NGO Written Statement on Zero Draft of 2020 HLPF Ministerial Declaration (NGO 關於2020年HLPF部長級宣言零草案的書面聲明)

Overall comments

In general, the NGO  Group would like to express concern that the content of the Zero Draft of the Ministerial

Declaration is insufficient for the needs humanity is facing now. In the post-COVID recovery, what is truly needed globally is

a renewed commitment to transformational and systems change to build back better. The Ministerial Declaration for the

2020 HLPF must be bold, strong, and it is critical that it can provide a message of hope to those suffering in the wake of

COVID-19 that positive change is possible. As stated in UNEA’s contribution to the HLPF, “this is the year in which the

international community needs to match political will with science, ambition with action, action with momentum.” Business

as usual has led to numerous, now glaring, global vulnerabilities, and is no longer an option.

We also note with disappointment that the Ministerial Declaration fails to clearly identify the root cause of COVID-19. The

transmission of this and most other emerging diseases is zoonoses resulting from our destruction and abuse of nature and

animals. With no mention of the zoonotic means by which the disease was transferred, countries will not build this into their

policy research in the future to develop critical human and animal health systems capable of preventing future pandemics.

Further, while COVID-19 has clearly demonstrated the dependence of human wellbeing on nature, the document fails to

adequately reflect the importance of the environmental dimension of sustainable development, and the vital role of

protecting species and restoring nature to effective post-COVID-19 recovery and achievement of the SDGs. The text should

acknowledge the urgency of a new relationship with nature and the nonhuman world that is based on mutuality and not

exploitation to avoid catastrophic climate change, biodiversity loss and corresponding consequences for human societies.

We call for the inclusion of realistic and achievable integrative approaches, such as One Health/One Welfare, which provide

a stronger recognition of the nexus between climate, biodiversity, animal welfare, and human health and wellbeing, as well

as a greater emphasis on human rights. It is key that the document revitalizes the commitment to multilateralism and provides

stronger details on the means of implementation, including partnerships, financing, and the importance of public

coordination in solving public problems and responding to emergencies.

I. Introduction

This section would be strengthened by inclusion of the role of civil society organizations in the achievement of the SDGs,

strengthened UN processes, and the HLPF in particular. The NGO MG also questions if it is helpful to prioritize one challenge

over another, as poverty is intrinsically linked to and impacted by conditions across the SDGs, such as biodiversity loss, hunger,

systemic inequality, and climate change.

II. Assessment of the situation regarding the 2030 Agenda

This section should be expanded to provide a more holistic picture of the state of the 2030 Agenda, including through progress

on targets and indicators. We would also like an acknowledgement of the planetary emergency of inter-related global

challenges, including the link between ecosystem health, the risk of pandemics and the corresponding threat to livelihoods,

poverty reduction efforts and our economies.

III. Actions to be taken for the way forward

Key suggestions for Part III include:

• Recognition that stimulus packages can offer crucial opportunities to go beyond recovery, and to build back better.

• Recognition that improving animal health systems, protecting nature and limiting the commercial trade of animals

is core to preventing future pandemics.

• Inclusion of systems for transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement.

• Elimination of discriminatory policies, laws and practices, and emphasis on local and traditional knowledge.

• Strengthening public sector investment and inclusive governance in fulfilling essential national obligations and

providing universal access to services.

• Stronger emphasis on the importance of agroecological and local food supply chains.

• Stronger focus on sustainable consumption and production.

• The need for governments, businesses and society as a whole to look beyond GDP as a narrow measure of success

and instead prioritize holistic assessments of development in order to maximize our wealth, health and well-being,

and that of future generations.