The documents have been released by the Co-Chairs for the 10th session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (OWG-10). They are
It can be seen from these documents that the OWG is now going to move quickly to the development goals and targets. These documents are therefore extremely important, as they not only indicate how the Co-Chairs see this process developing but also as to what should be included …and also what is missing.
In their letter the Co-Chairs stress that they see the merit on focusing attention on the “ultimate objective of developing a set of goals and targets” and that they propose that the OWG should begin a “structured discussion” with more “in-depth consideration of clustered focus areas and their respective sub-areas.” They see the next step as consolidating and clustering with the idea of moving towards goals and targets.
Nineteen focus areas are still identified. They are becoming more clearly defined with lists of sub-areas that could be included under each of them.
Focus area 3. Health and population dynamics: Focused on the right to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health and improving healthy life expectancy, some of the areas to be included under health and population are: universal health coverage; strengthening health systems; the elimination of preventable child and maternal deaths; and ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Sub-area 3(k) is “access to sexual and reproductive health, including modern methods of family planning.” It does not, however, talk about ‘universal access’.
Other reference related to population dynamics include:
Focus area 4. Education: This focus area begins with the right of everyone to education and universal access to quality education. While it specifies primary and secondary education, vocational training and skills development for youth and adult literacy and lifelong learning, it does not specifically include tertiary education. Sub-area 4(g) refers to sustainable development in the education curricula; any reference to comprehensive sexuality education is, however, missing.
Focus area 5. Gender equality and women’s empowerment: Provision of equal opportunities for women and girls as well as men and boys is noted for the full realization of their rights… and a number of sub-areas are listed including ending all forms of discrimination; ending all forms of violence against women and girls; and ending child, early and forced marriage; and disaggregated data. Sub-area 5(i) is disappointing as it is “sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights” instead of “sexual and reproductive health and rights”.
Gender equality and women are also mentioned under focus areas on Poverty eradication; Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition; Health and population dynamics; Education; Water and sanitation; Energy; Employment; Promote equality; and Peaceful and non-violence societies, rule of law and capable institutions. No specific mention is included, however, under areas such as Economic growth; Industrialization; Sustainable cities and human settlements or those related to Climate and conservation; and Sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas.
Focus area 11. Employment and decent work for all: This focus area includes sub-areas on gender and participation of women in the labour force and on the rights of migrant workers. It also addresses youth unemployment and access to decent and productive work and to credit. It should be noted, however, that there are few other references to youth and young people except for focus areas such as Poverty eradication; Education; and Promoting equality.
Focus area 13. Sustainable cities and human settlements: Sub-areas that relate to population dynamics include those on prevention of slum conditions and provision of adequate and affordable housing; sustainable transport; safe public spaces and services; enhanced capacities for urban planning; and promoting accessible cities.
Quality, evidence-based and disaggregated data: The need for quality, evidence-based and disaggregated data is included under focus areas such as poverty eradication; gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Civil society: The strengthening of civil society is included under other areas that could be included in Focus area 19. Peaceful and non-violent societies, rule of law and capable institutions. The inclusion of civil society in the implementation of the sustainable development goals is something that requires further consideration.
This document separates out the interlinkages for the 19 focus areas.
The session will take place from 31 March – 4 April 2014. The Co-Chairs propose a structured discussion by grouping the 19 focus areas into eight clusters:
In addition to discussions on these clusters and also the way forward, there will be an interactive debate with Major Groups and Other Stakeholders.