THE 2030 AGENDA AND SDG s : IMPLEMENTATION AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MINE ACTION
Interviews with national mine action authorities (NMAAs) were held to better understand how the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs have been mainstreamed by the sector. The study provides an opportunity to assess and review the implications that the 2030 Agenda, and its related processes and institutional mechanisms, have on mine action efforts so far. In this regard, the study explores the current state of play in terms of the use of the SDGs by the NMAA for enhancing policy coherence and inter-institutional coordination, data and information management, mine action operations, and resource mobilisation. STRATEGIC PLANNING In 2019 BiH adopted its National Mine Action Strategy 2018–2025. The Strategy refers to the 2030 Agenda as one of the “strategically important intersectoral issues” (alongside gender and diversity), emphasising BiH’s commitment to fulfilling the SDGs. The current Strategy also acknowledges the importance of switching from mere outputs to “wider sustainable development” outcomes. 66 When it comes to mine action’s role within the development plans of BiH, the national mine action strategy notes that efforts will be made to better understand the influences and possibilities brought by mine clearance, in the sense of enabling both development and contribution to fulfillment of the SDGs and that “relevant information including liaising of mine action and SDGs will be analyzed with a view to raise awareness and resource mobilization for mine action programmes.” 67 For that, the Strategy further emphasises the importance of increasing the visibility of the mine action programme and promoting links between mine action programmes and wider development initiatives. 68 The Strategy further states, that as a result, the BHMAC and other mine awareness organisations will work in closer cooperation with development stakeholders to enable the realisation of several SDGs. 69 To ensure a smooth coordination with partners, the BHMAC, in accordance with the BiH National Mine Action Strategy (2018–2025), should hold two mine awareness working group meetings annually, however, it was not possible to convene these meetings in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 70 , 71 In Lao PDR, the National Strategic Plan for 2010–2020 titled The Safe Path Forward II (SPF II) 72 guides the UXO sector. The SPF II mentions that it is imperative to mainstream UXO action into broader socio- economic development strategies and programmes to ensure sustainability. 73 This 10-year strategy was revised in 2015 with the support of the UNDP and other key partners, to better align and integrate UXO into the country’s broader socio-economic development plans. After the mid- term review of the SPF II, a few new targets were added including, amongst others, “keeping clearance as a priority of the government’s poverty eradication programme”. 74 The SPF II acknowledges that UXO has been hindering the socio-economic development of the country and highlights UXO’s negative impact on and the correlation with food insecurity and poverty. The SPF II does not refer to SDGs per se but to the MDGs – as it was adopted in the era of the MDGs – and states that UXO constitutes a significant obstacle to the achievement of the MDGs. 75 The SPF II urges operators to adopt an inclusive approach “so that the [UXO] sector can shift towards an approach centred on people and communities and plan and measure the impact of its actions in terms of socio-economic outcomes leading to poverty reduction”. 76
Part 2 – Are the Sustainable Development Goals being used by the mine action sector? 24
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