9th Session of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, 3-5 March 2014 No 4

Open Working Group… next steps

On the afternoon of 5 March, Co-Chair Kamau described the Co-Chairs’ ideas for the “way forward” for the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs proposed the following inputs, prepared by the Co-Chairs, to support discussions at the next session: 

•  slightly amended (“tweaked”) focus areas document, reflecting the comments made by delegates at the current session,( to be released by 19 March);
•  matrix document, mapping how different focus areas could come together through interlinkages; 
•  compendium document, describing existing targets that have previously been agreed; and 
•  technical document, describing the differences between goals, targets and indicators. This would be the subject of a discussion during OWG-10, to ensure a common understanding of the three terms.

OWG-10 will be structured to proceed through the entire focus area document, discussing a few issues at a time. The discussion will focus on proposals for targets and goals. At the end of OWG-10 it is proposed that another “way forward” discussion will determine how OWG-11 will proceed.

Discussion from members of the OWG

Brazil said the Co-Chairs should not introduce major structural changes to the document, which already enjoys broad support. Instead there should be a narrative to frame the goals that would be “extracted” from Rio+20 without renegotiating the language. The focus areas should be more universal and
not addressed only to developing countries, but  differentiated through the targets. The SDGs should not prescribe national policies but “update the international commitment” on sustainable development. Each goal should indicate its means of implementation. Ireland urged moving to a “real conversation on substance,” with future meetings allowing for fully interactive exchanges. The technical explanation of goals, targets and indicators will help to establish a common understanding.

Colombia welcomed a gradual process for revising the focus areas document; “clustering” of focus areas for the next session’s discussions; the proposed matrix of interlinkages, since their importance has been repeated throughout the past year; and the focus on targets, not only on goals. Pakistan said that, while preferring to move in a more expeditious manner, he appreciated the caution in the Co-chairs document the Co-Chairs. Argentina requested some narrative from the Rio+20 outcome that should be added to the “tweaking, as it ” is a “one-time tweaking,” after which the text should evolve through consultations among Member States. Saudi Arabia said the preamble should be clear on the legality within which the goals will be developed. 

Australia, on the other hand, said that a narrative was unnecessary as we already have the Millennium Declaration and Rio+20 outcome. The OWG should aim for consensus on the totality, while being unable to reach consensus on each of the goals. Germany, also for France and Switzerland, said the time is right to propose goals and targets, including proposed interlinkages. Thematic clusters similar to those used during the stocktaking phase would be helpful in organizing further discussions.

Iran said it is time for new proposals and a tangible document. The OWG should not be discussing prescriptive indicators. Cuba favored more direct exchanges, including the possibility of direct negotiations. The next version of the document should include a narrative, which is already contained in the Rio+20 document and includes common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). Each goal must include means of implementation (MOI) for effective implementation, particularly at the international level.

United States supported a strong agreement on ambitious, clear and measurable goals with targets, which is the OWG’s primary mandate. Targets should be identified that can have the greatest impact on the desired goals. Zambia said targets and goals cannot be framed in isolation from MOI. India stressed that “tweaking” should not mean subtracting from the focus areas document, but should add to and clarify certain parts of the text. The next iteration of the document should provide some understanding of how MOI could go along with each goal. China said that a narrative should be a brief, technical and a practical preamble to introduce the final report.