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Issue 25 | 20 July 2020
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Dear Colleague,
The 2020 High-Level Political Forum held from 7 July to 16 July 2020 has come to an end, with the main theme " Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development."
If you did not have the chance to tune in to the HLPF, you can watch the recordings of the sessions here. In particular, we recommend you checking out the opening debate on "Launching the decade of action at a time of crisis: Keeping the focus on the SDGs while combating Covid-19" – which featured Professor Mariana Mazzucato on key lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis that can help build a resilient, sustainable, and equitable future.
In line with our ongoing e-discussion in Spark Blue on "Let's Talk Plastics: Shaping UNDP's Global Offer", our Snapshot Issue #25 also brings you dedicated resources on plastics.
Share your views or ask how this community can help you in your work by sending a message to cop-poverty@undp.org.
Stay tuned,
Ricardo, Samantha, Rishi, and Renata |
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Half the World: The Many Faces of Social Protection
(14 July 2020)
As the COVID-19 pandemics is exacerbating inequalities in its multiple dimensions, ensuring that all people, and particularly those who are the hardest hit, have the capabilities to cope and recover after the crisis has become a top priority. To reflect on the future of social protection, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner hosted an event to discuss concrete actions needed to turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity for building an inclusive and resilient future. The event addressed critical areas of social protection, such as social assistance schemes, micro/small business policies, digital solutions, and basic income programs. Watch the event on our SparkBlue page.
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Fiscal and Social Protection Systems for a resilient Latin America and the Caribbean (15 July 2020)
How can the international community respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that leads us to achieve the SDGs? The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin American and The Caribbean and the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) hosted an event to reflect on the advantages and limitations of fiscal and social protection systems in LAC and discuss ways to strengthen resilience in the context of COVID-19. The event featured our COP Champion Luis Felipe López-Calva, Nora Lustig, Professor of Economics at Tulane University, Rebeca Grynspan, Ibero-American Secretary General, Juan Luis Bermudez, Minister of Human Development and Social Inclusion of Costa Rica, and Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Director of National Planning Department of Colombia. Watch here.
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Build Back Better: Charting pathways out of poverty with the global MPI (16 July 2020)
UNDP hosted an HLPF side event to discuss new evidence on the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and how it can be a tool to fight poverty and deprivation. The session counted with the participation of UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), and leaders from government and key international organizations. The session presented new trends on multidimensional poverty for 75 countries, showing unprecedented gains in poverty reduction. Findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic could cause an up to 50% increase in undernutrition while half of all primary school children could be at risk of leaving school. Watch the event.
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Protecting and Advancing Human Wellbeing and Ending Poverty (7 July 2020)
Advancing progress towards human wellbeing during and in the aftermath of COVID-19 requires a comprehensive set of interventions while managing potential challenges both in the short term and long term. This HLPF thematic session discussed various trade-offs and synergies related to improving human wellbeing and capabilities, and in particular, ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions. Leaders from government, civil society, and international organizations brought knowledge and expertise, shared ideas and approaches, and recommended concrete solutions and pathways to end poverty, transform inequalities, and ensure that the COVID-19 response and recovery leaves no one behind. UNDP was one of the co-leads for this thematic session along with UNDESA, UNFPA, WHO, and UNESCO. Watch the event. Check out the background note.
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E-discussion: Let's talk Plastics
(From 29 June to 24 July)
Take part in the ongoing electronic discussion, "Let's Talk Plastics: Shaping UNDP's Global Offer," happening on UNDP's new SparkBlue platform. The e-discussion seeks to promote the exchange of ideas, the finding of solutions, and the sharing of best practices from colleagues around the world to support the development of UNDP's Global Plastics Offer. The conversation is divided into four themes that highlight important questions on challenges and approaches to plastic waste management in oceans, islands, cities, and at the human-level with the shifting of minds and behaviors towards sustainability through targeted advocacy and education. Click here to join!
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The plastic pandemic is only getting worse during COVID-19 (July 2020)
While single-use plastics are vital in combatting COVID-19, this article highlights the proliferation of plastic waste and the inability of waste management services to operate at full capacity during the pandemic. Once the global economy restarts, there is an increased need to invest in the circular economy and effective waste management systems to combat plastic waste in the long term. Read more.
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Face masks, gloves and a new breed of plastic pollution (July 2020)
Our world needs 89 million medical masks, 76 million examination gloves, and 1.6 million protective goggles every month during COVID-19. This article draws attention to the dramatic increase in plastic waste being disposed of and discovered in landfills, oceans, and marine ecosystems. It highlights that plastic pollution might double over the next decade and discusses Jakarta's ban on single-use plastic bags. Explore more.
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Fighting Extreme Poverty During COVID-19: Two Proven Ways to Build Resilience in Times of Catastrophic Disruption (July 2020)
The COVID-19 crisis entails a risk of reversing progress on multidimensional poverty reduction. This article explores two practical interventions to help the most vulnerable cope with the socio-economic impacts of the pandemics: the Ultra-Poor Graduation approach and the Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) program. These programs have proven effective at improving resilience and protecting livelihoods among the poor – two essential elements of any recovery strategy. Read more.
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Plastic Waste and Recycling: Environmental Impact, Societal Issues, Prevention, and Solutions – edited by Trevor M. Letcher (March 2020)
This book serves as an essential guide for the management of plastic waste and recycling. It introduces the different types of plastic materials and provides actionable solutions to reduce plastic waste, with a focus on the concepts of collection, re-use, recycling, and replacement. Besides, the book highlights significant societal and environmental challenges of plastic waste treatment, while detailing case studies and policy responses around the world that offer unique insights into different approaches and solutions for plastic waste management. Read more.
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[Podcast] Ocean Plastic Solutions from Cities, Brands & Waste Collectors (29 June, 2020)
Check out this podcast featuring a discussion with Susan Ruffo, the executive director of The Circulate Initiative. It aims to amplify inclusive solutions that mitigate ocean plastic while providing entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors with the knowledge and skills to implement waste-reducing circular economies. Ms. Ruffo emphasizes the leadership of cities in controlling ocean plastic through waste management and recycling practices while highlighting examples from The Circulate Initiative's Urban Ocean program, launched in partnership with Ocean Conservancy and the Global Resilient Cities Network. Listen here
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Regional SDG Integration Adviser
UNDP | P5 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Apply by 21 July
Coordinator, Disability Inclusive Response to COVID-19
UNDP | Consultancy | Home-Based | Apply by 24 July
Inclusive Insurance Specialist
UNDP | P4 | Istanbul, Turkey | Apply by 24 July
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Your CoP team will be happy to hear from you. Contact us at
cop-poverty@undp.org to send feedback or content you may wish to share.
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