The International Day of Democracy is a global observance celebrated on September 15th each year. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, this day serves as an opportunity to promote and uphold the principles of democracy worldwide. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of democratic governance, encourage citizen participation, and foster dialogue among stakeholders to strengthen democratic institutions. 

We propose to hold a consultative roundtable of CSOs comprising experts e.g. in health financing, community strategy/engagement and coalitions around disease verticals such as HV, TB, Malaria, NCDs and reproductive health. Marginalized and vulnerable populations such as young women, the disabled and nomadic communities will be represented.

BACKGROUND

The 2030 Agenda, adopted in 2015, is a global development framework, which guides development policy and practice at national, regional and global levels until 2030. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an integral part of the 2030 Agenda, are a call to action to end poverty worldwide, to protect the planet, and to promote peace and prosperity for everyone, everywhere.

The SDGs do not constitute a process that is separate but rather a framework for action on different streams of work in development and environmental conservation. The 2030 Agenda, therefore, reaches across all aspects of government, including parliamentary business.

Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to steer its country’s sustainable development directly impacts SDG implementation and plays an integral role in realizing the 2030 Agenda by representing the interests of citizens and localizing the implementation of the SDGs through deliberate efforts to ensure action at the national level.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Parliament Open Day 2019, themed “The Role of Parliament in realizing Agenda 2030” will bring together Members of Parliament, key agencies of the United Nations in Nairobi and Development Partners to critically examine the important role of Parliamentarians for the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).