Members of Parliament join global webinar on SDGs and COVID-19

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Parliamentarians for the Global Goals have come together to organize a high-level dialogue on re-opening the economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the Decade of Action. 

About 20 members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) converged at the Happy Valley Hotel on 9 June 2020 to join other Parliamentarians from around the world to participate and learn about effective solutions that can be adapted to achieve the SDGs despite the challenges that have come with the coronavirus.

The meeting was supported by UN Eswatini.

Before the start of the webinar, IPU chairperson in Eswatini, Hon. Smalljoe Dlamini, expressed appreciation the UN Development System in Eswatini for the support extended to the country to fight COVID-19 as well as facilitating the attendance of the webinar by Members of Parliament. "We particularly thank the UN Resident Coordinator for facilitating the session despite the short-time frame," said Hon. Dlamini. 

The UN also used the opportunity to sensitize members of parliament about their role in ensuring that Agenda 2030 is achieved. UN Resident Coorinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh reminded about the importance of keeping the focus on achieving SDGs. "We remain in a Decade of Action and it is going to be important that you develop relevant policies that will ensure acceleration towards the achievement of the SDGs," said Ndongo-Seh. 

The aim of the series of webinars is  to ensure that good practices from leading countries as well as experts are shared with a wide array of policy makers.

This is the first in a series of webinars on COVID-19 response and SDGs designed for and with Parliamentarians around the world. The sessions are meant as a forum for peer-to-peer learning, mutual inspiration and exchange of best practices that can inspire more political action on SDGs.  

Yesterday's webinar was opened by Ms. Gabriela Cuevas, President, IPU. Kirsten Brosbøl, Founder, Parliamentarians for the Global Goals was almost present.