LRWC was among 460 civil society organisations from 115 countries signing a letter to UN member States seeking their support to ensure effective participation of civil society during the upcoming UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) scheduled for 7-16 July 2020.
June 2020
Dear Excellencies,
We, the undersigned 460 civil society organisations (CSOs) from 115 countries, write to seek your support in ensuring the effective participation of civil society during the upcoming UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) scheduled for 7-16 July 2020. As the preeminent multistakeholder body responsible for the review and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), HLPF processes derive strength from the engagement of diverse actors including a broad range of civil society organisations working at various levels. As the HLPF transitions to virtual communication and convening for its July 2020 session due to the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that all relevant actors, including States and UN agencies, support and devise clear modalities to enable robust virtual civil society participation.
In response to disruptions caused by COVID-19, a number of Inter-governmental bodies have taken concerted efforts to facilitate extensive virtual participation in official meetings. Inclusive virtual modalities are crucial to supporting international cooperation in the spirit of multilateralism. An enabling environment for all stakeholders to participate that takes into account digital divides is thus crucial.
In his “We are all in this Together” statement of 23 April 2020, UN Secretary General António Guterres underlined the importance of promoting and protecting civic space in response to COVID-19. With respect to the SDGs, Secretary General Guterres unequivocally stated that, “Looking ahead, we need to build back better. The Sustainable Development Goals — which are underpinned by human rights — provide the framework for more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies”. Civil society is key to implementing the SDGs and we must take united action to ensure that the virtual HLPF reflects the broad spectrum of stakeholders who are committed to creating The World We Want.
To this end, we urge all states and UN agencies to support the following measures:
- Provide an opportunity for at least three Major Group and Other stakeholders to respond to each Voluntary National Review (VNR), one of which should be from civil society.
- Representatives from national civil society groups voices should be prioritized for inclusion during the HLPF, with adequate representation from regional and international civil society organisations.
- Written questions should also be presented and answered within a month of the HLPF for those who are unable to ask their question within the given time of the VNR session.
- All civil society shadow VNR reports should be published on the UN’s official HLPF website.
- Ensure side events are inclusive of stakeholder participation, including a wide range of civil society led side online events to be shared in the official programme.
- Identify more participatory approaches to engage with stakeholders on an ongoing basis, including best practice on use of online meeting technology to provide inputs, to ensure a more inclusive process before, during and after the main HLPF sessions
We thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
- A Toda Voz AC
- Aakash Welfare Society Hyderabad
- Access Now
- Acción Solidaria
- ACCIONA Transformando Caminospara SER y HACER A.C.
- Accountability Lab
- Achtung labs private limited
- ACT Alliance
- ActionAid Denmark
- ActionAid International
- Action for Sustainable Develpment
- ADAB (Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh)
- ADD International
- Adivasi Women’s Network
- Adivasi-Koordination, Germany
- Advocacy, Research, Training and Services (ARTS) Foundation
- Afghan NGOs Coordination Bureau (ANCB)
- Ageing Nepal
- Agenda Cero A.C.
- Aid Organization
- AIDS-Fondet – The Danish AIDS Foundation
- AidWatch Canada
- AIESEC MÉXICO A.C.
- Al Dua welfare organization
- Al Falah Organization Islampur Swat
- Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
- Alfalah Tanzeem Swat
- Alimentos de México a Compartir, A. C.
- Alkhidmat Foundation GB
- Allai Developement Organization
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- Amnesty International
- Amnistia Inernacional, Portugal
- Animis Philanthropic Ventures Inc.
- Arab Youth Platform for Sustainable Development – League of Arab States
- ARCADIA – Romanian Association for International Cooperation and Development
- Argentine Network for International Cooperation – RACI
- ARTICLE 19
- Asia Dalit Rights Forum
- Asia Development Alliance
- Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center
- Asian Solidarity Economy Council (ASEC)
- Asociación de Organismos No Gubernamentales (ASONOG)
- Asociación Mexicana de Amigos Metabólicos, A.C. A.C.
- Asociación Nacional de Síndrome de Williams AC
- Association femmes leadership et développement durable
- Association for Farmers Rights Defense, AFRD
- Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia
- Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
- Association Nationale des Partenaires Migrants
- Associations 21 Augustinians International (Curia Generalizia Agostiniana)
- Avoid Accident
- Awaz Foundation Pakistan
- AwazCDS-Pakistan
- Azat Foundation
- Baghbaan
- Bai Indigenous Womens Network in the Philippines
- Bangladesh Indigenous Women’s Network
- Bangladesh Nari Progati Shangha (BNPS)
- Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio & Communication
- Biosauenergie
- Bond
- Born Free Foundation
- Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
- British Columbia Council For International Cooperation
- Brooke
- Bulgarian Platform for International Development (BPID)
- Burundi Child Rights Coalition (BCRC)
- CAFSO-WRAG for Development
- Canadian Council for International Co-operation
- Cancer Aid Society
- Caribbean Coalition for Development and the Reduction of Armed Violence (CDRAV)
- Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)
- Center for Civil Liberties
- Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines
- Center for National and International Studies
- Centre for Environmental Justice
- Centre for Human Rights and Development
- Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
- Centre for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI)
- Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights
- Centro de Arte y Cultura Popular Tonalteca A.C.
- Centro de Justicia y Paz – Cepaz
- Centros de cuidado, Atencion y educación integral coralitos AC
- ChildHelp Sierra Leone
- Christian Blind Mission
- Church of Sweden
- Church Women United Washington DC Unit
- Civic Initiatives
- CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
- Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development
- Civil Society SDGs Campaign/GCAP Zambia
- CIVILIS Derechos Humanos
- COAST Trust
- Colectivo Ollin, Alternativas para la Comunicaciòn, la Sexualidad y el Desarrollo Comunitario AC
- Colectivo pro Inclusión e Igualdad Jalisco, A. C.
- Colores del Rincón A.C. – MY World México
- Commons Cluster of the UN NGO Major Group
- Commons for EcoJustice
- Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
- Commonwealth Medical Trust
- Community Advancement through Research & Development CARD
- Community Initiatives for development in Pakistan
- Comunidad de Organizaciones Solidarias
- Concord Italia
- CONCORD Sweden
- Congrégation des soeurs de Notre Dame de Charité du Bon Pasteur
- Congregation of Notre Dame de Montreal
- Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
- Congregation of the Mission
- Consorcio para el Diálogo Parlamentario y la Equidad Oaxaca A.C:
- Cooperation for Peace and Development (CPD)
- CoopeSoliDar R.L
- Coordinación de ONG y Cooperativas CONGCOOP
- Council for NGOs in Malawi – CONGOMA
- Council for Participatory Development
- Crispin Swedi Bilombele
- CRV & Co
- D.C. Unit Church Women United
- Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation
- Dalit NGO Federation, Nepal
- Dalit Youth Alliance (DYA)
- DanChurchAid
- Danish United Nations Association
- Dawn Development Organization
- Debasis Chowdhury Rana
- DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
- Dehi Ijtimai Tarqyati Social Workers Council (DITSWC)
- Dehi Taraqiati Tanzeem (DTT) BILLITANG KOHAT KPK
- Derecho, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (DAR)
- Desértica, Soluciones Endovasculares A.C.
- Despertares Derechos Humanos
- Development Dynamics
- DHEWA (development for health education work & awareness) Welfare Society Chakwal Bheen
- Dillu Prasad Ghimire
- District Development Association
- District Development Association Tharparkar (DDAT)
- Dóchas
- Dominican Leadership Conference
- Dosse SOSSOUGA
- Dr. Tristaca McCray
- DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung)
- DUF – The Danish Youth Council
- Earth Community
- East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
- Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research
- Edmund Rice International
- EMPOWER INDIA
- Empresa marhnos®
- Environmental Partnership Council
- EOS – Association for Studies, Cooperation and Development
- Equality Bahamas
- Equality For All Development Organisation
- Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation
- Ethiopian Human Rights Council
- European Youth Forum
- Fagaras Research Institute
- Federation of Environmental and Ecological Diversity for Agricultural Revampment and Human Rights
- Feminist Dalit Organizations (FEDO)
- FIAN Sri Lanka
- Finnish Development NGOs Fingo
- Fixing The World
- FKM BKA YWU
- FOKUS – Forum for Women and Development
- Fondazione Proclade Internazionale – onlus
- Food Security Network-PRAN
- Foreign Spouses Support Group and Malaysian Campaign for Equal Citizenship
- Former Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission Nepal
- Forum for Women in Democracy
- Forum of women’s NGOs of Kyrgyzstan
- Forum Syd
- Forus
- Foundation for Older Persons’ Development (FOPDEV)
- Foundation For Sustainable Development and Climate Action (FSDCA)
- Freshwater Action Network Mexico (FANMex)
- Friends of Angola
- FUNDACIÓN CONSTRUIR
- Fundación Dibujando un Mañana
- Fundación Heinrich Böll – Ciudad de México, México y el Caribe
- Fundación Mexicana de Medicina Paliativa y Alivio del Dolor en Cáncer A.C.
- Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A. C. MEXFAM
- FUNDACIÓN MÉXICO MOTIVACTE A.C
- Fundación MYWM- MY World México
- Fundación Sanders AC
- FUNDACION SERENDIPIA A.C.
- Fundamedios
- Gals Forum International
- Gatef orginzation
- Generacion2030
- GESIP Centro para la Gestión Integral y Participativa S.C.
- Gestión Estratégica para Resultados de Desarrollo S.C.
- Gestos (soropositividade, comunicação, gênero)
- Global Call to Action against Poverty
- Global Citizen
- Global Integrity
- Global NGO Executive Committee
- Global Shepherds
- Globalt Fokus
- Good Shepherd International Foundation- Nepal
- Good Shepherd Sisters
- Gopal Kiran Samaj Sevi Sanstha
- Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services (GEARS) Initiative Zambia
- Gram Bharati Samiti (GBS)
- GREENfluidics
- Groupe d’Action pour le Progrès et la Paix (G.A.P.P.-Afrique)
- Groupe d’Action pour le Progrès et la Paix (G.A.P.P.-BÉNIN)
- Groupe d’Action pour le Progrès et la Paix (G.A.P.P.-Mali)
- Grupo Holístico para el bienestar investigación y desarrollo social Integral, A.C
- H. AYUNTAMIENTO DE TECAMACHALCO, PUEBLA MEX.
- HAKI Africa
- HelpAge Deutschland
- Hevas Innovación
- Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP)
- IMCS Pax Romana
- IMS (International Media Support)
- Incidencia y Gobernanza Ambiental AC
- INCIDIR, A. C.
- Institute for Socioeconomic Studies – INESC
- Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary -Loreto Generalate
- Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo (ICD)
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, AC
- International Association for Religious Freedom Coordination Council for South Asia
- International Commission of Jurists
- International Federation of Business and Professional Women
- International IPMSDL
- International Movement for Advancement of Education Culture Social & Economic Development (IMAECSED)
- International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists
- International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development
- International Open Network
- International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR)
- International Planned Parenthood Federation
- International Service for Human Rights
- International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)
- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
- INTRAC
- Jaag Welfare Movement
- Jairos Jiri Association
- Jandran Welfare Foundation
- Japan Civil Society Network on SDGs
- Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC)
- Jeunes Verts Togo
- Julián Carrillo My Words México Kids
- Juventud 2030 GTO.
- K.U.L.U. – Women and Development (KULU)
- Kafka Welfare Organization
- Kamal Subedi
- Kanimi EcoTienda
- Karapatan Alliance Philippines
- Kathak Academy
- Khpal Kore Organization
- KINDERENERGY
- Kothowain (Vulnerable Peoples Development Organization)
- Kyawkrup Foundation
- La Transformación del Graffiti al Arte Pictorico, A. C.
- Lanakaná Princípios Sustentáveis
- Lanka Fundamental Rights Organization
- Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation
- Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
- Lepaje Environmental Organization
- Let There Be Light International
- LGBT+ Danmark
- Life Education and Development Support (LEADS)
- Light for the World
- LSO Sada-e-Thal Welfare Organization
- Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
- Malaysian CSO SDG Alliance
- Maldives NGO Federation
- Maleya Foundation
- Maranatha Hope
- Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, Inc.
- Más Coudadanía, AC
- Mechanism for Rational Change MERC
- Medical Mission Sisters
- Mihai and Maria Foundation
- Mitini Nepal
- MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health & Rights
- Mujer Y Salud en Uruguay – MYSU
- MUSONET
- MY World Mexico
- Myanmar Youth Foundation for SDG
- Nagorik Uddyog
- Natasha Dokovska
- National Advocacy for Rights of Innocent-NARI Foundation
- National Campaign Against COVID-19
- National Campaign for Education Nepal
- National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
- National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights
- National CSO Platform of Sri Lanka
- National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
- National Organization for Sustainable Development (NOSD)
- National Trade Union Center (NTUC Phl)
- National Youth Council of Russia
- Neelab Children and Women Development council
- Neighbourhood Community Network
- Nepal Development Initiative (NEDI)
- Nepal Climate Change Federation
- Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organization
- Nepal SDGs Forum
- NGO EFA
- NGO Federation of Nepal
- NGOCSW/NYC Women and Girls of African Descent Caucus N. America, Latin America and the Caribbean Descent N. America
- Nigeria Network of NGOs
- Noakhali Rural Development Organization
- NOSOTROS POR LOS NIÑOS CON CÁNCER A.C.
- Observatory of Vulnerable peoples’ Rights (OVPR)
- Okogun Odigie Safewomb International Foundation (OOSAIF)
- ONAAR Development Organization
- ONE (SINGAPORE)
- ONG PADJENA
- Open School of Sustainable Development (Openshkola)
- Organizacion Mexicana de Enfermedades Raras
- Organización por la Cooperación Ecológica A.C.
- Organization for the Marginalized And Neglected Groups OMANG
- Our Fish, Denmark
- Outreach Social Care Project – OSCAR
- OutRight Action International
- Pakistan Development Alliance (GCAP-Pakistan)
- Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights
- Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA)
- Participatory Research Action Network- PRAN
- Peace Infinity
- Peace Justice Youth Organization
- PEREMPUAN AMAN
- Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
- Plan International
- PlanBørnefonden
- Plataforma de ONG de Accion Social
- Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD (NGDO Portuguese Platform)
- Portuguese National Youth Council
- Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights
- POSCO Agenda 2030/GCAP Sénégal
- Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA)
- Povod
- Programa Venezolano de Educación-Acción en DDHH (Provea)
- Projonma Academy
- Promotora Juvenil don Bosco AC
- Proyecto Cantera Juntos por México AC
- Purvanchal Rural Development and Training Institute
- Radanar Ayar Association
- Real Vision Development Organization
- Reality of Aid – Asia Pacific (RoA-AP)
- Red Agenda 2030 MX
- Red Ciudadana 2030 por el Desarrollo Sostenible
- Red de Educadores Ambientales de Chihuahua
- Red Nicaraguense de Comercio Comunitario (RENICC)
- Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation (RCIDC)
- REPACT Africa
- Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL)
- Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in Development (CHFED)
- Réseau Centrafricain au Leadership des Jeunes Femmes en Afrique Francophone
- Réseau de Défenseurs des Droits Humains de l’Afrique Centrale (REDHAC)
- Roberto ravagnani
- Rozaria Memorial Trust
- Rural Area Development Programme (RADP)
- Rural community devlipment council Gwadar
- Rutgers
- S.O.S. – Criança e Desenvolvimento Integrale de ANG
- SAHARA Voluntary Social Welfare Agency
- Sahara Welfare Foundation
- Saif Khan
- Samarthyam
- Sami Foundation
- Saudi Green Building Forum
- Save the Children International
- School of International Futures
- SDG Action Alliance Bangladesh
- SDGs National Network Nepal
- SDSN Youth Mexico
- Semillas para la Democracia
- SEND-GHANA/Ghana CSOs Platform on the SDGs
- SERAC-Bangladesh
- SERR Servicios Ecumenicos para Reconciliacion y Reconstruccion
- SEVERE Joseph
- Sex & Samfund / The Danish Family Planning Association
- Shaur Taraqiyati Tanzeem
- Shirley Ann Sullivan Educational Foundation
- Shivi Development Society
- Sindh Desert Development Organization
- Sindh Rural Development Organization
- Sistemico, Regeneración Socioambiental AC
- SLOGA Slovene NGO Platform for Development, Global Education and Humanitarian Aid
- Slum Child Empowerment and Development Initiative
- Smile Myanmar
- Social and Economic Develepment Associares (SEDA)
- Social Economic and Governance Promotion Centre
- Society for Access to Quality Education
- Society for Education and Development
- Society for Indigenous Women’s Progress
- Society for Sustainable Development
- Society for the Empowerment of the People
- Soka Gakkai International
- Soñando y Construyendo por un México Mejor a.c
- Soroptimist International
- Spektro Asociación para el Desarrollo Social
- Sri Lanka Nature Group
- Sudan SDGs Platform
- Sukaar Welfare Organization
- Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
- Sustainable Development Organization (SDO)
- Taiwan AID
- Takhleeq Foundation
- Taraqee Foundation
- Teerath Kumar
- Temple of Understanding
- Teresa Kotturan
- The Inclusivity Project
- The National Civic Forum – Sudan
- The National Council of NGOs/Action on Sustainable Development Goals Kenya Coalition
- The Nationwide Movement Yuksalish
- The Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment
- Think Centre
- Tirtha Biswokarma
- Toktli Educación Ambiental
- Uganda National NGO Forum
- Uganda Network of Young People living with HIV/AIDS (UNYPA)
- UNA Sweden
- Unanima International
- UNANIMA International
- Union de l’Action Féministe
- Unión Nacional de Instituciones para el Trabajo de Acción Social – UNITAS
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- United Disabled Person of Kenya
- United Global Organization of Development (UGOOD)
- United Nations Association of Fiji
- Universidad Anáhuac Mayab
- Universidad Tecnológica de los Valles Centrales de Oaxaca
- Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights
- Vaagdhara
- Vabieka Fest, Festival Internacional de Payasas.
- Validity Foundation – Mental Disability Advocacy Centre
- Varieties of Democracy Institute
- VIER PFOTEN International
- Village Development Organization (VDO)
- Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (DBA- Women First International Fund)
- Vision GRAM-International
- Voces de Cambio, Agenda para el Desarrollo
- Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE)
- Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
- Wada Na Todo Abhiyan
- Water, Environment & Sanitation Society (WESS)
- Women & Child Welfare Society
- Women Deliver
- Women’s Center for Guidance and Legal Awareness
- Women’s Rights and Democracy Centre (WORD Centre)
- WomenShade Pak
- World Animal Net
- World Federalist Movement – Canada
- Youth Action Hub Guinea – CNUCED
- Youth For Environment Education And Development Foundation (YFEED Foundation)
- Youth Inter-Active
- Yuma Inzolia
- YZ Proyectos de Desarrollo a.C.
- Zakir Hossain
- Zonta International
