Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
The role of the European Parliament
Brussels, 6 February 2017 | Published in Urban, Social
On 1 February, SDG Watch Europe held its General Assembly in Brussels. Our Policy Officer, Edit Lakatos participated and reports on the main developments.
The Assembly aimed to provide SDG Watch Members with an opportunity to meet with 13 MEPs and to discuss the Parliament's role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Among others, Jean Lambert, UK/Group of the Greens, highlighted the importance of the inclusive growth in Europe and the need for a holistic approach when implementing the goals. Julie Ward, UK/Socialists and Democrats, stressed that we need to move forward a more fair society and sustainable cities to be able to provide effective responses to crisis we face.
Finally, MEP Brando Benifei, Italy/Socialists and Democrats, pointed out that the agenda has the potential to address many of the serious challenges currently facing the international community and that the EU and its Member States can play a leading role globally in the implementation of this ambitious new policy agenda.
The meeting provided a useful opportunity to Housing Europe to exchange information on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to look forward and plan for the coming year.
Background info about SDG Watch Europe
SDG Watch Europe was first established in 2015 as a new European, cross-sectoral, civil society alliance that aims to monitor and support the implementation by the EU and its Member States of the Sustainable Development Goals. The official launch took place in October 2016 and the First Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, was the keynote speaker.
Housing Europe joins more than 90 civil society organisations from sectors as diverse as health, education, development, social justice, human rights, democracy, transparency, women, youth, disability, culture and peace. The diversity of the organisations participating in SDG Watch Europe is linked to the breadth and ambition of the new global agenda known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all UN Member States.