By National Economic and Development Authority, September 10, 2020; National Economic and Development Authority

http://www.neda.gov.ph/neda-calls-for-membership-in-stakeholder-chamber-to-attain-sdgs/

The National Economic and Development Authority aims to promote a whole-of-society approach to strengthen the linkages between government and non-government agencies and organizations, development priorities, and resource allocation to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“With the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to further intensify the implementation of strategies to ensure the attainment of the SDGs. We have to catch up and prioritize what needs to be done amid these challenges,” said Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua.

This is in line with the discussions last August 27, 2020 in the organizational meeting of the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s Sub-Committee on the SDGs, wherein NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon presented the plans to create a stakeholder chamber for SDG-related engagements.

“This chamber will serve as a platform for better resource management and coordination for the achievement of the SDGs by ensuring complementarity and support between government and non-government actors,” Undersecretary Edillon said.

The stakeholder chamber will feature “pledging sessions” where members can pledge contributions to the attainment of the SDGs.

NEDA is eyeing members from the local government organizations, academic institutions, business groups, trade unions, youth organizations, organizations working on the SDGs, and representatives from the basic and vulnerable sectors. Representatives from the United Nations – Philippines will also form part of the stakeholder chamber.

The stakeholder chamber, through NEDA, will call for membership and for interested parties to submit the documentary requirements.

Interested parties seeking endorsement from government agencies or development partners may contact their counterpart agency at their own preference.

Within 45 days from the call for membership, a shortlist of all qualified members based on the qualifications provided by the guidelines will be endorsed to the Sub-Committee.

The membership of the stakeholder chamber will be reviewed, updated, and approved annually.