The First Triennial SWFS Synthesis Report
In November 2016, the first SWFS survey was launched to gather information on EMG Member Agencies’ support and contributions to the implementation of the environmental dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The first SWFS Synthesis Report titled ‘UN System-wide Collaboration on the Environment: Synthesis Report on UN System-wide Contributions to the Implementation of the Environmental Dimension in the Sustainable Development Goals‘ was released in 2017.
UN Senior Officials welcomed the outcomes of the report during the 23rd Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 23) of the EMG. The findings of the report were shared with the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the inter-sessional intergovernmental body of the United Nations Environment Assembly. This report was an important inter-agency milestone as it gauged the strategic alignment of 51 UN Member Agencies to Agenda 2030 and the UN SDGs.
The First Thematic Synthesis Report- Biodiversity
The objective of the thematic focus is to identify specific collaboration and partnerships on specific Sustainable Development Goals that are reviewed annually by Member States during the High Level Political Forum. The 1st SWFS report identified biodiversity as a priority issue that merits more attention from UN Agencies. Strong evidence showing lack of progress and ever increasing rates of biodiversity loss were drivers to the inclusion of this specific issue.
At the 2018 CBD CoP14, the Executive Director of UNEP, as chair of the EMG, agreed for the theme of the first Thematic SWFS Report to be biodiversity. Work is currently underway on finalising the report. Information regarding its launch will be shared once it has been confirmed.