Post-2015 development agenda intergovernmental negotiations, 20-31 July, No 8 Opening statements from G77 and China, regional and other groups

South Africa speaking on behalf of G77 and China said that a month ago delegates felt that the document was credible and that they also welcome this draft in bringing them closer to the final agreements. Many of the concerns have been taken on board and they hope that the text can be refined. The agenda is a continuation of the work on the MDGs and addresses unfinished business, against a backdrop of Rio+20. It can also stand on its own, as well as alongside the outcome of FfD. The post-2015 development agenda is based on the three dimensions of sustainable development. The preamble is an improvement but requires more work and should be consistent with the declaration. It reflects that it is to build on achievements of the MDGs in its final paragraph, which should be included in paragraph 3 of the introduction. The G77 and China are pleased with the reference to poverty eradication in paragraph 3, as a multidimensional phenomenon and they note the references to CBDR etc, in accordance with several resolutions. Later they said on CBDR that they insist that it is reflected in the outcome document and they called for its reaffirmation as an overarching principle, which is non-negotiable. Inequalities in the world today have a historical background and poverty is a consequence of a variety of facts and situations over which those living in it have no control.  

They said that comments on paragraph 27 should not pre-judge the outcome of the FCCC. They welcome the reference to culture as an enabler. Shared responsibility contradicts CBDR and they also referred to official overseas development assistance (ODA). They welcomed the revised reference to migrants, especially to transit and destination, which  requires resources.

European Union said that the new draft was a viable basis for discussion and that they look forward to engaging with partners. They will come back with more specific comments on the various sections. The current draft of of the declaration includes the transformative nature of the agenda. They welcome the reference to human rights, which could still be reinforced. There is also a need to strengthen integration. The narrative of the new global partnership refers to shared principles, but there is still room for improvement. They still have concerns over other issues such as the need to reaffirm the principles of the MDGs, CBDR and the right to development. They welcome the integration of technical proofing including target14(c) to bring it into line with UN and other international law. The global partnership and MOI must decide this integration more fully. 

Maldives on behalf of AOSIS, noted that improvements had been made, bringing everyone closer to a text that all can approve. This is crucial for small island developing states (SIDS) as they are among those most likely to be left behind. The text should accurately reflect agreed language. All listings of countries in special situations should be consistent. For example, the preamble is not an accurate representation of the declaration etc. There is a need to refer to ‘people-centred’ and ‘resilience’. They made specific suggestions to the improve the text particularly noting concerns about the lack of reference to vocational training as well as the lack of reference to pre-and post-delivery in the context of ending all preventable deaths in paragraph 24. 

Zambia speaking on behalf of land-locked developing countries (LLDCs) noted that they attach utmost importance to the document. They mphasized coherence and the outcomes of global conferences. There is a need to reflect the outcomes on FfD and also on the Vienna Programme of Action, with references being inserted to LLDCs. 

Belize speaking on behalf of Caricom said that the preamble should be reorganized in a way to better reflect political commitments, for example it  misses out the SAMOA pathway. On the streamlining of language, they are still not convinced that the preamble adds value -- it can be misinterpreted and it reinforces a silo approach. The declaration is the main political statement. Commitments in paragraph 15 have larger value and they called for the reiteration of the Conference on SIDS. They wished to see more included on to climate change, with the magnitude of climate change being improved. They looked also for changes to paragraphs 21 and 27 and a correction to paragraph 35. In the listings they made special reference to children and young people

Tonga speaking on behalf of the Pacfic SIDS added that there is an imbalance between the three dimensions of sustain development.  They referred to the SAMOA pathway and how it should be included. 

Benin speaking on behalf of LDCs said that they wish to highlight the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and wished to see a full reflection of the FFD process in the post-2015 development agenda and also those not fully included. Agenda 2030 will motivate and translate  and they applauded the remarkable effort by the Co-facilitators. Poverty eradication recognized is recognized, but is reflected as merely an intention to address poverty. It should be made stronger. Language on ‘shocks’ eg environmental, economic and public health, needs to be included as well as crisis mitigation and resilience building for LDCs, to ensure that national capacity responds to these shocks without the ongoing multilateral mechanisms and processes. Finally based on Rio principles and in light of key lessons learned from the MDGs, they call for principle and differential and preferential treatment of LDCs to be reflected in the declaration.