Annual conference 2017 – Sustainable Development Goals

Annual conference 2017 – addressing the Sustainable Development Goals

Leaders from government and NGO sectors, academics, and members of the community are coming together this Thursday and Friday to discuss New Zealand’s past and future engagement with the UN at the annual United Nations Association of New Zealand conference. The conference will focus on the Sustainable Development Goals and will provide an opportunity to consider the role of the United Nations in our current geopolitical climate.

The opening discussion on Thursday 29th will be a conversation between the Herald’s Audrey Young and the Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and former Prime Minister of New Zealand. This conversation will focus on Ms Clark’s time at the UN, including the security and environment development agendas, the future role of the UN, and the SDGs.

The conference includes a panel discussion on New Zealand’s plan to localise the 17 Goals, hosted by White Man Behind a Desk, Robbie Nicol. The discussion on the ‘rights and responsibilities’ of all peoples (indigenous and introduced), ten years after the signing of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, will provide an opportunity to focus on New Zealand’s progress in advancing its commitments to the United Nations.

The conference will be held from 9:30-6:30 on the Thursday at Lecture Theatre 2 of the Old Government Buildings on Lambton Quay, and from 9:30-4:30 on the Friday in the Legislative Council Chamber in Parliament. The Conference Programme is available at www.unanz.org.nz. Registrations are currently full.

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