Side events will be held fully virtually. Side events can be organized and sponsored by Member States, the UN system, other Intergovernmental organizations, accredited CSOs or other stakeholders. Held outside the official programme, they provide an opportunity to discuss the theme of the 2021 APFSD “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia and the Pacific”.

The Platform on Sustainable Finance plays a key role in enabling such cooperation by bringing together the best expertise on sustainability from the corporate and public sector, from industry as well as academia, civil society and the financial industry join forces.

Global nonprofit Points of Light announced today the launch of Points of Light Engage, the world’s largest digital hub for volunteering and community engagement opportunities. Engage builds upon the technology and partnerships established through the All For Good initiative, which launched in 2008. The new service will serve as the organization’s premiere volunteer platform.

The 2nd UN South Asia Forum will be organised virtually over 3 days (17-19 March 2021). Safe space sessions – which will be held under the Chatham House Rule and aim to facilitate conversation among specific stakeholder groups – will be organised on 16 March prior to the official opening of the Forum.