Call for proposals: Advocacy grants for post- 2015

2014 marked the twentieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). 2015 is the year the successor to the Millennium Development Goals will be negotiated and adopted. The outcome of these processes will greatly impact future Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) policy, funding and programming priorities at global level and at national level.

Civil society (CS) has a critical role to play in influencing government priorities and positions for the post- 2015 regional and global negotiations. To ensure that CS engagement in these processes is strong, meaningful and has impact IPPF is launching round two of a small grants facility. The facility will support CS engagement in post 2014/15 policy processes. This fund will support CSOs who are working with their governments, at country level, to develop strong positions in support of SRHR. This will enable governments to champion SRHR and population dynamics in forthcoming global policy opportunities related to the ICPD and all the processes that feed into the development of the post- 2015 development framework. 

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Save the date: PGA Interactive Hearing with Civil Society (16 Jan 2015)

This interactive dialogue will take place in advance of the five high-level thematic debates and events that the General Assembly President will host in 2015 as a contribution to delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda, namely:

1. High-Level Thematic Debate on Means of Implementation for a Transformative Post-2015 development agenda (9-10 February 2015) 
2. High-Level Thematic Debate on Advancing Gender equality and empowerment of Women in the Post-2015 development agenda (6 March 2015)
3. High-Level Thematic Debate on Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation (6 April 2015 TBC)
4. High-Level Thematic Debate on Strengthening Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations (15 May 2015)
5. High-Level Event on Climate Change (29 June 2015). 

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UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis report on the post-2015 sustainable development agenda available in all UN official languages

Please note that the Secretary-General's synthesis report on the post-2015 sustainable development agenda is now available in all the UN official languages at http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/

February negotiating session for the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Apply for stakeholder steering committee and speaking roles

The UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs - Division for Sustainable Development (DESA-DSD) Major Groups Programme and the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) are working together to set up stakeholder Steering Committees to ensure broad and inclusive participation of stakeholders in the negotiating sessions on the post-2015 development agenda, taking place at UN Headquarters in New York. DESA-DSD and UN-NGLS are also facilitating nomination processes for speakers to contribute to these sessions, in accordance with the modalities that are defined for the negotiations.

Submit Steering Committee applications and speaker nominations now for the 17-20 February post-2015 negotiating session. 

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Unleash Adolescent Girls’ Potential: A Response to the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report.

The response, with 80 signatures from over 15 countries, is available for download here. 

Women’s Major Group Response to the Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report “The Road to Dignity by 2030”

The Women’s Major Group presents its analysis and response to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Report “The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming all Lives and Protecting the Planet”. 

UNGA Reaches Informal Agreement on Post-2015 Summit Organization

As reported by the IISD, Member States have informally agreed on a draft resolution on the ‘Organization of the UN Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda,' which includes on the dates of the Summit, itself.  It will take place on 25-27 September 2015, in New York, US, with the 70th session of the UN General Debate beginning on 28 September.  (See: Consultations to continue on Post-2015 summit modalities)

The Summit will be convened as a High-level Plenary meeting of the UNGA and include plenary meetings concurrent with interactive dialogues. The rules of procedure and established practices of the UNGA will apply, unless otherwise decided.

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Member States agree decision on modalities for the process of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda

Member States have reached agreement on the modalities of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. (See attached)

In summary:

• The UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis report is noted. 
• The negotiations will be held in accordance with General Assembly procedures and practices and the process will be open, transparent and inclusive as well as consistent with the resolution for the organization of the UN Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda. 
• The Co-facilitators will ensure the engagement of relevant stakeholders including major groups and civil society, also building on the practices of the Open Working Group (OWG). 
• The outcome document will be prepared for adoption at the Summit and may include the following main components: Declaration; Sustainable Development Goals and targets; Means of Implementation and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development; and follow-up and review;
• The proposal of the OWG will be the main basis for integrating sustainable development goals into the post-2015 development agenda, while recognizing that other inputs, will also be considered; 

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APWLD’s response to the UNSG’s Synthesis report

The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) has prepared its analysis of the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis report and has submitted it to the UN-NGLS and DESA-DSD. The full report can be accessed via its website.

European Union Council conclusions on a transformative post-2015 agenda

The Council of the European Union (General Affairs Council), on 16 December 2014 adopted the Council conclusions on a transformative post-2015 agenda. These will underpin the positions of the EU during the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. It provides direction and guidance, without being too prescriptive. This is very important at this stage in the process. It is therefore important to read the full document carefully and to use it when working with the EU and its Member States. Meanwhile, some of the key points are highlighted below.

The Council conclusions note the great opportunity provided by the post-2015 development agenda “to address some of the key global issues facing the world today in a truly transformative manner.” Foremost among these issues are the interrelated challenges of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development in all its three dimensions (environmental, social and economic). They emphasize the need for “an ambitious agenda” to address these challenges in a coordinated and coherent manner that “leaves no-one behind.” They consider progress so far and the opportunities ahead, as the next phase of the international process begins. 

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