Post-2015 joint FfD and post-2015 session, 21-24 April — No 4: Regional positions on issues from FfD negotiating session

(based on reports from Alexandra Johns, Ida Klockmann and Jennifer Vinas-Forcade)  

Following the opening statements from the Co-facilitators of both the post-2015 negotiating and Financing for Development process (See: Next steps on Indicators, based on briefing for NGOs by Stephan Schweinfest, Director of UN Statistics Division) a number of statements were made on behalf of Regional Groups:

South Africa, on behalf of G77 and China, said that the session allowed Member States to look at the linkages between the FfD process and the post-2015 agenda. They support the holistic scope of the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha Declaration and the importance of the maintaining their balance. The Open Working Group (OWG) report would be the main basis of the Addis outcome document as it integrates means of implementation (MOIs) both as a stand-alone goal and in specific targets. He called for stronger synergies between FfD and inter-governmental negotiations (IGN) and said that the group looks forward to constructive discussions on a technology mandate.  The FfD process, however, is a financial process that goes beyond the SDGs. The SDGs will in turn draw from the outcomes of FfD. He called for agreement and commitment to a new phase of development to be the centrepiece for finishing the MDGs and the post-2015 development agenda. Climate finance must not be double-counted as overseas development assistance (ODA) and there should be a balance between the public and private sectors. The private sector has a complementary role to play in this regard. 

European Union said that the Addis outcome should be comprehensive and consistent with the means of implementation (MOI) in all post-2015 targets. There should be a balance across all 17 SDGs with support for MOI.  Addis should be framed as a comprehensive implementation pillar of the post-2015 addressing the three dimensions of sustainable development. with a single process of monitoring and review. The FfD framework must identify actions for all SGDs in balanced way. The final post2015 Summit document should include a political declaration; the goals and targets; global partnership and MOI; and the framework for monitoring and review. The EU recommends that the Addis outcome should be integrated into the post-2015 package. This could be done either by the Addis outcome becoming the MOI pillar or through a condensed version being agreed at Addis. 

Belize speaking for CARICOM said that the FfD should be coherent and mutually reinforcing. It provides a framework to support sustainable development at the national and international level. The post-2015 agenda is more aspirational, and targeted support will be needed. The MOI is the main point of convergence. CARICOM stressed that none of the goals should be reopened. In addition, the Statistical Commission is working on indicators that will address all targets. The FfD can contribute to implementation of goal 17 and should address mobilization of resources across the three pillars; provide appropriate policy guidance for resource flows and through various channels (inc bilateral and multilateral) aligned with SDGs; address the integrated nature of SDGs, specific deliverables with cross-cutting effects needed; and address vulnerable Member States and special cases such as SIDS. Tackling climate change is imperative and will require MOIs. There is a need for distinct follow-up and review processes for post-2015 and FFD

Ecuador, speaking on behalf of CELAC, said that there should be sound policies with commitment to international tax cooperation, debt relief, capacity building and technology transfer. The MOI are a vital cross-cutting aspect of the post-2015 agenda, which requires investment and coordinated efforts by Member States. There must be transparency, monitoring and accountability by all actors.

This is imperative for sustainable development as knowledge sharing can be a game changer for developing countries. Middle-income countries continue to have high levels of poverty and inequality persists. CELAC called attention to the role of women in all sectors and called for investment into social services.

The Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, emphasized that the main focus remains international public finances. They called for methods of measurement, other than GDP, does not properly capture development in SIDS. They noted the coherence between FFD and post2015, which complement not duplicate each other.  The MOI in goal 17 should also be integrated fully into the FFD outcome doc. They called for building resilience, and expanding funding flows and attention to be given to unique challenges of SIDS. Partnership should be anchored in mutual trust, accountability, transparency and the needs of developing states. There is a need to strengthen data collection and monitoring capabilities

Benin, speaking on behalf of the LDCs, said that the MOI should be commensurate with legitimate ambitions. There is a need to find optimal solutions for the global challenges facing humanity. The ambitious agenda should recognize the issue of inequality and the necessary MOI. Meaningful, measurable deliverables are required. The credibility of agenda will be judged on concrete improvements of LDCs. There should be efforts to change and cross the North /South divide and to face global challenges facing humanity together.  The commitments of 20 years ago cannot just be redefined. The LDCs recommend Group of LDCs want consensus on 25% of GNI of ODA; allocation of 50% of trade to LDS; cancellation of outstanding debts for LDCs; allocation and 0.1% of ODA to technology. There should also be institution building and reform. 

Tonga, speaking on behalf of the PSIDS, called for clarity in the relationship between the Post-2015 agenda and the FfD, to resolve outstanding grey areas.  The FfD must be explicit about which is considered to be a MOI for the targets. Financing is needed and 0.7% of GNI for ODA is critical. There must be special considerations for SIDS. Global partnerships are also required.

Zambia, speaking on behalf of the LLDCs (landlocked developing states), said that the post-2015 agenda and FFD are closely linked. All aspects of the MOI should be considered in a comprehensive way (as in the Rio+20 document), including technical transfer, capacity-building etc. LLDCs have special needs and vulnerabilities that should be recognized to ensure that no one is left behind. The MOI are important for the full integration into global trade markets. FfD should, however, not limited in scope of post-2015 agenda, but should reinforce the MOI. LLDCs need renewed partnership with transit countries, increased public-private partnerships to support sustainable development. Technological facilitation, financial assistance for transport infrastructure was also required.