Every September, a pivotal moment unfolds as world leaders, delegates, and civil society representatives come together at the UN Headquarters in New York. This annual gathering serves as a critical platform for addressing pressing global issues and marking the commencement of the UN General Assembly session. With the SDGs' deadline of 2030 halfway upon us, the 2030 Agenda is facing uncertainty as progress slows. With over 80% of Forus members considering the implementation of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda a global civil society priority, the network is activily engaging in this year’s UN SDG Summit, UN General Assembly and civil society-led initiatives. 

Find some upcoming events and campaigns below: 

As part of the Global Week to #Act4SDGs, Forus is one of the co-organisers of the Global People’s Assembly 2023 taking place on 17 and 18 September. This event serves as a platform to amplify the voices of communities and groups that have historically experienced marginalization and underrepresentation. 

The 2023 programme has been crafted through the collaborative efforts of 60 civil society networks operating at national, regional, and global levels. This extensive coordination is led by the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP). Register to the Global People’s Assembly here. 

Notably, Forus is actively engaged in the 2023 SDG 16 Plus Forum Asia, an initiative stemming from its regional coalition, ADA, in partnership with various organizations. This initiative is dedicated to advancing the SDG16+ approach to realizing the 2030 Agenda and addressing shared challenges in the spirit of global solidarity. 

Aligned with this spirit, Forus is committed to the #SDG16Now global civil society campaign. This campaign seeks to facilitate accelerated action towards SDG16+, fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. Recognizing the critical role of an open civic space, this campaign underscores that progress towards achieving the SDGs hinges on its preservation. 

How to Engage with the #SDG16Now Campaign: 

See how you can engage and global and national level in the campaign page here. 

•      Support the Global Day of SDG16+ Action to publicly express your support for accelerated action on SDG16+. Use the social media kit here.
•      Join the SDG16+ Global Day of Action on September 21, 2023. The #SDG16Now Campaign aims to project a single voice on SDG16+ across members, champions and advocates to influence the outcomes of UNGA78 and beyond. 
•     Attend the campaign’s High-Level UNGA Event on "Delivering the SDGs Through Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16+)" that will take place on Wednesday, 20 September 2023, 6:00 PM ET at the United Nations HQ, Delegates Dining Room West Terrace. Click here to register. 
  
•     Endorse the Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG16+. The #SDG16NOW campaign will also soon release a Communique to call on governments and all other stakeholders to reaffirm their collective commitment to advancing SDG16+ at all levels, and to deliver on the promise. To be shared upon release.
•      Share your advocacy asks around SDG16+, and express your support for SDG16+, civil society and #SDG16Now on social media. 

Finally, the 2023 Global Week to #Act4SDGs will coincide with the UN high-level week. The campaign aims at sending a message of hope, of possibilities, and of the urgency of action to show world leaders that people all around the world are taking action on the SDGs — and expect them to do the same.  

How to UNITE TO ACT? 

•    TAKE ACTION: Explore the #Act4SDGs website and organize a UNITE TO ACT stunt on 15 September — see detailed guide here
•    REGISTER YOUR IMPACT: Make sure your actions are counted by registering them on the Global Map — more information here; 

AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGE: Share your actions on your social media channels! Remember to use #Act4SDGs and tag @SDGAction. 

Find the events Forus members will be involved in here.