The 2019 Ulaanbaatar Democracy Forum brought together Asian governments, regional and global bodies, and civil society organizations to share their experiences in implementing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which urges the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The statement expresses concern that, despite international commitments, civic space is shrinking. ICNL participated in the meeting and contributed to this declaration.

The 2016 High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in Nairobi defined development effectiveness and set the agenda for the implementation of the 2011 Busan Partnership Agreement, which proposes principles, commitments, and actions for effective cooperation in international development. The document summarizes the results of the meeting, as well as advocacy by ICNL, including an acknowledgment of the worldwide shrinking of civic space and a commitment to accelerate the creation of an enabling environment for civil society.

The 2011 Busan Partnership Agreement was a landmark agreement signed by more 100 countries and 50 international development organizations. It outlines the principles of development effectiveness along with concrete steps for putting the principles into action. Paragraph 22 recognizes the contribution of civil society organizations to achieving sustainable development and commits signatories to help CSOs “exercise their roles as independent development actors, with a particular focus on an enabling environment, consistent with agreed international rights.”

This 2018 report to the United Nations General Assembly by the special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, drafted with ICNL’s help, lays out the relationship between the exercise of these key rights and implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, calls on UN members states to end extreme poverty and fight inequality, injustice, and climate change by realizing the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.

These practical recommendations, by UN Special Rapporteur Clément N/ Voule, ensure the participation of civil society in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are a valuable tool for all actors engaged in  advancing effective CSO participation in development processes.

This report by the OECD Development Assistance Committee provides recommendations for  including and enabling civil society in development and humanitarian processes.