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. 

Click to read more ...

Addendum to Report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals

An Addendum has been issued to the Report of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (See: Open Working Group adopts Outcome Document on Sustainable Development Goals)  (A/68/970/Add 1) giving explanations of position and reservation on the report.

Apart from many reservations that were issued on Goal 16, a number of countries made reservations on Goal 3, target 3.7 and on Goal 5, target 5.6.

1 Summary of types of reservations on sexual and reproductive health and rights and related issues

Click to read more ...

Side events during first negotiating session on post-2015 (19-21 January)

Please note that plans are already underway for the first session of the post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, which will take place at the UN in New York 19-21 January 2015. Those wishing to organize a side event during the session should see the following link: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=13&nr=912&menu=1561

Call for nominations: UN PGA's event on "Means of Implementation for a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda"

The UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS), at the request of the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA), is conducting an open process to obtain nominations for a civil society speaker in the PGA's high-level event on "Means of Implementation for a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda" which will take place at UN Headquarters in New York on 9-10 February 2015.

The individual selected will receive travel funding. Click here for further information see and to submit a nomination, please visit: http://bit.ly/PGA-MOI-nominate-CSO. 

The Health in Post-2015 Coalition’s response to the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis report on post-2015

As a coalition of advocates from health-related non-governmental organizations, engaged in the post-2015 development agenda process, we wish to highlight the following in our response to the UN Secretary General’s Synthesis report on post-2015, “The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet”:

1) The need for a strong health goal and targets based on the right to health

We support a strong post-2015 health goal, as proposed by the UN Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, which addresses the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals as well as new health priorities and challenges, including non- communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and universal coverage and equitable access to comprehensive quality health care – encompassing preventative, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services. Central to maximizing healthy lives and wellbeing for all at all ages is realizing the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and equity in health outcomes.

Click to read more ...

[CONCORD-Beyond2015 ETF] URGENT: Join a call for participation! (by 15th Dec)

Dear all, 

As you know, States are currently discussing in NY the format of next year’s intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 framework and the key question of Civil Society’s role in it.

We are optimistic that a similar level of CSO engagement will still be possible in this final phase of the post-2015 process but this is not something we can take for granted.

Click to read more ...

Civil society and modalities for the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda —latest information

A letter has been sent to the co-facilitators on the inclusion of Major Groups and other stakeholders in the post-2015 development agenda summit and associated preparatory process. (See: Full participation of civil society in post-2015 development agenda process) 

Beyond 2015 has also initiated a sign-on campaign for individuals to join.

Meanwhile, the co-facilitators will be holding a meeting with the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders on Monday 15 December at 11.45 in Conference room A in the UN building. Information will be posted, as available, on possibilities for remote participation.

Full participation of civil society in post-2015 development agenda process

The Coordinating Committee of the Civil Society Platform to Promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Beyond 2015, which brings together some 2000 organizations, has written to the Co-facilitators for the post-2015 development agenda process, requesting their strong support to ensure that the same access will be given to Major Groups and NGOs to the preparatory meetings as for UN Special Sessions. Precedents for such access have been set in the case of the UN Special Sessions for  Agenda 21 (A/RES/51/181 of 20 January 1997) and  ICPD+5 (A/RES/52/188 of 4 February 1998). (See attached) One of the Co-facilitators has already replied acknowledging receipt of the letter.

Click to read more ...

FfD Conference preparatory meeting

As part of the preparatory process for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development there will be informal meetings addressing the enabling environment, systemic issues, follow-up process and learning from partnerships from Tuesday, 9 December to Friday, 12 December 2014, at 10:00 and 15:00, in the Trusteeship Council Chamber. Additional information is available on the website of the Financing for Development Office.

For webcast please visit: http://webtv.un.org/

URGENT ACTION: Draft decision on modalities for post-2015 negotiations

The following draft decision was circulated on Tuesday by the Co-facilitators on the modalities for the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. It will be discussed in “informal informals” on December 10 and 11 and will seek to be finalized by December 16.  Consultation are taking place with the Major Group. OPs, and others about requesting an urgent meeting with the co-facilitators to ensure their commitment to “open, transparent and inclusive negotiations”. 

Click to read more ...