Summary of the Concluding remarks by the Co-facilitators for the Stocktaking session of the negotiations on the post 2015 development agenda

Summary of the Concluding remarks by the Co-facilitators for the Stocktaking session of the negotiations on the post 2015 development agenda, Ambassador David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN, and Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN

Below is a summary of key points made by the Co-facilitators at the conclusion of the Stocktaking session of the negotiations on the post 2015 development agenda. From these it is clear that there is general agreement that the Open Working Group (OWG) Proposal should not be reopened. There are divergences on the ‘technical proofing’. On indicators the Statistical Commission will present a draft set of indicative global indicators in advance of the March Session, although this work is unlikely to be completed before the Summit in September. Suggestions were made as to what should be included in the Declaration and the Co-facilitators will circulate suggested elements before the February session. Higher ambition is needed in the Means of Implementation and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development and multiple stakeholders should be involved in the Follow-up and Review. The Co-facilitators welcome the contribution from civil society and their contribution in raising public awareness about the sustainable development goals. 

Ambassador David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN noted that:

They had made an excellent start in this stocktaking meeting with a very level high interest in this process. The presence of civil society and major groups in large numbers was positive and encouraging and the Co-facilitators looked forward to pursuing the dialogue. 

•  The President of the General Assembly (PGA), the Secretary-General and President of ECOSOC provided a very clear picture as to the challenges ahead and issues to be addressed with less than 250 days left to achieve the MDGs, and there should be a final push to achieve these goals. 
•  There are three critical processes in 2015-- Post 2015, Financing for Development (FfD) and Climate change. The High-level Political Forum and ECOSOC have a role to play in monitoring the implementation of this agenda, and there is a need for a renewed global partnership.
•  Member States are committed to engage constructively in the process to ensure the best possible outcome for the September Summit 

The Secretariat will circulate a short summary of the discussions bearing in mind that statements delivered will be available in full online.

 I. Integrating sustainable development goals and targets into the post-2015 development agenda 

•  Goals and targets -- Member states are united in recognising that the OWG Proposal, which is the main basis for the integration of SDGs and targets in the post-2015 development agenda, “is a far reaching and ambitious achievement, one which integrates the different dimensions of this agenda in a very effective and balanced way, and which has captured a very careful political balance.” The proposal of the OWG is the outcome of “an open, transparent and inclusive intergovernmental process”, engaging multiple stakeholders and that enjoys broad legitimacy. There was no support in the meeting to re-open the exhaustive negotiations of the OWG. 
•  Technical proofing -- Some divergences exist on what is being described as ‘technical proofing’. Some fear that it risks undermining the delicate political and substantive balance and it could end up re-opening the substance of the proposal. Others felt that the UN Task team should carry out a technical proofing of the goals and targets, as during the process of agreeing the OWG proposal last July, they may have slipped below existing international standards in relation to some targets, or language was perhaps used which makes a common understanding difficult to achieve. Criteria were also suggested by some to guide a technical proofing while others propose strict parameters for that exercise. 
•  Indicators -- Linked is the issue of global indicators, the Co-facilitators, as mandated last December, had made contact with the UN Statistical Commission. They will present a draft set of indicative global indicators, which would accompany the SDGs and targets in advance of the March session.  Indicators will not be negotiated in this intergovernmental process and it probably will not be possible to complete the work on them between now and September. The material from the Statistical Commission will help to address the issue of global indicators. It will examine the targets in the OWG proposal in preparing this and will also work with the UN Task Team and other stakeholders. The Commission could also draw attention to points of a purely technical nature, which will be considered during the March meeting. 
•  The Co-facilitators expect that the Commission will check “whether any targets fall below already existing agreements and international law; whether any targets duplicate others or are inconsistent with others; or whether the targets are specific, measurable and action orientated.” 
•  Member states will respond to the points made by the Commission during the March session and will consider the input from the Commission and how to go forward. 

II. Declaration 

• This was the first opportunity for Member States to comment in detail on  the Declaration and their suggestions included how the Declaration might be prepared and the substance it might cover. 
• With the agreement of Member States, and taking into account what has been heard, the Co-facilitators will circulate in advance of the February meeting, a short paper proposing elements for our declaration. 
• The Co-facilitators noted convergence on a number of issues related to the Declaration. From the initial impressions they thought that the following were suggested. The Declaration should: 
  • Draw on some key documents such as the Millennium Declaration, the Rio+20 outcome document, the OWG report, the UNSG’s Synthesis Report; and this list is not exhaustive. 
  • Reflect the integrated nature of the sustainable development agenda, its focus on people and planet; 
  • Reaffirm core values and principles, including principles such as universality, mutual accountability, shared responsibility, common but differentiated responsibilities, sustainability, human equality and dignity, and respect for human rights. 
  • Reflect the universality of the agenda as well as the need for a differentiated approach to its implementation and for consideration to be given to the needs of countries in special situations; 
  • Be comprehensive in scope but concise, inspirational and visionary in its terms. 

III. Means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development 

• It will be impossible to deliver on the ambition of the SDGs without an even higher level of ambition in terms of means of implementation and global partnership. 
• The Co-facilitators appreciated the contributions of Ambassadors Talbot and Pederson, the co-facilitators of the FFD process, and Mr Homi Kharas. The Ambassadors brought home the inherent interconnectedness of the two processes and the parallels between the topics covered in Goal 17 and the main chapters of the Monterrey Consensus and Doha Declaration were highlighted. It was helpful to hear about areas on which greater emphasis will be placed in the Addis track. 
• Everything possible must be done to maximise coherence between these two processes, and this is something to which they will be returning. 

IV. Follow-up and review 

• This was the first time when member states had the opportunity to share their thoughts on follow up and review in some detail. 
• From the presentations by the three distinguished speakers, the following are noted:
  • Many emphasised that, for the agenda to have legitimacy, multiple stakeholders must be involved in the review process. 
  • Some were cautious about the use of terms such as accountability, monitoring etc.
  • Some emphasised that no target should be considered met unless met by all relevant income and other groupings. 
  • Many suggested that the framework for reviewing post 2015 commitments must be universal, voluntary and non-selective and built on existing review mechanisms and processes. 
  • Many highlighted the role of the UN System in following up on the Agenda. The High-level Political Forum has an important role to play in that regard. 

On process 

• The Facilitators heard very clearly that Member States would like sufficient notice of the programme for each of our sessions and for the programme to allow sufficient time for member states to provide their inputs. 
• There was the request that developing countries, especially LDCs, be provided with resources to support their participation in these negotiations, to which the Secretariat had earlier referred. 
• There was emphasis on the need for coherence with other processes including Financing for Development and Climate Change. There will be a briefing on the Lima Conference of Peru at a later session. 
• They will shortly circulate a very short and simple decision which will address the budgetary implications relating to the production of the outcome document for September’s summit. 

Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN, made the following points: 

• On the role of experts and the need to find a balance between those who want to receive expert contributions and those who want to focus directly on the negotiations, the Co-facilitators appreciate the concern of member states to allow ample time for dialogue, while others wish to benefit from expert views on specific topics. 
• On the role of civil society and major groups, he said that it was a “good exercise and signals the way to go for the future.” They were especially encouraged by the member states in the room listening to and dialoguing with these stakeholders. They are concerned about raising the level of public awareness about the SDGs and civil society has a role to play in this. 
• There is a need for flexibility in preparing and planning these negotiations and It is difficult to predict when adjustments should be made to the roadmap, to change course. The Co-facilitators note the strong request for adequate time for preparation and consultation with capitals in advance of all meetings. 

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