SHILLONG, April 5: Meghalaya’s representation at the international level grew further with the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) showcasing their work on at least seven out of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) with the global audience at the UN Asia Pacific Forum for SDG- APFSDG- 2023 Acceleration Pavilion in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 27 to 30.
NESFAS was joined by other civil society indigenous peoples (IP) organisations and some IP orgasnisations from India, along with other UN agencies and partners who are working towards the sustainable development goals like UNICEF, UNDP, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and many others.
In a statement, the NESFAS said, “We are not just the only Indian but the only indigenous peoples’ organisation short-listed to have a booth at their Acceleration Pavillion.”
The list was based on a concept paper shared on the organisation’s work and impact on the 2030 UN agenda combating climate change.
“Our offering has been unique as we are presenting our communities’ works as nature-based solutions for global problems that climate change is churning out. The Indigenous Peoples Food System becomes an entry point to address SDG goals. At the exhibit, we have showcased how NESFAS and Partner communities address at least 7 of the 17 goals. ‘Go Indigenous’ is the shout-out of the exhibit which marks out the SDGs with the solution offered by the timeless nature-based practices of traditional communities,” the statement said.
From providing market linkage for our local entrepreneurs and capacity building programs for rural youth, NESFAS programmes also impact sustainable infrastructure development. This is with reference to SDG1 — No Poverty.
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. NESFAS has established 30 school gardens and 100 Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) in this connection.
In line with SDG 5 — Gender Equality — NESFAS has been advocating for critical women’s representation in different verticals and empowering women leaders in our local governance systems like the Dorbars.
NESFAS’s work towards SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) involves promoting the consumption of locally grown, organic, and diverse food as well as establishing inter-community networks through community-led initiatives.
With regard to SDG 13 (Climate Action), NESFAS has been encouraging the cultivation of traditional crops that are well adapted to local ecological conditions, and promoting sustainable farming techniques, and endorsing the Biocentric Restoration programme alongside the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) tool.
SDG 15 (Life on Land): NESFAS has been incrementally augmenting best production practices that respect the health and effective land management and tying them to livelihood generation and markets.
SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals): NESFAS is a local partner to the Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity and Food Security, communities, and stakeholders to achieve its objectives. The organisation recognises the importance of partnership and cooperation in achieving sustainable development and works towards building strong alliances to promote sustainable food systems and livelihoods.
The NESFAS was represented at the Bangkok event by Dr Dhrupad Choudhary, Sr. Advisor, and Rundolf Mawleh, Communications and Content Officer.
“Being part of a global event like this is an eye-opener. It’s good to be a part of this global platform, especially for an organisation like the United Nations. Also, meeting other indigenous organisations that share their mission and the work they’ve done in their respective communities is inspiring. The icing on the cake was when we had a peer from the Stockholm Environment Institute come up to our booth and say, ‘I came here to steal some ideas from your graphic design,’” said Rundolf Mawlieh.
The Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development is an annual SDG stock taking event organised by UNESCAP at Bangkok.
