SDGs in the Americas and Caribbean Region


Book Description

​This volume provides an overview of the ways sustainable development issues as a whole, and the SDGs in particular, are perceived and practiced in a variety of countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region. It also discusses the extent to which its many socio-economic problems hinder progresses towards the pursuit of a sustainable future, and documents successful experiences from across the region. This book is part of the "100 papers to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals initiative".




Towards Sustainable Development in Central America and the Caribbean


Book Description

Since the economic decline in the early 1980s, most countries in Central America and the Caribbean have returned to positive growth rates. The recovery often coincided with or followed extensive neoliberal reforms. The contributors to this book address the crucial question of whether these growth rates are sustainable. Several aspects of sustainability are assessed, in particular macroeconomic, social, and ecological aspects. The book includes both comparative analyses focusing on one of these aspects of sustainability, and country case studies. The conclusion is that these countries have not yet arrived at a sustainable growth path due to, for example, high levels of foreign and domestic debt, worrisome trade gaps, a lack of social integration and irresponsible exploitation of natural resources. In sum, the analysis points to serious weaknesses in the current neoliberal model, the implications of which go far beyond this particular region.







The Impact of Digital Infrastructure on the Sustainable Development Goals


Book Description

This publication identifies the role of digital infrastructure in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)--including education, employment, agricultural sustainability, food security, and spatial inequality--in 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It identifies a gap between the outcomes achieved for each SDG in the countries studied and those achieved in OECD countries. Moreover, the region still has a long way to go to achieve the SDG targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The authors explain how investment in digital infrastructure can help close the gaps between the region and these two benchmarks (OECD countries and SDG targets). They also quantify the investment in telecom in the region between 2008 and 2017 and estimate what amount is still needed to help close these gaps.




The Sustainability of Development in Latin America and the Caribbean


Book Description

This document is adopted from The Latin America and Caribbean Regional Preparatory Conference for the Wordl Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in October 2001. It seeks to present an overview of the progress made towards sustainable development since the Earth summit and an assessment of the challenges and opportunities that should be taken into account with a view to the adoption of future measures.







The Millennium Development Goals


Book Description

This publication examines the progress made on development issues and related challenges in the Latin American and Caribbean region five years after the Millennium Development Goals and associated targets were agreed by the international community. Focusing on the key theme of inequality, seven chapters consider the following issues: combating poverty and hunger; access to educational opportunities as a pillar of human development; gender equality and women's empowerment; health-related targets; ensuring environmental sustainability; financing aspects of the MDGs and international development assistance.




The Climate and Development Challenge for Latin America and the Caribbean


Book Description

This book is a joint effort lead by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) focused on the climate and development challenge for LAC. It deals with a matter that is bound to affect the likelihood of achieving sustainable progress in Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, climate change is already affecting the foundations on which Latin American societies rely for sustenance and welfare.




Sustainable Development for the Americas


Book Description

Environmental sustainability efforts require a great deal of engagement and political will, ranging from local communities to state departments. Science diplomats—from experts and scientists to spokespersons and ambassadors—can help facilitate at all levels and yield valued resources from technology sharing, capacity building, and knowledge exchanges. This book explores the importance of sustained international scientific cooperation, building community resilience, and the role of political will in sustainability and diplomacy. It shows how even small diplomatic efforts can influence myriad issues, from overfishing to human rights negotiations to global carbon emission reduction. Features: • Examines various topics such as global climate change, arid environments, water security and governance, trans-boundary conflict and cooperation, urban and rural resilience, and public health. • Presents case studies from various geographic regions through the lens of diplomacy, including the US–Mexico border, the Gulf of California, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and China. • Discusses how building networks of people, organizations, and countries engaged in science diplomacy is crucial for mutual growth and for overcoming conflicting political stances. Sustainable Development for the Americas: Science, Health and Engineering Policy and Diplomacy provides a useful resource for diplomats, policymakers, students, and decision-makers. It provides numerous examples of how using science and technology for policy and diplomacy is essential to finding common ground among nations for a collective global benefit.