Outcome of the Regional Consultation Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Perspectives from Europe and Central Asia on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Istanbul, 6-8 November 2013

The regional consultation Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Perspectives from Europe and Central Asia on the Post-2015 Development Agenda was held from the 6-8 November 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. It provided an opportunity to ensure the integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) into the regional priorities and to engage with other civil society organization (CSOs), including environmental and education organizations on related issues. 

CSO consultation:

The official consultation was preceded by a self-organised CSO consultation, which brought together more than 170 participants from the region. It involved representatives mainly from the Major Groups  for Children and Youth, Farmers, Indigenous People, Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations, Women and Trade Unions. Participants worked in thematic groups during the CSO consultation to elaborate key recommendations on the regional priorities for the Post 2015 framework, and to outline key asks to governments on the themes linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These recommendations were presented the following day to the government and UN representatives. For summary of the recommendations, which includes a section on SRHR and comprehensive sexuality education click here.

UNECE-UNDP Consultation:

The UNECE-UNDP organized consultation took place during two days, during which panellist presented and discussed seven key themes:

• Overall Framework: Equality Accountability and Sustainability
• Education and Decent Jobs
• Health and Social Protection
• Population Dynamics and Migrations
• Natural Resources, Sustainable Consumption & Production, Green Cities
• Making the New Agenda Work from Local to Global
• The Power of Measurement: Monitoring Progress.

The official Consultation report, which is currently being elaborated, includes references to  SRHR. It will feed into the ongoing post-2015 process.

Youth participants made a strong statement, including SRHR, that was presented and shared during the meeting.

Statement: Women’s Major Group and women’s rights movements

In collaboration with the Women’s Major Group and other women’s rights CSO’s statement on regional priorities on Gender equality and sustainability development was drafted.