IPCI Side Event at UNGA: Implementing the promise of the Stockholm Declaration

Over 100 parliamentarians, government ministers, representatives of diplomatic missions and civil society members attended a side event on the outcome of the 2014 International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD (IPCI). The event took place on the eve of the UNGA Special Session On The Follow-Up To The Programme Of Action Of The ICPD Beyond 2014.

At IPCI 2014, held in Stockholm from 23 to 25 April, parliamentarians from 134 countries agreed a Statement of Commitment (SoC) representing their strongest call ever to implement the ICPD Programme of Action.

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Women’s Major Group 2014 Response to the Report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing (Final Draft, 8 August 2014)

The Women’s Major Group (WMG) has released its response to the Report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing (Final Draft, 8 August 2014). 

The WMG welcomes the Committee’s recognition that its work must be founded on key Rio principles, including human rights, gender equality, and common but differentiated responsibilities, and that the principle of country ownership is also a basic precept in its work. However, members are concerned that the Committee has not sufficiently integrated these principles into its analysis and recommendations, and that it ultimately does not do enough to challenge a model of development that perpetuates inequalities between rich and poor, men and women, and between developed and developing countries...

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Address by South Africa’s Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, MP, on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly on the commission on population and development

Ms Bathabile Dlamini, speaking as South Africa’s Minister of Social Development, gave a strong presentation at a meeting of the commission on population and development on harnessing the demographic dividend and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health at the UN in New York. In the context of the Addis Ababa Declaration, she discussed sexual and reproductive health and rights, reproductive justice and the links between human rights and development.

The Minister reaffirmed her government’s  position in relation to population and development, saying  “The South African Population Policy, in accordance with the South African Constitution and guided by the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD), emphasises the attainment of sustainable development and places people at the centre of that development. Development is seen as a process of enlarging people’s capabilities and ensuring that they enjoy long, healthy and creative lives. This is based on an approach that fundamental human rights and sustainable development cannot be separated if we are to improve the lives of people.”

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Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development (IEAG)

The Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development to advise the Secretary-General on measures required to close the data gaps and strengthen national statistical capacities, (see: Sustainable Development Solutions Network “Indicators and a monitoring framework for Sustainable Development Goals”) has made the following arrangements to interact with CSO:

• a website will be launched on 26 September to provide ongoing discussion forums, with a number of webchats hosted by the Co-chairs and the Lead Author during the writing of the report
• The second day of its meeting 25- 26 September will be devoted to interactions with civil society and academia. Those wishing to attend the session should complete the online application.

Preparations for Post-2015 Indicator Framework

As reported on the iisd website: The UN Statistics Division (UNSD) has issued a note on ‘Work on the indicator framework for the post-2015 development agenda,' in the context of the 24th Session of the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities, held in Rome, Italy, on 11-12 September 2014. 

According to the note, the goals and targets as included in the Report of the Open Working Group (OWG) and the General Assembly outcome on the post-2015 development agenda will serve as the basis for the framework, which will provide indicators to monitor and report progress on the agenda.

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Save the Date: Determining our Future: How well are the issues of young people being addressed in the Post 2015 agenda?

25 September, 1:00-2:30 PM
UNFPA Conference Room 5D

Join us for a discussion with the following panelists:

• Laura Laski: Chief, Sexual and Reproductive Health Branch, Technical Division, UNFPA
• Catherine Nyambura: Dandelion Kenya
• Fale Andrew Lesa: SIDS Youth Network, New Zealand
• Samuel Kissi: Programmes Coordinator, Curious Minds, Ghana
• Dareen Lail: Y-PEER International Coordinator in charge of capacity building, Y-PEER Network Coordinator- UNFPA, Jordan

Moderator: Kelly Thompson, Liaison Officer for Reproductive Health Issues including AIDS, International Federation of Medical Students’ Association

Please RSVP with your name and organizational affiliation by September 23rd to babu@youthcoalition.org

Change over in the Presidency of the UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has concluded its 68th Session with a plenary session reflecting on its achievements toward formulating the post-2015 development agenda and future priorities, including continued efforts to revitalize and reform the UN. 

Among its achievements the 68the Session completed the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (see: Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States adopts its outcome document the “S.A.M.O.A. Pathway”); produced a High Level Declaration on migration and development; and established the UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. In its final session, It also adopted a resolution on ‘Four one-day structured dialogues on possible arrangements for a facilitation mechanism to promote the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies” (A/68/L.62).

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SRHRPlatform2015 side event Sept 25 UNHQ

Invitation to the SRHRPlatform2015 side event being held on the 25th of September at UN HQ: Leaving no one behind in the post-2015 Develpment Framework. 

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Draft resolution on Post-2015 Summit Modalities transmitted to UN General Assembly

The President of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, HE John W Ashe, has transferred the draft resolution on the organizational modalities for the Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda (which coincides with the UN’s 70th anniversary), to be held from 21 – 23 September 2015 to the President of the 69th Session, HE Sam Kutesa of Uganda. The work on the resolution was facilitated by HE Robert Guba Aisi, Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea and HE Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative of Denmark (see Organizational modalities for the September 2015 UN Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda). The one area on which agreement has not been reached and which remains in square brackets relates to its financing.

This draft resolution is important for civil society organizations as it sets out the modalities for their participation in the process.

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Invitation Sept 25: Celebrating 5 MILLION voices on MY World

You are cordially invited to Celebrating 5 million voices MY World Partner Recognition Event & Awards Ceremony

Speakers & Presenters

• Femi Oke, TV Presenter and Journalist (Master of Ceremonies)
  Representatives of UN Member States present at the UN General Assembly
• Amina J. Mohammed, Special Advisor of the UN Secretary-General on Post-2015
• Hon. Mr. Dullas Alahapperuma, Sri Lanka Cabinet Minister for Youth Affairs
• Richard Curtis, Founder of Comic Relief

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