ת כה
T
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K
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Seminar on Achieving the SDGs for the
IPU’s
Twelve Plus
Geopolitical Group and East Asia Parliaments
Parliamentary Cooperation in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote
sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
The Knesset, Jerusalem (Israel), 20–22 November 2018
Concept note
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the principal starting point in attaining a
sustainable and better quality environment where citizens can develop and realize their potential
fully. Further to the United Nations resolution on the 2030 Agenda, parliaments are urged and
encouraged to take the SDGs further by leveraging all their functions: legislative, oversight,
budgetary appropriation, and representation.
The IPU Member Parliaments have on many occasions reiterated their commitment to play their
part in SDGs implementation. In order to assist them in this work and help exchange good
experiences and practices, the IPU organizes different activities including regional seminars on
SDGs implementation. Regional seminars have been organized in Central and Eastern Europe and
Central Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. This event is the first seminar
targeting all Members of the IPU Twelve Plus Geopolitical Group. The participating parliaments will
be able to exchange ideas and views with their peers on ways to engage with the SDGs and to
foster and promote innovation.
Domestication of the SDGs is an important step towards achieving the desired results but it is not
the only way to do so. At the level of parliament it is of utmost importance to develop an effective
parliamentary mechanism to ensure coordination and strong engagement of the institution on
matters relating to the SDGs. In order to assist parliaments in defining the most suitable
mechanism, the IPU promotes a self-assessment approach through the use of an IPU dedicated
toolkit. This approach has been of assistance to a number of parliaments and has produced
several examples of good practice.
SDG9
Investment in infrastructure and innovation is a crucial driver of economic growth and development.
With over half the world's population now living in cities, mass transport and sustainable living
solutions are becoming ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information
and communication technologies. Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to
both economic and environmental challenges such as providing new jobs and promoting energy
efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries and investing in scientific research and innovation are
all important ways in facilitating sustainable development.
The seminar will place particular emphasis on innovation—the most valuable resource for the State
of Israel and which is a national asset crucial to economic prosperity. Strengthening the innovation
ecosystem within countries and between countries is a crucial step, especially because the world is
marching towards a future that is increasingly based on innovation and technology.
The seminar will provide a platform to discuss innovation as such but also in combination with other
SDGs. Participants will discuss ways in which parliaments can create an enabling environment for
innovation. On the final day of the seminar, the participants will be invited to take an enriching field
visit to experience for themselves the value added of innovation as an engine of prosperity.