

• Ad-hoc Working Group on GA revitalization (res. 71/323)

• Security Council reform (decision 71/553)

• Intergovernmental negotiations leading to the adoption of a global compact for safe,

orderly and regular migration at an intergovernmental conference to be held in 2018

(res. 71/1)

• Informal consultations to identify proposals aimed at addressing gaps and duplication

in the agenda of the General Assembly as they relate to the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development (res. 71/323)

GA meetings:

• High-level Meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total

Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (res. 71/71)

• High-level Meeting on Trafficking in Persons (res. 71/287)

• High-level interactive dialogue on combating sand and dust storms (res. 71/219)

• High-level meeting on Sustaining peace (res. 70/262)

• High-level Meeting in 2018 on fight against Tuberculosis (res. 71/159)

• Annual Commemorative Meeting to commemorate the International Day for the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination (res. 71/181)

• Informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearings with civil society and other

stakeholders by April 2018 (res. 71/280)

• Informal interactive dialogues with candidates for the position of the President of the

73rd session of the General Assembly

Other mandates:

• Drawing up of list of relevant NGOs, civil society organizations, etc. who may

participate in the intergovernmental conference on migration, to be submitted to

Member States no later than April 2018 (res. 71/280)

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Annex 6: PGA End of term report on SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform Our World

An end of term Report from the President of the 71st session of the General Assembly

Summary The President of the General Assembly undertook an extensive range of activities during the 71st session aimed at delivering a universal push to transform our world through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In summary, the President assesses that:

• SDG momentum is growing, but implementation is not yet taking place at the speed or scale required.

• Governments are clearly embracing the SDGs, but fidelity to the 2030 Agenda requires a greater focus on integration, inclusion, empowerment, sustainability and maintaining the conditions for sustaining peace.

• While the great majority of the international community remains committed to the Paris Agreement, climate action is more urgent than ever.

• Integration is a central pillar of the SDGs, but greater effort is needed to keep transversal Goals, such as poverty eradication, to the fore.

• Progress has been made in sensitising the private sector to the SDGs, but governments can do much more to transform financial systems to drive both public and private investment in support of the SDGs. The UN system can play a more proactive role in this area.

• Member States, particularly the most vulnerable, require a UN system that provides them with coherent SDG support at the country level. The Secretary-General’s proposed reforms are crucial in this regard.

• There is enormous scope to deploy innovation and technology in support of the SDGs. The UN has a key role to play in facilitating collaboration between innovators and implementers.

• The Ocean Conference demonstrated the global interest in uniting around the SDGs. It reminded us that multi-stakeholder collaboration at all levels is key to delivering the SDGs.

• A more effective campaign is required to raise global awareness of the SDGs at individual and community levels.

• Greater effort is needed to place young people and vulnerable communities in driving seats of SDG implementation.

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Ending poverty and placing humanity on a path that delivers shared prosperity, sustained peace and environmental sustainability by 2030 is attainable. We’ve made a good start but time is of the essence.

September 2017

I. Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform Our World was selected as the theme of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly by the President, H.E. Mr Peter Thomson. The President committed to strengthening momentum on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to ensuring that the SDGs would remain paramount on the global policy agenda during the transition at the highest levels of the United Nations. Below is an overview of the SDG-related activities undertaken by the President and his office in response to these commitments, as well as a report on key findings and conclusions.

II. Strategy The President’s plans for the session were elaborated on in his SDG Strategy4, introduced to Member States in November 2016. The SDG strategy focussed on the following three priorities:

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(4) Raising the global public’s awareness of the transformative potential and necessity of the

SDGs; (5) Strengthening the momentum in the implementation of each of the 17 SDGs; (6) Supporting the UN and related agencies in making the maximum contribution possible

to the implementation of the SDGs. To deliver on this strategy, the President set up a dedicated team of SDG Advisors within his office led by Special Adviser, Ms Dessima Williams. The team included secondments from Member States, the UN System and the World Bank Group. He also appointed Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya, to serve as the PGA’s Special Envoy on SDG implementation and Climate Change. The President and his team engaged Member States, the UN System and a whole range of external actors throughout the 71st session. In addition to briefing Member States in November, the President received feedback during a mid-term progress report in February 2017; held an SDG Implementation briefing for the new Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, in April 2017, and an end-of-term reporting session with Member States on 8 September 2017.

III. Key activities A detailed table documenting the activities undertaken by the President and his team on each of the 17 SDG is included in Annex 1. Overall, the President’s actions this session included advocacy and awareness raising activities; convening five SDG Actions Events; driving preparations for the successful Ocean Conference; and overseeing progress on a number of SDG-specific files in the General Assembly.

(1) Advocacy and awareness raising The President and his representatives travelled to 32 countries to advocate with world leaders, governments, multilateral organizations and the general public for comprehensive, integrated and early action on the SDGs. They visited countries within all five geographical regions, as well as UN Offices in Vienna, Nairobi, Rome, Bangkok, Geneva and New York. They attended major UN conferences in Ecuador, Morocco and Turkmenistan, and engaged key actors beyond the UN at the European Union and the Africa Union, at the World Economic Forum, the OECD and the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings. The President also visited Silicon Valley to meet with the private sector in pursuit of innovation for the SDGs. The President’s SDG Envoy and his Special Adviser on SDGs represented the President at over 20 international meetings assessing preparedness for SDG Implementation. This included meetings on health, education, data, transport, the Ocean, migration, governance and finance. The President was also represented in meetings of the five UN regional commissions in recognition of the strong regional dimension to the SDGs. The President placed specific emphasis on reaching the world’s young people, who stand to lose most if the SDGs are not implemented. He advocated for SDG Learning and the incorporation of the SDGs into the national curriculum of every country in the world. He wrote to all Heads of State and Government on this subject and requested leading third level institutions across the world to do like-wise in their sector. The President and his office met with groups of young people throughout the session and advocated for the SDGs to be understood as both rights and responsibilities.

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In addition, the President sought to raise SDG awareness within both traditional and new media. Specifically, he organized SDG Social Media Zones on the margins of the General Debate of the General Assembly, at a number of his SDG Action Events and at COP22, where social media companies engaged leaders on what it will take to realize the SDGs. The President of the General Assembly’s twitter followers increased by over 80%, in large part due to his consistent messaging on SDG action.

(2) PGA convened SDG Action Events In choosing to convene five SDG Action Events in the resumed session of the Assembly, the President was mindful of avoiding duplication with the SDGs under review at HLPF 2017; as well as those Goals that were addressed by dedicated UN fora such as the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Human Rights Council. Each meeting responded to the unique context of each issue, promoted an integrated approach to SDG implementation and sought to draw out the gender equality dimensions of each subject.

F. Sustaining Peace Recognizing that SDG implementation requires an integrated, coherent and coordinated approach to peace, development, human rights and humanitarian efforts, the President convened a High-Level Event on 24 January entitled ‘Building Sustainable Peace for All: Synergies between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustaining Peace’. In a demonstration of the need for this integrated and fresh approach, the meeting brought together the presiding officers of four UN Organs – the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council – and the Peacebuilding Commission. During the discussion, speaker after speaker rose to reinforce the critical nexus between sustaining peace and sustainable development. This included views on how the UN system could take advantage of synergies to promote the effective implementation of the SDGs and the achievement of sustainable peace5. The message was expanded on at practical levels during the President’s official visit to the Central African Republic in May 2017.

G. Climate Change The President convened a High Level SDG Action Event on Climate Change and Sustainable Development on 23 March 2017 in partnership with UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Ms Patricia Espinosa. The meeting sought to ensure the spotlight remained firmly on climate change and, specifically, on the need for climate action by all actors, despite changes in the global political landscape. The High Level Event benefitted from deep and broad engagement of Member States, experts and stakeholders from all sectors who reiterated their political commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and drew attention to the clearly defined interlinkages between action on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda, particularly as focus shifts to implementation.6

5 http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/Summary-of-the-High-level-Dialogue-on-Building-Sustainable-Peace-for-

All.pdf 6 http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/President-Summary_SDG-Action-Event-on-Climate-and-SD_23-March-

2017_FINAL.pdf

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The Office of the PGA also sought to green its own activities including by offsetting all emissions from travel undertaken by the Office; by supporting installation of three charging stations for electric vehicles in the UN garage; and by providing approximately 5000 reusable water bottles for the Ocean Conference.

H. Sustainable Finance Recognizing that a major increase in investment is required to realize the SDGs and that investment needs differ from goal to goal, region to region and country to country, the President, working closely with the UNEP Inquiry, convened an SDG Financing Lab on 18 April. The meeting brought together Member States, the UN system, private investors, civil society, and academia to advance discussions on how to mobilize the estimated US$5-7 trillion in annual investments needed to achieve the SDGs. Building on the findings of the SDG Financing Lab,7 the President convened a two day Sustainable Finance Retreat on 12-14 June 2017, with support from the Group of Friends of Sustainable Development Goals Financing, co-chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Canada and Jamaica. Entitled ‘Catalyzing New Coalitions to Accelerate Co-Financing of Sustainable Infrastructure’, the retreat brought together a small group of capital-based government officials, senior representatives from the global private financial sector and leaders from development finance institutions, academia, the UN Secretariat, and other international organizations. It set out to identify existing opportunities and challenges to unlocking financing solutions for specific projects in sustainable infrastructure and for aligning the financial system with the SDGs. The retreat’s findings, which were discussed at a Ministerial level breakfast meeting during the High Level Political Forum in July 2017, include recommendations for Member States, the UN, IFIs and others.8 Though specific to sustainable infrastructure financing, they are also applicable more broadly to private investment in the SDGs including climate change and building resilience, and reflect the overall conclusion that there is much the UN system can do to promote closer engagement between governments and the business sector, both as a trusted convener and at country level.

I. Innovation On 17 May, building on the ECOSOC Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation, the President convened an SDG Action Event on Innovation and Connectivity. The meeting came about following the President’s travel to Silicon Valley and Los Angeles and engagement with key innovators from across the world. Working closely with Los Angeles-based XPrize, the President brought leading innovators, thought-leaders, and technology companies to the UN to engage with Member States and the UN system on how emerging technologies can be used to best effect and to ensure successful implementation of the SDGs. Using an engaging format, the meeting succeeded in increasing understanding and awareness of the opportunities and challenges of new technology and exponential change. It highlighted the need for a significant strengthening of the UN’s ability to act as a catalyst for innovation and technological solutions to the SDGs.9

7 http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/SDG-Lab-Summary.pdf 8 http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/08/Pocantico-Retreat-Summaryfnl.pdf 9 http://www.un.org/pga/71/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/08/ummary-SDG-Action-Event-on-Innovation.pdf

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/TFM/STIForum2017

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J. Education Following extensive outreach by the President and his office throughout the session including attendance at major conferences on Education in London, Ottawa, Doha and elsewhere, the President convened a High-Level Event on Education in New York in partnership with key SDG4 stakeholders on 28 June. The meeting took a holistic approach in exploring what it will take to realize the Education SDG, looking at financing needs, at empowering youth, at education in humanitarian and emergency settings, as well as at education for sustainable development. The meeting helped to bring together the many stakeholders who work in this sector, to identify some areas where greater attention is needed and to push for renewed partnership and collaboration to achieve SDG 4.10 It also helped to build a strong global network among youth advocates for education from the global South.

K. UN Ocean Conference Building on his past work on Ocean issues and SDG14, President Thomson and his team played a central role in preparing for the Ocean Conference, held on 5-9 June 2017 at UN Headquarters, New York. The Ocean Conference proved to be a benchmark example of multiple actors coming together to determine an ambitious and action-oriented response to one of the SDGs, in this case SDG 14, the Ocean Goal. These actors included the Co-Presidents of the Conference Fiji and Sweden, the Secretary-General of the Conference (USG DESA), the Special Adviser to the Co-Presidents (USG OLA), the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations Portugal and Singapore, the UN System and a host of external partners from civil society, the business sector, NGOs, IGOs, and the scientific community. All were united in delivering a conference that witnessed both Governments and the world wide ocean community rallying in support of SDG14’s implementation. The President worked to promote global awareness of SDG14 through The Ocean Conference. He pushed for the empowerment of Ocean partners in the research, technology and creative communities, including by attending Ocean-related conferences across the world and transmitting a large number of video-messages. Throughout, he called for outcomes that would deliver the necessary partnerships, programmes, commitments and call for action to reverse the cycle of decline into which accumulated human activity has placed the Ocean, urging strong follow-up measures from the conference that would ensure the commitments made are implemented. The Ocean Conference resulted in over 1395 voluntary commitments pledged by stakeholders aimed at advancing the implementation aspects of SDG 14. Critically, the assembled world expertise produced solutions to Ocean’s problems presented at 7 partnership dialogues. An ambitious ‘Call for Action’ outcome document was agreed to by Member States; with subsequent adoption by the General Assembly.

(3) Overseeing implementation of GA mandates of direct relevance to the SDGs

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During the 71st session, there was broad agreement that an enabling global environment and a UN system that is fit for purpose is needed to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Thus, a number of steps were taken in this direction, particularly in the General Assembly:

• QCPR: The agreement by the General Assembly of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System has provided the Secretary-General with a clear mandate to advance reforms that will make the UN more capable of supporting Member States to implement the SDGs. The report from the Secretary-General in July 201711 was a direct follow-up to the QCPR resolution and further action will follow in the 72nd session.

• Technology Bank: The General Assembly formally established the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries thereby supporting the achievement of SDG 17.6 and an important element of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

• SDG Global Indicator Framework: Following action by the UN Statistical Commission and the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly adopted the Global Indicator Framework for the SDGs and targets, which will serve as crucial part of the SDG implementation architecture.

• Alignment process: Consultations aimed at bringing about greater alignment of the agenda of the GA, ECOSOC and the HLPF with the SDGs were held under the leadership of the Permanent Representatives of Argentina and Australia. These consultations resulted in a number of recommendations for the General Assembly, the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECOSOC. Consultations will continue during the 72nd session mandated by the General Assembly.12

• Global Migration compact: Following the adoption of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants in September 2016, intergovernmental negotiations of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration got underway led by the Permanent Representatives of Mexico and Switzerland, with both thematic consultations and multi-stakeholder hearings convened by the President, as part of the lead-up to the 2018 Intergovernmental Conference during the 73rd session on this subject.

• Human Trafficking: Consultations on the preparations for a High Level Meeting on Human Trafficking on 27-28 September during the 72nd session were concluded. Agreement was reached on a short Ministerial Declaration which draws attention to an area that is the explicit focus of three SDG targets.

• Habitat III and the HLM on the New Urban Agenda: The outcome document of the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, the New Urban Agenda, was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2017. The President also convened a two day High Level Meeting on the New Urban Agenda and the positioning of UN Habitat in that regard, on 5-6 September which responded to the Report of the High Level Independent Panel to Assess and Enhance Effectiveness of UN-Habitat.

11 https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/node/1213351 12 Resolution on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly to be adopted on 8 September.

https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/node/1213351

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• South-South Cooperation: Led by the Permanent Representative of Uganda, consultations were concluded agreeing to the modalities for the 2019 Conference on South-South Cooperation to be hosted by Argentina.

• Dialogues on Water-related SDGs: Co-chaired by Hungary and Tajikistan, two working level dialogues discussed improving the integration and coordination of the work of the UN on the water-related goals and targets. A summary of discussions was circulated to Member States that included a number of important findings and recommendations.

The President also convened a number of mandated meetings of the General Assembly that

were of direct relevance to SDG implementation. These included:

• 19 September – High-Level Meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants;

• 21 September – High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance;

• 22 September – High-Level Meeting to commemorate 30th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development;

• 2 December 2017 – High-Level Meeting to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

• 3 March 2017 – High-Level Thematic Discussion on the global observance of World

Wildlife Day, including on the protection of wild flora and fauna and on tackling illicit

trafficking in wildlife;

• 21 March 2017 – Commemorative plenary meeting of the General Assembly to mark the

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;

• 21 April 2017 – Interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature to commemorate

International Mother Earth Day;

• 25 April 2017 – High-level Event to mark the Tenth Anniversary of the Adoption of the

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

IV. Key findings and conclusions A number of findings and conclusions can be drawn from the work undertaken on SDGs during the 71st session by the President and his team, along with their engagements with key global networks and SDG actors.

(1) SDG Momentum is growing but implementation is not yet taking place at the speed and scale required.

A vast array of stakeholders in governments, civil society, the private sector and academia are taking the first steps towards implementation of the SDGs. The appetite for action was clearly on show at conferences and meetings across the world, along with the PGA’s SDG Action Events and in the many processes underway here at the UN. At the same time, many millions of people and indeed a number of countries, are at risk of being left behind. Early progress on the SDGs seems to show that implementation of the individual goals is at best uneven. This was recognized in the UN’s SDG Progress Report 2017 which states that ‘advancements have been uneven across regions, between the sexes, and among people of different ages, wealth and locales, including urban and rural dwellers.’

https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/summit

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Equally worrying is the fact that the Earth reached record temperatures in 2016 for the third year in a row;13 that women continue to spend almost triple the amount of time on unpaid domestic and care work as men,14 and that the number of people forcibly displaced around the world is at its highest in decades.15 Clearly, a sea-change in ambition is required to meet our 2030 objectives.

(2) Governments are embracing the SDGs but fidelity to the 2030 Agenda requires deeper change.

Countries at different stages of development are embracing the 2030 Agenda. During his country visits and attendance of meetings at the regional commissions, the President and his team consistently observed the spread of the 2030 Agenda’s message. Interest in the High Level Political Forum is growing as evidenced by the 43 countries wishing to present their national strategies at the HLPF this year. It remains to be seen whether this global response sufficiently embraces the central principles of the 2030 Agenda namely ending poverty in all its forms, leaving no one behind, and taking an integrated approach that fully respects the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

(3) SDGs are high on the global economic agenda but both global and local financial systems must be transformed to direct trillions towards SDG implementation.

The President’s engagements at the World Economic Forum and the World Bank Spring Meetings, with the G20 and with leading actors from the private finance, show that as an action plan for a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable world, the 2030 Agenda resonates very highly with those who hold the global and national purse-strings. This is also evident in commitments in December 2016 from more than 60 donor and borrower governments for a record USD75 billion funding for the World Bank’s International Development Association,16 in trends on global development assistance,17 and in funding announcements in areas such as gender equality and sustainable infrastructure. In order to translate this positivity into real investment, a series of changes must be undertaken at both national and international levels. The UN can and must play a greater role in advancing implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. At the global level, for example, the UN can use its convening power to bring government, international financial institutions and private investors together to remove regulatory obstacles and align international strategies in support of Agenda 2030. The UN could assist by convening platforms for individual governments or groups to discuss the financing and investments needed to implement their SDG and Climate action plans with the financial and corporate sectors.

13 NASA, https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/climate-trends-continue-to-break-records 14 UN SDG Progress report 2017 15 UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2016/ 16 World Bank, http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/348661486654455091/pdf/112728-correct-file-PUBLIC-Rpt-from-EDs-

Additions-to-IDA-Resources-2-9-17-For-Disclosure.pdf 17

SDG Progress Report 2017: From 2015 to 2016, official development assistance (ODA) rose by 8.9 per cent in real terms to 142.6 billion

US dollars, reaching a new peak.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/climate-trends-continue-to-break-records

http://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2016/

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Similarly, at the country level, the UN System must become more accustomed to supporting Governments in the attraction and deployment of both public and private investment, to catalyzing robust pipelines of bankable projects, to encouraging new partnerships, and to stimulating new coalitions of domestic and cross-border investors. In addition, the UN needs to develop capacity to engage in the global conversation on the sharing economy and the circular economy.

(4) Climate action is more urgent than ever. Unless radical action is taken over the coming years, the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement will quickly prove unachievable. Now is the time for genuine Climate champions to emerge from all sectors and for the United Nations to continue to play a firm leadership role. Faster, deeper and more dedicated climate action is needed to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience. Scaled up collective action on climate change will also be directly beneficial for a range of SDGs, which all link in with the efforts to curb climate change: food, water, energy, urban development and transport, infrastructure, sustainable consumption and production, biodiversity and the Ocean.

(5) Greater effort is needed to keep Goals of a transversal nature to the fore. The integrated nature of the SDGs is a defining feature of the 2030 Agenda. It reminds us of the inextricable linkages between peace, gender equality, environmental sustainability, social progress and economic development. In taking this approach, however, it is incumbent upon us to see that cross-cutting issues like poverty eradication, reducing inequalities and promoting sustainable consumption and production do not slip below the radar. These goals, which rely on action by governments and the general public, must remain at the fore of both our communications and programming strategies.

(6) Member states, particularly the most vulnerable, require a UN system that can provide them with coherent support at the country level. The Secretary-General’s proposed reforms are crucial in this regard.

The United Nations system has a crucial role to play in supporting SDG implementation, especially in the most vulnerable countries. The appointment of Secretary-General Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed and key global development leaders to the UN System, means that the UN is now ready to act on this role. The implementation of the SDGs requires both a different approach and a different catalogue of expertise from the UN System. It is essential that the support and trust availed to the Secretary-General and his team be maintained over the coming years as the Secretary-General advances his reforms across the Organization. Universal support is also needed to align the work of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the High-Level Political Forum with the SDGs, building on work undertaken in this area in the 70th and 71st sessions. Two years into the SDGs, Member States may also wish to consider how different for a such as the HLPF can best be organized to support Member State implementation efforts.

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(7) The enormous scope for SDG progress through innovation has yet to be realized From the President’s Innovation Event and his engagement with the world’s leading technologists, it is clear that as technology develops at exponential rates, these changes, if managed well, can be deployed to greatly accelerate SDG implementation. The United Nations can play a leading role in matching innovations with global challenges. Given the implications for humanity of unchartered territory in such fields as artificial intelligence, the UN could also play a leading role in creating do-no-harm principles to guide technological innovations. More action will be needed to build this interface and both increase access to and manage the growing gap between exponential technology development and the international system’s capacity to meaningfully engage with this sector.

(8) SDG success required greater multi-stakeholder collaboration

The 2030 Agenda states that ‘all countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will implement this plan’. The Ocean Conference demonstrated how such collaborative partnerships can be mobilized around one specific SDG, but a systematic approach has not yet been taken to advancing such partnerships in relation to the overall Agenda and many of the other SDGs. Willing actors, particularly from non-traditional sectors have repeatedly reported difficulties in finding the right point of contact within the UN to build strategic relations to advance the SDGs for the duration of the 2030 Agenda. This gap was identified in the report from the Secretary-General on UN Development System reforms. It is essential that this be dealt with as a matter of urgency so that the full potential of collective action on the SDGs can be harnessed. Partnerships is an essential element of the SDG Implementation. A half-hearted approach by the UN towards partnership is not acceptable. Rewards greatly outweigh risks, and where the latter exist, our systems must be established to mitigate them.

(9) SDG awareness and community-level ownership levels remain far too low

Significant efforts have been made by DPI, the UN SDG Action Campaign, Project Everyone, Global Compact and others to bring the message and urgency of the SDGs to the global public. Different UN entities at country-level are also making strides in this regard. Overall, however, the level of penetration remains low.18 A massive and sustained effort is required to increase awareness. Action is also needed to go beyond awareness and ensure that the SDGs are owned by the people. Ownership and participation including by civil society, can help identify the right policy choices, align personal behaviour with the SDGs; bring in the voices of the most vulnerable, monitor implementation and hold decision makers to account. If humankind is to achieve the future we want, a sustainable relationship with the planet we inhabit, the 2030 Agenda must be implemented. It will not be implemented if those for whom it is designed are unaware of its existence and the rights and responsibilities that they and their communities are required to act upon.

18

Promotion of the sustainable development goals in 2016: an assessment; outreach and advocacy for the 2030 agenda for sustainable

development and climate change, Report from DPI

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Annex 1: Full table of activities taken by OPGA71 in support of momentum across each of the 17 SDGs

Note: This list includes mandated as well as other events. Special Advisor refers to Ambassador Dessima

Williams unless otherwise stated. SDG Envoy refers to the PGA’s Special Envoy on SDG implementation and

climate change, H.E. Macharia Kamau. This list is not exhaustive.

SDG 1 – Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere

• PGA participated in the Commission on Social Development on 1 February 2017,

highlighting his push for social development with the need to end poverty as a core focus.

• PGA’s Special Advisor reached out to leaders and champions representing governments,

local authorities, private sector and civil society of 45 countries through the SDG assembly of

UN ESCAP’s Regional SDG Week. In November 28-30,

• PGA’s Special Advisor represented the PGA in the OECD’s global development forum

from 5-7 April 2017 in Paris, which brought together governments, and the business community

with emphasis on supporting the implementation of the SDGs. Reports from many developing

countries focused on planning for poverty reduction.

• PGA delivered a video-address to leading experts at a Ministerial meeting of UN ECE

countries, with a focus on the integrated nature of SDGs to alleviate poverty, 25-27 April 2017.

• PGA’s Special Advisor attended the forum of countries of Latin America and the

Caribbean on sustainable development from 26-28 April 2017 in Mexico. With a focus on ending

poverty and inequality, the meeting was in preparation for reporting at the HLPF.

• PGA’s Special Advisor addressed the high level ministerial meeting of UN ESCAP

countries in May 2017 which focused on .

• PGA gave the opening statement for the 2017 HLPF (ECOSOC) which was focussed on

ending poverty.

• PGA addressed the high level meeting on building the community of common destiny of

mankind in Geneva on 18 March 2017.

SDG 2 – End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, promote sustainable

agriculture

• PGA reached out through the Zero Hunger Challenge Initiative of the FAO, WFP and

IFAD during the High Level Week of the 71 Session of the UNGA.

• PGA participated in the launch of FAO’s 2016 State of Food and Agriculture Report in

November 2016 which linked food security to other SDGs.

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• PGA visited the Rome-based agencies to emphasize the priority for ending hunger and

promote agriculture in November 2016. He reached out to the representatives of member states

in the FAO’s council.

• PGA initiated the installation of 150,000 Italian honeybees on the North Lawn of the

United Nations in support of SDG 2 (food security) and SDG 15.

• PGA’s Special Advisor hosted a school-style breakfast as part of the opening of the High

Level Education Event, 28 June, 2017 at UN Headquarters.

SDG 3 – Ensure Healthy Lives

• PGA’s Special Advisor, reached out to 1000 global leaders from the government,

scientific and private sector, and health care experts to tackle the most pressing health care

challenges by using the World Innovation Summit on Health which took place in Doha, Qatar

in November 2016.

• PGA convened a briefing with Director General of WHO and USG of OCHA in

November 2016 on the work in progress to improve coordination during international health

emergencies.

• PGA participated in and made opening remarks on 30 November 2016 at “Moving

forward together: Leaving no one behind” a special event to commemorate World AIDS Day

and the commitment to move forward together to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

• PGA’s Special Advisor participated in World Mental Health Day on 7 April 2017 which

focused on innovation and SDG linkages.

• PGA delivered remarks on the implementation of commitments and Political

Declaration on HIV/AIDS, 1 June 2017.

• PGA convened a GA briefing on 4 May on a series of health issues. The meeting

addressed inter-alia health systems strengthening, health emergencies, migration, follow up to the

Secretary-General’s Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, Antimicrobial

Resistances (AMR), preparations for the 2018 High Level Meeting on Fight Against Tuberculosis

and for a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in the prevention and control of non-

communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2018, and preparations for the 2017 High Level Political

Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

SDG 4 – Education

• PGA wrote to all Heads of State or Government to encourage them to include SDG

learning into school curricula and recommended free SDG learning tools such as the World’s

Largest Lesson to support these efforts. Letter was sent in November 2017.

• PGA visited UNESCO Headquarters in November 2016 and gave an address. This was

followed up by the PGA’s Special Advisor participation in UNESCO’s SDG 4-Education 2030

Steering Committee, the committee responsible for providing strategic guidance and monitoring

to support the implementation of SDG 4.

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• As a push to call for the inclusion of SDG curricula in tertiary education, in May 2017,

the PGA sent a letter to heads of some 4,000 institutions of higher learning to encourage them

to encourage SDG research and make SDG learning materials available to their students.

• OPGA met a number of students from around the world through school assemblies and

school visits to further underscore his commitment to the SDG4 as a whole; and especially

SDG4.7, Education for Sustainable Development.

• PGA’s Special Advisor addressed 80 Ministers of Education and over 500 participating

experts in the 2017 Education World Forum, hosted by the United Kingdom in January.

• PGA’s Special Advisor participated in the UNESCO Week for Peace and Sustainable

Development, March 2017, which was organized to discuss education for sustainable

development and global citizenship.

• OPGA advised the Global Goals Educator Task Force to open and maintain the Twitter

account #TeachSDGs which has grown to over 9,500 followers in 6 months and has become a

movement in and of itself.

• On 28 June, PGA convened the SDG Action Event on Education which brought

together civil society, students, young leaders, subject matter experts in education and Member

States to discuss what's needed to achieve SDG 4.

• On 14 July, PGA delivered the keynote address to 100 students from Nord Anglia

Schools worldwide and an equal number of diplomats and educators.

• PGA’s Special Advisor addressed groups of students in the New York City UN

Ambassador’s Programme in a school in the Bronx and at Dwight School in Manhattan who

had been studying the SDGs. .

• In August 2017, PGA invited 50 students from the Practice Makes Perfect programme,

NYC, to the UN to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations.

SDG 5 – Gender Equality

• PGA used the occasion of the International Women Day, which was organized by UN

Women with the participation of high ranking government officials, academia, celebrities and

civil society, to highlight the importance of strengthening the momentum on SDG 5.

• PGA participated in the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 10

February 2017.

• PGA addressed the 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which ran

for two weeks, beginning 13 March 2017.

• PGA made opening remarks at a key exhibition HerStory: A Celebration of Leading

Women in the United Nations held on 13 December 2016.

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• PGA addressed an event to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science:

From Vision to Action Gender, Science and Sustainable Development - The Impact of Media on

10 February 2017.

• PGA addressed an event to mark International Women’s Day 2017 under the theme

Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030 on 8 March 2017.

• At the PGA’s action event on Building Sustainable Peace for all: Synergies between the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustaining Peace on 24 January 2017, a

workshop was held on “Empowering Women and Youth for Peace and Sustainable

Development” to discuss role of women and youth • On 1 May 2017, PGA joined as the

International Gender Champion and announced his commitments as a Gender Champion

during the 71st Session of UNGA. International Gender Champions is a network of senior

leaders working to advance gender equality and has chapters in New York and Geneva.

• PGA achieved gender parity in his office and in senior positions.

SDG 6 – Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation

• Special Advisor addressed the World Toilet Day event organized by the Singaporean

Mission in November 2016.

• PGA addressed the High-level opening segment of the Budapest Water Summit, which

was hosted by the Government of Hungary on 28 November 2016.

• PGA took the leadership role in implementing the mandate of resolution 71/222 of 22

December 2016 on “International Decade for Action, Water for Sustainable Development 2018-

2028” by convening two dialogues, the first on 22 March 2017 and the second on 30 May 2017.

• PGA participated in the Special Event on Priority Actions for Water and Disasters on 20

July, 2017.

• PGA addressed a Water and Sanitation focussed meeting organized by UNICEF and the

WBG during the WBG and IMF’s Spring meeting in Washington DC.

• PGA addressed World Water Week in Stockholm in August 2017 the largest annual

global gathering of water and sanitation professionals.

SDG 7 – Access to Energy for All

• PGA reached out to government leaders, policy makers and entrepreneurs from 175

countries and 639 companies from 30 countries at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu

Dhabi in January 2017. To support an end to energy poverty and for renewable solutions.

• PGA took the momentum further by reaching out to government, businesses and other

stakeholders during the Sustainable Energy for All Forum on 5 April 2017 in New York.

• PGA’s Special Advisor addressed Formula E Car Racing with Italian, Uruguayan and

Chilean Ministers and congratulated them on the occasion of a speed car race in New York,

powered by solar, July 17 2017.

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SDG 8 – Sustainable economic growth, productive employment and decent work

• PGA’s participated in the World Economic Forum and met with the President of the

International Olympic Committee, speaking about sustainable economic development and job

creation and economic, focus on youth.

• PGA reached out to the youth during his missions to Quito, Ecuador, Marrakesh

Morocco, Suva, Fiji and others with emphasis on education, employment and youth

development.in October and November 2017.

• PGA delivered a video-message to the Morocco Forum for Adolescent and Youth

Human Rights ‘Driving Sustainable Development’ held on 8-9 December 2016.

• PGA made opening remarks at the 2017 United Nations Economic and Social Council

Youth Forum (ECOSOC) held in New York on 30 January 2017.

• PGA, with Every Woman Every Child initiative, convened a “Youth Marketplace on

Social Innovations for Health and Wellbeing: Implementing the Sustainable Development

Goals” in the margins of ECOSOC Youth Forum.

SDG 9 – Infrastructure, Industrialization and Innovation

• PGA visited UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna, in November 2016 and held discussions

on the subject.

• The Special Advisor addressed the UN Conference on Transport in Turkmenistan, 26-27

November 2016.

• PGA reached out to African leaders at a meeting in Dakar, Senegal, on 26 March 2017,

on African driven industrialization, organized by UNDESA and UN ECA.

• PGA addressed the Global Infrastructure Forum of 22 April 2017 in Washington DC,

which was established with the endorsement of 193 countries.

• In June 2017, PGA, as part of his support for financing, organized a retreat of a small

number of member states with world known experts on financing for infrastructure

development.. A follow-up meeting was held at Ministerial level on the margins of the HLPF.

• PGA travelled to Silicon Valley to promote innovation for the SDGs.

• PGA hosted an SDG Action Event on Innovation and Connectivity on 18 May.

SDG 10 – Reduce Inequality within and among Countries

• PGA organized a high level panel to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the

Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities on 2 December 2016.

• PGA addressed the annual celebration of the International Day of Older Persons “Take

a Stand Against Ageism” held on 06 October 2016.

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• PGA’s Sustaining Peace event in January 2017 highlighted the growing problems of

unemployment and inequality especially for young women and men.

• PGA engaged with the leaders and champions of youth through ECOSOC’s 19th

Session of the Youth Assembly in 1 February 2017,urging them to harness their voices, energy

and initiatives, since young people number around 1.8 billion across our world.

SDG 11 – Cities and Human Settlements

• PGA reached out to mayors, government administrators, community leaders and others

through the HABITAT III conference in Quito Equador from 17-20 October 2017.

• OPGA engaged with the City of New York Commissioner for International Affairs in

workshops, a heath event and the celebration of Nelson Mandela Day

• PGA addressed the 26th session of the Governing Council of the UN-Habitat to

promote the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, in Nairobi, in May 2017.

• PGA convened a High Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the New Urban

Agenda and the positioning of UN Habitat in that regard, from 5-6 September 2017. On the

margins of the event, the PGA convened a luncheon with Mayors and other stakeholders to

discuss their contribution to SDG implementation.

SDG12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production

• PGA, in partnership with UNEP and WRI, organized a discussion luncheon on

sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns, 23 March 2017 in New York.

• PGA reached out to nearly 1000 innovators, start-ups and computer specialists who

connected, created and collaborated in 9 cities on 5 continents around the world for technology

solutions through the “Global Hackathon 2017” (co-sponsored by UNDP/SDG Action

Campaign). This helped in implementing SDG 9,10 and 12.

• PGA supported the “Greening the Blue”- initiatives of the Secretariat including OCSS to

bring UNHQ’s first electric-vehicle charging stations to the UN garage. PGA promoted

the drinking of tap water instead of buying single use plastic bottles, providing permanent signs

above the water fountains in all the Secretariat and enhanced transparency of water-testing

results on the Greening-the-blue website to UN-buildings encourage lasting a behavioural

change and provide further information about the water testing on the Greening-the-blue

website.

• PGA convened a GA meeting to mark Mother Earth Day on 22 April on the theme

"Environmental & Climate Literacy".

SDG 13 – Climate Change

• PGA participated in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

COP22 in Morocco in order to urge ratification of the Paris Agreement among all Parties to the

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UNFCCC, enhance commitments to climate finance, and increase broad stakeholder

engagement on climate action at all levels.

• PGA convened the mandated plenary meeting of the UNGA on El-Nino.

• PGA convened a High Level SDG Action Event on Climate Change and Sustainable

Development, co-hosted with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa, on 23 March

2017, helping to maintain political momentum during a time of transition for global leadership

and solidify the linkage between climate action and the sustainable development agenda.

• PGA supported the Office for Central Support Services (OCSS) for the installation of

three charging stations for electric vehicles in the UN garage (April 2017) available now to

permit-holders within UN Missions and UN Staff. Studies reveal employees likely to buy a plug-

in car if their employer offers at-work charging stations.

SDG14 – Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources

• PGA engaged with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), International

Atomic Energy Agency – Environment Laboratories (IAEA-MEL), Oceanographic Institute and

Scientific Center in the Principality of Monaco from 19-21 November 2016.

• PGA participated in the Bali Oceans Conference which was organized by The

Economist in 22-24 February 2017, garnering support for ocean finance as well as supporting

the launch of the UNEP-led Clean Seas Campaign and other commitments to reduce ocean

plastic and pollution.

• PGA reached out via an address on video link to Heads of State or Government and

other high ranking participants through the Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Oceans

Conference on 16 March 2017.

• PGA reached out primarily to the private sector by using the platform of the Global

Outlook Forum that was organized by the Norwegian Ship-owners Conference on 28 March

2017 and helped secure Voluntary Commitments from this industry for the Ocean Conference.

• PGA and his Ocean Team worked to raise global awareness and support leaders and

coalitions, leading to the registry of more than 1300 almost 1400 Voluntary Commitments

support humanity’s best efforts to achieve SDG 14.

• PGA, supported by his Ocean Team, led processes leading to and supported the Oceans

Conference of 5-9 June 2017. Over 6,000 participants undertook careful assessments of the

Ocean and bold commitment for a healthier ocean.

SDG 15 – Protect Terrestrial Ecosystems, sustainable forestry, combat desertification,

reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

• PGA supported a dedicated workshop on exploitation of natural resources which was

organized as part of the PGA convened meeting on Sustaining Peace event on 24 January in

New York.

53

• On 3 March 2017, PGA convened a high level thematic discussion on the global

observance of World Wildlife Day entitled "Tackling illicit trafficking in Wildlife "in

collaboration with CITES Secretariat. The meeting sought to advance dialogue on Earth

jurisprudence and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

• PGA’s Special Advisor, addressed the International Day of the Forests on 21 March

2017.

• PGA strengthened the momentum by addressing the United Nations Forum on Forests

in May 2017 in New York.

• PGA’s SDG Envoy attended and addressed the Fifth Global Platform for disaster risk

reduction in Cancun, Mexico, from 24-27 May 2017.

SDG16 – Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, Justice for all and accountable

inclusive institutions at all levels

• PGA convened a High Level SDG Event on sustaining peace and sustainable

development on 24 January 2017.

• PGA convened an informal meeting of the UNGA on children and armed conflict of 8

February 2017,

• PGA convened an informal meeting on global counter-terrorism strategy on 22

February 2017.

• PGA addressed the Special Committee of Peace Keeping on 3 March 2017, highlighting

the importance of sustaining peace.

• PGA travelled to Central African Republic as part of his push for sustaining peace and

met with UN peacekeepers.

• PGA addressed the Human Rights Council on 27 February 2017.

SDG17 – Means of Implementation and Global Partnerships for Sustainable

Development

• PGA engaged with the leadership of OECD on 18 November 2016 in Paris

• PGA’s Special Advisor for SDG Implementation represented the PGA during the

OECD’s SDG week in April 2017.

• PGA tabled a GA resolution to establish the UN Technology Bank for the Least

Developed Countries, which was approved on 23 December 2016.

• PGA organized a dialogue for member states with the German Sherpa for the G20 in

early 2017 as well as one on the new instruments for sustainable development financing with the

World Bank Group.

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• PGA’s SDG Envoy participated in in the UN World Data Forum, which took place

from 15-18 January 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.

• PGA addressed the High-Level Forum on Official Statistics of 48th United Nations

Statistical Commission.

• Through a video message, PGA reached out to participants of the international Bali

Democracy Forum that looked into religion, democracy and pluralism on 8 December 2017.

• PGA’s SDG Envoy reached out to around 4000 experts from government, businesses,

international development community, civil society and others from around 130 countries

through the World Governance Summit in Dubai from 12-14 February 2017.

• PGA convened the SDG financing lab, a High Level SDG Action Event, on 18 April in

New York. It considered the regulatory and policy levels to align global capital markets and

examine concrete strategies and financial instruments available for financing of the SDGs.

• PGA used the platform of the ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development that

was organized on 2 March 2017 to highlight the importance of reforms and to make the

operational delivery of the UN Development System more effective.

• PGA’s SDG Envoy reached out to high ranking officials of the governments and

international organizations through the high level Euro-Asia Regional Meeting to improve

cooperation on transit, trade facilitation and 2030 Agenda that was organized in Hanoi, Vietnam

from 7-9 March 2017.

• PGA appointed the PRs of Argentina and Australia to lead consultations on the

alignment of the agenda of the General Assembly with the 2030 Agenda which resulted in a

commitment from the GA to continue this work in the next session.

• In June 2017, PGA hosted a retreat for a small number of member states, with world-

known expertise from governments, investors and finance institutions on sustainable finance for

infrastructure development. This was a response to the key concerns of member states regarding

the infrastructure financing gap. A follow-up meeting at Ministerial Level was held on the

margins of the HLPF.

the president ofthe general assembly...general assembly 6 october 2017 excellency, in line with...

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