A global online discussion was launched on 29 February and runs through 25 March as part of the 2016 session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The co-organisers of this e-Discussion—UN DESA and UNDP—hope to engage users from around the world on their ideas and recommendations for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This is in line with the 2016 theme of the Council, “Implementing the post-2015 development agenda: moving from commitments to results”.

The e-Discussion provides a unique opportunity for the wider development community to formulate critical policy messages and recommendations for ECOSOC, engaging experts and others working “on the ground” and in a wide variety of contexts with the discussions taking place in New York. The contributions will inform the report of the Secretary-General on the ECOSOC theme in support of the Council’s deliberations on the theme, leading to the adoption of the Council’s 2016 Ministerial Declaration in July.

Having just completed its third week, the e-Discussion has generated over 300 comments. A majority of the participants are from the Americas, followed closely by Europe, Africa and Asia. Participants have provided concrete examples and suggestions on a wide range of issues related to implementing the 2030 Agenda.

Regarding the need for inclusive development, Lal Manavado, global health expert, highlighted the dangers of “remote-controlled” (top-down) development plans that do not take into consideration the impact of large-scale development projects on indigenous populations and environments. He cited the negative impact on the livelihoods of nomads and environmental stability as the result of a large-scale damming project in Central Asia. The damming project was intended to supply water for other development purposes, which shines light on the need for States to take into account the three dimensions of sustainable development when making policy choices.

On the need to mainstream the SDGs at the national level, Moa Westman, Regional Programme Adviser UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative Africa from Kenya highlighted the importance of building capacities and ensuring inter-sectoral and –ministerial coordination within government.

The contributor stated that the case of Mozambique demonstrated “the catalytic role that the UN and other development partners can play in stimulating integrated approaches by providing evidence and supporting the development of mainstreaming tools, thereby grounding poverty-environment mainstreaming in practice.” This will be essential for successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the national level.

In terms of critical elements for follow-up and review, Adrian Hassler, Danish Institute for Human Rights, emphasized that the “backbone of the follow-up and review architecture” would be inclusiveness and transparency at the national level. National and local capacities and processes need to internalize inclusiveness and transparency in how progress is measured and monitored. At the global level, follow-up and review can support these efforts by establishing norms and guidance on measuring progress and bringing countries together to exchange experiences and knowledge on their sustainable development efforts.

There is still opportunity to contribute to the ongoing discussion and have your voice heard as part of the 2016 session of ECOSOC. You can join by visiting https://www.unteamworks.org/ECOSOC-2016