Post-2015 development agenda intergovernmental negotiations, 20-31 July, No 28: Building the consensus for adopting the Agenda and explanations of votes – Part 2 Member States positions and Co-facilitators concluding remarks

United States said they thanked the Co-facilitators for their leadership and herding skills and the work they have done and the constructive goodwill determination of outside stakeholders and are pleased to join consensus on the outcome's ambition. It reaffirms the transformative nature of the multilateral system, and is a global commitment to a different kind of future. They are giving birth to something momentous, a commitment to a different kind of future, ensuring that the birth of “any girl or any boy born today, in any place on this planet,” is an entrance into a world of hope, free of poverty, hunger, violence and discrimination, full of opportunity and prosperity, and living in harmony with the planet. His country is pleased to join this consensus and is ready to adopt the agenda.  

Bangladesh said that they wished to thank all including Stakeholders. The document is balanced and is ready to adopt and that they should work together over the next 15 years, including to eradicate poverty and hunger and achieve gender parity. No one in the debates had objected to the inclusion of  “migration status” in paragraph 19 (human rights). Is it a typo, or work of some unknown operatives, as it has been deleted? To achieve the goal there has to be MOI, political commitment and confidence-building.

Brazil said they had joined the consensus on the preamble, which is a relevant synthesis of their work. They would have preferred more progressive and ambitious language on human rights, but it is a people centred agenda. They value the references to people with disabilities and those living with HIV/AIDS. They commit to implementing the agenda for all, including LGBTI, whether or not these groups and their concerns are fully stated, and would urge others to do so as well. Universality is a breakthrough, making differentiating more relevant, particularly the recognition of CBDR. There is a reasonable balance on the paragraphs 30 and 31 on climate change. The contextualization of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is fairly described. The role of the HLPF is recognized in the follow-up and review and they are pleased with the progress on the Technical Facilitation Mechanism.

Armenia said that the process has been difficult and they were speaking about the degree of perfection of the document. Some might want to see different wording but there is never a perfect text. Another substantive change in paragraph 38 had been made overnight and would hope that they would be as faithful to the Charter as other documents had been. The title of the document will be reflected in the way that progress is being  assessed in the coming years. 

Nigeria emphasized that they were ready to join the consensus. While the document was balanced they stressed that it was not a perfect document but they had to live with it and make the most out of what it offers.  It has the potential of giving rise to certain obligations for Member States. They observed by word of explanation, the misinterpretation of certain terms by the UN Secretariat and Agencies during the first meeting of the IAEG on the SDG indicators in a note from the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights on process of selecting indicators using human rights based approach. In their opinion, it does not give the UN or Agencies any mandate to promote sexual orientation and gender identity as “legally cognizable category” including by interpreting “or other status” in paragraph 19 or target 10.2. On sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in targets 3.7 and 5.6 and paragraph 26, it does not create or presume the existence of the right to abortion in any circumstance, which is dealt with in national legislation. Nor does it presume any right of adolescents or young children to access contraception, without parental responsibility, or the obligation to provide services that are neither lawful nor accessible or to use harmful contraceptives. The global indicator framework should not invade national policy space, nor be used to promote a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Other useful data bases also exist and national ownership should not be superseded by internationally established standards.

Switzerland said this agreement is proof that it was right to try “the seemingly absurd idea” of having 193 countries agree on a course for humanity and the planet, at a time of great uncertainty, economic crisis, and natural disasters. They were right not to lose hope. The focus going forward will be making this agenda a reality. The innovative ways of working together had helped transcend traditional divides, including the constituency system of the OWG. Citing the inclusive nature of the process and the use of Twitter as the main means of communication at times, and the presence of young children in the room at this historic moment, he said it is an agenda of the people, by the people and for the people. The text presents a lot of give and take and is no single country’s idea of a perfect document, he added, which is a sign that it is truly global and universal. 

Mexico said the ‘5Ps’ are indivisible and interlinked and sustainable development cannot be realized without respect the rule of law. The agenda is not perfect and they would have liked to have stronger on some issues. All actions and negotiations at the UN are carried out among countries and not groups They will address the agenda through their national development programme and international cooperation. It is a big step to ensure that people can live their lives under the rule of law, in which their human rights are respected, widening their opportunities for development and that human rights include the rights of all migrants regardless of their migratory status. They support an inclusive and participatory agenda, including civil society and they must also play their part. This agenda changes the development paradigm from a state-centered enterprise to one based on the well-being of the individual. 

Japan said that there is now a universal and people-centred agenda. The implementation will be crucial and difficult and they will make an effort to implement the goals and targets with other Member States and other Stakeholders.

Republic of Korea stressed the mutual understanding that has transpired during the negotiation which will important in the next 15 years. He referred specifically to the role of civil society in the process that his country will continue to play an active role in communication and implementation, including on follow-up and review, noting the role of ECOSOC on that matter, and the fact that the ECOSOC President is the current Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea. This document had been described by a senior member of civil society in a UN side event as historic with lofty contents, ranking almost alongside the Gettysburg Address for example. While might not be true, it is clear that their work is more significant than they may think. They and civil society are “all winners” and they should be proud of it. 

Ambassador Kamau pointed out that Korea, as President of ECOSOC, would be leading the High-level Political Forum.

At 6:25 pm, Co-Facilitators Ambassadors Macharia Kamau and David Donoghue declared the document officially adopted. They then invited Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General, to deliver a statement. 

Malcorra in her statement said “People thought at a certain point that this would never happen but you made it happen.” They have before them a new opportunity, which they don't necessarily grasp at this point. The United Nations is more relevant than ever before with all States coming together with a shared vision. She outlined the complexity of the agenda and its implementation challenges, but added that the UN, Member States, regional organizations, the private sector, NGOs and civil society at large. Everybody else will have to contribute noting that “the UN cannot do this alone.” She said the UN Secretary-General is deeply thankful for the achievement of this second milestone ahead of the 70th anniversary of the UN.  She thanked the Co-facilitators and also the Secretariat for their support during this long journey.

Ambassador Kamau thanked Madame Malcorra and through her the Assistant Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General himself and Amina Mohammed

China expressed their thanks saying that they has tried to be flexible and to do their best in bridging differences and building consensuses. They will continue to work with all countries on its full realisation.

Russian Federation said that the document is a delicate compromise and opens an opportunity for joint work, even where their positions do not coincide. They will work for its implementation in accordance with their national priorities and those international commitments to which they are a party.

Rwanda referred to the spirit of compromise for the document that will pave the way for addressing the three dimensions of sustainable development. The challenges are numerous but not insurmountable. They referred to the new partnership and they said that they would use all the means at their disposal, including delivering on social protection. Women and youth have to be part of the equation and they should be included through access to science and innovation.

Australia referred to the constructive spirit and civil society for their counsel in the process. The agenda will unify global efforts around a common goal. They welcome the clear commitment to protect human rights and promote gender equality and advance women’s empowerment, as well as those ensuring that no one is left behind including those with disabilities. 

Philippines commented on paragraph 19, which has dropped several groups, including migrants, from its text. It is not now a true presentation of the UNDHR, which is a living document that has been enriched by succeeding conventions and UN General Assembly Human Rights Council resolutions.

Norway said that never before have so many different actors, including Member States and civil society come together to agree on such a truly global and transformative agenda. This is just the start and Norway is fully committed to this agenda and the follow-up process.

Israel said development is too important for trying to score political points. He added it is time to breathe life into the agenda and turn paper into practice.

Canada thanked the Co-facilitators and their teams and said it had been a pleasure to work both with Member States and with civil society. 

Colombia recalled his country’s dream of the SDGs at Rio+20 to ensure a bright future for the planet. The adoption of the 2030 agenda is another historic step.

Morocco said that it was the most comprehensive and most ambitious development agenda in the history of the United Nations. They look forward to the implementation of the agenda. 

India welcomed the unequivocal reaffirmation of CBDR and the inclusion of the whole package of SDGs that were recommended by the OWG in 2014. They recognize the need to premise development on poverty eradication, saying that  global development and the Indian one will have to intersect closely for either to succeed. India noted the unprecedented engagement of the global community in this process, and the “breathtaking ambition and scope” of the agenda. He specifically highlighted the stakeholder community, civil society, specialized agencies as well as the UN Secretariat.

He thanked the Co-Facilitators as the “co-pilots of this journey across an ocean of ideas,” as the compass to their work and noted the several leaps of faith that had been collectively undertaken, adding that the mutual trust was never broken. India also recognized the negotiators from UN Member States, who have been more familiar with the 17 goals and 169 targets than with their children's school grades, "for the sake of the world." The vision for the new agenda is a world of “no North and there is no South, a world that is truly flat,” and “a sustainable world, without poverty and hunger, that is the only future worth wanting.”

Iran called for interpreting the document in a manner consistent with national legislation and development priorities, and culture and religious values and background and internationally recognized human rights. Their interpretation of other status, our groups, gender, sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is based on their national law and legislation and their national particularities. Indicators must not touch on topics that contradict national circumstances, policies and priorities and global indicators must not touch on subjects that are the province of national legislation nor lead to a ‘one size fits all’ approach. This should be clearly reflected in the work of the next session of the IEAG. Reporting should be voluntary, Iran will officially address their explanation of the vote in the General Assembly meeting, and the agenda will be one of the most important priorities for the country with a National Committee taking on the responsibility.

Ecuador, speaking of behalf of CELAC, said that they are committed to the agenda and they have presented the Agenda CELAC 2020 for the region, which will be a fundamental tool to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region. Referring to paragraph 44 and speaking as Ecuador, he said that it needs to be complemented by enhancing the transparency and consistency of the international monetary financial, trading and sovereign debt restructuring system, referring to the role of the UN in this regard. They looked forward to hosting Habitat 3 in Ecuador. It would be one of the first conferences after the adoption of the agenda.

Turkey spoke on the reference to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which Turkey is not a party, as not being construed as a change in their national position.

Grenada said that, doing the best ever and doing the best we can are two paradigms that leave room for more. But the length of time taken to prepare this document means it should be taken seriously as consensus is very costly and three years labour is true love for humanity.

Iraq spoke to thank the Co-facilitators and commend them for the practical balance between peace and security and development. 

Mexico, on behalf of a group of countries, expressing their concerns on the changes to targets 2.5 and 15.6, which could have been addressed without making a change to the targets. They are important on access to genetic resources. They will request that this statement be noted in the General Assembly records.

New Zealand said that the document will be the cornerstone of their collected endeavours to eradicate poverty. Perfection is not possible, but is not to be lamented. Instead diversity should be celebrated.

Holy See referred the document as not being perfect and that they will express their reservations in the General Assembly

Concluding remarks from Co-facilitators

Co-Facilitator David Donoghue praised Ambassador Kamau’s wisdom, fantastic command of the development agenda and his great tactical skills, as well as companionship, and thanked both Co-Facilitators’ teams. He said that the dedication of civil society colleagues had inspired them, and they can see in the document the fruit of their inputs can be seen in the document. He called for a special tribute to Amina Mohammed, the UN Secretary- General’s Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, for her inspiration, guidance and encouragement. He also thanked the Secretariat, DESA, led by Nikhil Seth, David O’Connor and other colleagues, noting their enthusiasm both for the post-2015 process and for “the whole project of sustainable development.” And, finally, he thanked all the delegations.

Co-Facilitator Macharia Kamau said he wished to send a message to Pope Francis through the Holy See as he had continuously prodded them to maintain a very high level of ambition, and a true dedication to poverty, on the suffering of the forgotten, and of sustainable development. He also dedicated the efforts of the three years and their product to the memory of Ambassador Roble Olhaye of Djibouti who had passed away the previous week. Although it would be impossible to thank everybody as it had a very long process, and deep down there was fear that all would not be well, but he never had doubt about making and he thanked everyone. 

He praised David Donoghue for his talent in working with the pen and crafting text, and he thanked his own very small staff. He also recognized the Secretariat, who really made them look good, particularly Nikhil and David, who are so dedicated. He also thanked the interpreters, and truly, not finally, the UNGA President Sam Kutesa, whom he said had been calling almost every hour and who had placed amazing trust in the Co-Facilitators, saying when he left on Monday that he was leaving knowing that they were going to get the task done. 

Ambassador Kamau said that he would look at his phone when he got outside at the Twitter feed, which had been going crazy. The individuals responsible for that were the civil society sitting at the back of the room and he thanked them for their energy and dedication. He thanked the business community for their determination to be involved in the UN system and the agenda. He also mentioned and thanked “his wonderful posse” as he used to call them, mentioning the Commat Director among others specifically by name. 

And he adjourned the meeting at 7:35 pm on Sunday, 2 August 2015, saying, “Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The business is done, we have a post-2015 development. God bless you all!”