Draft Concept Note & Agenda
Webinar for Parliamentarians:
COVID-19 response and SDGs
June 9, 2020 | 8:00 am to 10:00 am EDT | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm CEST |
Other Time Zones
The COVID-19 pandemic represents the greatest threat to humanity since World War II. Despite the far-
reaching impacts of this crisis, many governments have struggled for access for science-based
recommendations to support an effective response, and governance challenges have also led to
uncoordinated activities in a number of countries. As the emergency-phase of the epidemic wanes in
many regions, with the numbers of new cases and deaths falling, policymakers are looking forward to
solutions to reopen economies and begin transitions out of lockdown. Now, more than ever, science-
based recommendations are needed alongside effective collaboration, to ensure that additional
outbreaks are contained and the economic impacts are minimized.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all countries in 2015 offer a useful framework
for considering these challenges. They can help countries balance social goals, such as protecting public
health and reducing inequality, with economic ones, such as ensuring decent work for all and
eradicating extreme poverty. Further, they place environmental objectives on equal footing, and ask
policymakers to consider how economic stimulus packages can not only support strong economic
growth, but sustainable growth, such as fostering the transition to clean energy. While on lockdown,
many cities experienced record-setting improvements in air quality and associated health problems; this
is a clear demonstration of the rapidity with which ecosystem services can recover, and the improved
quality of life which results. As economies reopen, we must preserve these gains while enabling people
to return to work and economic growth to resume.
Fortunately, a number of Parliamentarians have shown leadership on these critical issues, and there is a
growing body of policy evidence on effective responses. To ensure that good practices from leading
countries as well as experts are shared with a wide array of policy makers, 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 SDGs
during the Decade of Action. We invite all Parliamentarians from around the world to participate, and
learn about effective solutions that can be adapted to their own national contexts.
This is the first in a series of webinars on COVID-19 response and SDGs designed for and with
Parliamentarians around the world. They 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.
For this first webinar, a number of leading academics will record lightning talks or share articles on
effective recovery measures. These materials will be made available to participants in advance, and will
inform the discussion.