As was decided in the Outcome Document for the UN General Assembly Special Event, the Open Working Group (OWG) will be the major negotiating body until February 2014, after which it will prepare its report by September 2014. It is therefore important to be aware of the sessions that will be held in the coming months to maximize possibilities for input. It should also be noted that civil society participation is through the Major Groups and other stakeholders.
Intersessional Meeting between Major Groups and other stakeholders and the Open Working Group on SDGs, 22 November 2013
An Intersessional meeting is being held with the Major Groups and other stakeholders will be held at the United Nations in New York on 22 November 2013 from 10.00 – 18.00 hours. It will be followed by a second session at a later date (to be determined).
The meeting will provide an opportunity for an interactive dialogue on some key cross-cutting issues that must be addressed to ensure a bold and ambitious post-2015 sustainable development framework and SDGs, Designed by non-state actors, the one day session will help conceptualize:
It is hoped that the meeting will provide an opportunity for “frank and open discussions with all stakeholders supported by experts [that] will increase understanding around these complex issues and help start development concrete proposals to inform the drafting of the SDGs.”
Those who are unable to attend can be involved:
Information provided by Jeffery Huffines, Organizing Partner of the Major Group on NGOs.
Fifth meeting, 25-27 November 2013 (3 days)
The Fifth OWG meeting, 25-27 November 2013, will focus on Sustained and inclusive economic growth, macroeconomic policy questions (including international trade, international financial system and external debt sustainability), infrastructure development; (1.5 days) and Energy (1.5 days). As can be seen by the draft programme of work, one of the two keynote addresses will be given by Professor Jeffrey Sachs of the Earth Institute at Columbia University in New York and who is the Director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report of which fed into the UN Secretary General’s report.
Sixth session, 9-13 December 2013 (5 days)
The Sixth session, 9-13 December 2013, will spend the first two days on the means of implementation; Global partnership for achieving sustainable development. (2 days) Then the focus on the needs of countries in special situations, African countries, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, (2 days) followed by human rights, the right to development, and global governance (1 day). For draft programme of work click here.
Seventh session, 6-10 January 2014 (5 days)
The Seventh session, 6-10 January 2014, will be devoted to sustainable cities and human settlements, sustainable transport. (2 days) Sustainable consumption and production (including chemicals and waste), (1.5 days) and climate change and disaster risk reduction (1.5 days) will follow.
Eighth session, 3-7 February 2014 (5 days)
The Eighth session, 3-7 February 2014, will focus on oceans and seas, forests, biodiversity; (2 days) promoting equality, including social equality and women’s empowerment; (1.5 days) and conflict prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding and the promotion of durable peace, rule of law and governance. (1.5 days)
See also: Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform – Major Groups
UN-NGLS Issue No. 2 in its Post-2015 Primer Series: the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. This very helpful publication has just been released by the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service to provide in-depth information on the OWG.