Post-2015 development agenda intergovernmental negotiations, 20-31 July, No 21: Discussions on latest draft

Following  the  release of the draft document on 30 July, the intergovernmental body reconvened at about 8pm (EDT) for a session, which the Co-facilitators expected to last up a little after 10 pm. According to Ambassador David Donoghue, the mood in room that such  that as would deliver a good results.  

Statements were made from the Groups, beginning with the South Africa, speaking on behalf of G77 and China . While the draft outcome document is not perfect, as it doesn’t reach all their concerns, they said that agreement is possible. I.t is an issue of a delicate compromise and they should avoid making perfection the enemy of good. They then outlined the paragraphs with which they had problems.

European Union also noted that there were improvements in the text, which reflected a better balance across the three pillars. They can accept the shorter version of the preamble as it is, but will have a number of issues if it is reopened. There are also improvements in the Declaration and they welcome the revisions on the targets. As far as the footnote on the Open Working Groups report, they should simply refer to General Assembly resolution 68/309. There were a number of areas, on which they had significant concerns.

Tanzania, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said there is much in the draft that embraces collective efforts and they listed a number of areas on which they wanted to see changes. Maldives, speaking on behalf of AOSIS, made comments including on the preamble, recognizing that they could support the second alterative, although they were not ‘married’ to it.  Zambia, speaking on behalf of the landlocked developing countries, emphasized the need to take into account the Vienna Programme of Action. United Arab Emirates, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, set out the paragraphs with which they had problems, suggesting that the language in paragraph 46 was overly melodramatic. Benin, speaking on behalf of the LDCs, noted the spirit of convergence, while recognizing that there are no further possibilities for consolidation. Belize, speaking on behalf of CARICOM, stressed that something was missing on climate change, while stating their preference for the shorter preamble.

A number of Member States then commented on the draft, including a somewhat confrontational statement by the United States at the end of the evening. This morning, Friday, further statements were made by Member States, including one that was much more conciliatory by  Ambassador Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations. The European Union also provided detailed text amendments