Progress report of the Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals

The Co-Chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals have completed their summary report on the work of the Group during its ‘stock-taking phase’. This document will serve as a basis for its work going forward. They will, however, also provide a further document that will act as a framework for the beginning of the negotiating phase.

It is important to review this summary of the work of the Group to date in working to ensure the inclusion of issues of major interest. Some CSOs have already expressed concern at the lack of inclusion of references to gender equality and women’s empowerment, although it does refer to the support of a stand-alone goal on gender equality. Others are concerned at the limitations included on sexual and reproductive health and rights. It is, however, included.

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Progress report of the Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals (shortened version)

Chapter I

Introduction

The introduction refers specifically to The Future We Want, the outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, particularly paragraph 248, setting up the open working group (OWG) to report to the 68^th session of the General Assembly with a proposal for sustainable development goals. The outcome document of the September 2013 special event, urged that the OWG complete its work by September 2014. This report focuses on the progress made in the deliberations during the first eight meetings of the OWG. 

Chapter II

Organizational matters

Chapter II lists the OWG sessions already held, the elected officers, HE Csaba Kőrösi (Hungary) and HE Macharia Kamau (Kenya) as its Co-Chairs, and details of its methods of work. The issues considered during its sessions are listed. (paras 9-11)

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Post-2015 Outreach Group Meeting/Call, 20 February, 14.30 hours GMT

A meeting/teleconference of the Post-2015 Strategic Outreach Planning Group will be held on Thursday 20 February 2014 at 2:30pm GMT (09:30 hours in New York / 14:30 hours in London / 15:30 hours in Geneva / 20:30 hours in Bangkok. For other cities and time zones click here.

The meeting will be chaired by Ms. Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso, Director African Monitor. Please see attached draft agenda. See below the venue and dial in information.

This discussion will present a unique opportunity to hear the views of African stakeholders in relation to the post-2015 agenda, including: a review of the Africa Common Position on the Post-2015 Agenda, an overview of the results and findings from the Voice Africa’s Future and MY World initiatives in Africa, and a closer look at critical issues such as inequality and governance from an African perspective.

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Update on President of General Assembly’s High Level Events, including CSO briefing, Thursday 6 February No 2

High Level Event of the General Assembly “Contributions of Human Rights and the Rule of Law in the Post-2015 Development Agenda” 17 – 18 June, 2014

The High-Level Event on Human Rights and Rule of Law will examine how human rights, including the right to development and rule of law at national and international levels, can support an inclusive people-centred governance agenda. Governance, human rights and the rule of law are pivotal to sustainability and the development agenda. See https://www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/settingthestage/5hrrol.shtml

Stock taking event in early September 

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Update on President of General Assembly’s High Level Events, including CSO briefing, Thursday 6 February No 1 -- The Contributions of Women, the Young and Civil Society to the Post-2015 Development Agenda

The President of the General Assembly John Ashe hosted a briefing on Thursday 6 February for CSOs on the three high level events and the three thematic debates that he will convene in 2014 as a contribution to the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda.

The list of events (with dates) is available along with the concept papers.

No 1 High-Level Event of the General Assembly The Contributions of Women, the Young and Civil Society to the Post-2015 Development Agenda, 6-7 of March, 2014

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Civil society responds to Global Survey for ICPD Beyond 2014 Operational Review

Civil society organizations (CSOs) have launched their responses to the Global Survey, the results of which are included in the Framework of Actions for the follow-up to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development Beyond 2014.

While Governments were asked to involve CSOs and youth groups in the completion of the Global Survey for the ICPD Beyond 2014 Operational Review, in many cases this did not happen. It was therefore decided that a survey would be carried out addressed specifically to CSOs and youth groups.

To allow comparisons with government perceptions, the Civil Society Survey used the same areas and population groups as the Government Survey and replies were compiled using the same coding system. However, CSOs were asked to give one priority, whereas governments were asked to give up to five priorities. Where CSOs did give more than one priority, only the first one was included in the analysis. Furthermore, responses were only taken where CSOs worked on the issues concerned with the majority working on issues related to women, gender-based violence, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, youth development and LGBT issues. Although in replying CSOs were asked to identify neglected areas as well as priorities, only priorities were analyzed as both areas tended to be very similar.

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Open Working Group discusses promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment No 6

All the Women’s Major Group papers on key issues for OWG-8, including the one on gender, which sets out in a comprehensive way some of the major gender issues fo rhte post-2015 development agenda, can be found here

Open Working Group discusses promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment No 5

Co-Chairs’ Summary bullet points on gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights 

The Co-Chairs presented a number of bullet points that referred to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights in their Summary at the end of OWG-8. These are:

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Open Working Group discusses promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment No 4

Joint statement of 48 countries to the Open Working Group

Argentina

HE Maria Cristina Perceval, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations delivered a statement on behalf of 48 countries on issues related to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The post-2015 development agenda must tackle the root causes of inequalities and achieving gender equality must be a priority. Gender inequality undermines progress while achieving equal rights improves the well-being of children and households.  The needs of older women and their contribution to sustain development should not be forgotten. We should be strategic and pragmatic – building on the MDGs. 

The following must be incorporated into the post-2015 development framework:

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Open Working Group discusses promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment No 3

Interventions from the floor

Members of the Open Working Group (OWG) were appreciative of the introductory presentations and spoke on a number of issues related to inequalities. This report will focus specifically on issues related to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

References were made to areas including women’s and girls economic and social empowerment; women’s participation in decision-making; equal access to education; reducing proportion of unpaid work; primary health care, maternal health; gender-based violence; effective monitoring mechanism; child, early and forced marriage; and the role of men.

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