The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic disrupted implementation towards many of the SDGs and, in some cases, turned back years of progress. he Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2021 suggests that COVID-19 could lead to a lost decade for development. The crisis has touched all segments of the population, all sectors of the economy, and all regions of the world. In parallel, the pandemic has brought a lot of opportunities. More than ever, the SDGs can serve as a compass to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world. The pandemic has exposed harsh and profound inequalities in our societies and offers an opportunity to focus on those who are left behind. I parallel, digital technologies have gained momentum during the crisis and offer a pathway for a swift and resilient recovery. 

Given this background, and the importance that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) gives to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a side event will be organized by the IsDB SDGs Community of Practice at the IsDB Annual Meeting 2021 in order to study existing trends on SDGs progress, discuss challenges and opportunities that this Decade of Action is expected to experience, and brainstorm on suggested ways and means to remedy the situation in terms of meeting the objectives of Agenda 2030 with minimal setbacks. 

Key issues that will be addressed during the event will include: 

• What's the current outlook on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? Before the pandemic, we were already not on track, how further away from the achievement of the goals are we because of the effects of the pandemic?
• What should the MDBs be focusing on in order to make the most impact towards achieving the severely affected SDGs? Can we talk about the same focus areas as those before the pandemic, or do we need a shift in focus?
• What types of concrete actions should be taken to reduce the financing gap for the SDGs? What can be done to accelerate the engagement of the private sector?
• What does the development cooperation to achieve the SDGs look like after the pandemic? Do we go back to business-as-usual on this front?

Please join us on Thursday, 26 August at 3:00pm for a discussion with eminent personalities, global experts and country representatives for a conversation on the future of the SDGs in the context of COVID-19