Zero draft – HLPF and ECOSOC High Level Segment Ministerial Declaration now available

The Co-facilitators have circulated the zero draft of the Ministerial Declaration of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the ECOSOC High Level Segment.

Under the themes “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world” and “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions through promoting sustainable development, expanding opportunities and addressing related challenges” Ministers undertake to “realise the promise of the 2030 Agenda, for all people everywhere, ensuring that no one is left behind”.  The emphasis is on acceleration of the pace of implementation. (para 1)

The Declaration commits to a world in which all women and girls enjoy full gender equality, with barriers to their empowerment removed. (para 4) In addition, realizing gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment will contribute to progress across all the goals and targets is emphasized as well as linkages between gender equality and the eradication of poverty. (para 12) Youth and children are recognized as agents of change. (para 5) The need for their participation in implementation of the SDGs is also stressed as well as  ensuring that “youth education, skill development and employment …enable them to fulfil their potential as active members of society.” (para 16)

The indivisible and interlinked nature of the SDGs and targets is emphasized. (para 9) On health, investing in people’s health contributes to “reducing inequality, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection, and to the eradication of poverty and hunger”. (para 11)

There are references to the strengthening of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including enhancing governmental engagement with non-governmental organizations. (para 13)

The need for improved disaggregated data is also stressed, as well as capacity building for producing and analysing data and the adoption of the indicator framework is welcomed.