This week Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and the Welsh Government will host a stakeholder summit to build on Wales’ contribution to the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Wales has a long history of promoting sustainable development. In the same year that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in January 2016, the National Assembly for Wales passed the ground-breaking Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

This year the UK will publish its first report to the UN on its contribution to the goals through a Voluntary Nation Review which aims to track and accelerate progress in implementing Agenda 2030.

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

“In Wales we are already contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals through our work in delivering the Well-being of Future Generations Act. This review is an opportunity to showcase Wales’ ground-breaking approach to sustainable development to the world and increase awareness and opportunities for people in Wales to get involved and take-action to improve the well-being of people and the planet at a time when we face some critical issues such as climate change and economic and social inequality.

“We can also learn about what other countries are doing for example, Ireland is seen as a leader in involving young people ensure they also have their voices reflected in decision-making, Belgium’s integration of sustainable tourism in policy and Canada’s focus on building a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.”

Notes to Editors

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 provides a global blueprint for dignity, peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries, developed and developing in a global partnership.

The goals recognise that ending societal problems such poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and support economic growth all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests

The objectives of the Stakeholder Summits are to:

* Increase knowledge in Wales about the SDGs, the VNR process, and the latest position of UK and Welsh Governments

* Act as a catalyst for Welsh Government, the FGCW and Civil Society to explore how future partnerships and collaboration can intensify efforts in Wales towards achieving the SDGs

* Mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Wales.

* Learn from the public sector, civil society, private sector and higher education about their contributions to the SDGs

* Build understanding and promote Wales’ approach to SDGs through the Well-Being Goals for Wales and carrying out sustainable development (ways of working)

* Understand the opportunities and limitations of statistical and narrative data as evidence in the VNR from a Welsh perspective

* Explore the legacy required from these summits for leadership, partnership and action for Agenda 2030