Friday, 10 July 2026 | 19:15–20:45 (13:15–14:45 Eastern Time US & Canada)
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), in partnership with UNDESA and Pathfinders for Peace, Just and Inclusive Societies at NYU CIC, will host the VNR Lab “Advancing Peace, Justice, and Partnerships amidst Transition: A closer look at the SDGs Under Review at National and Local Levels” during the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
This interactive session will explore the practical intersection between the SDGs under review and SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), with a particular focus on the role of cooperatives and other participatory ownership models in advancing inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. It will bring together governments, UN entities, and stakeholders from the cooperative movement to reflect on evidence and experiences from Voluntary National and Local Reviews.
Venue: United Nations Headquarters, L-331, New York.
Format: (link to follow).
Objectives:
- Elevate cooperatives, other participatory ownership models, and innovative financing as practical mechanisms to reduce inequalities, strengthen institutional trust, expand economic inclusion, and foster social cohesion.
- Highlight how peace, justice, inclusion, human rights, and effective institutions underpin progress across the SDGs under review and green transitions, drawing on evidence from Voluntary National and Local Reviews.
- Showcase governance solutions for inclusive and resilient cities. Examine how the intersection of SDG11 and SDG16 can advance equitable, accountable, and resilient governance, including through rights-based approaches to housing, infrastructure, climate action, and service delivery.
