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PRESENTATION ON THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA. BRIEFING TO THE PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION 26 AUGUST 2015. INTRODUCTION.
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PRESENTATION ON THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA BRIEFING TO THE PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION 26 AUGUST 2015
INTRODUCTION The 2015 General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA70) is taking place in the context of a number of landmark milestones, which include the: (i) 70th anniversary of the United Nations; (ii) 70th anniversary of the end of the 2nd world war; (iii) 70th anniversary of the use of the nuclear bomb; (iv) 20th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action; (v) 15th anniversary of resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; (vi) 20th anniversary of the World Summit for Social Develop; (vi) Target date for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
INTRODUCTION • The year 2015 has also been a year in which a number of significant development processes have been taking place. This includes the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda; the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which took place in Addis Ababa in July; as well as the Paris Climate Change meeting later this year. • The President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark, has decided that the theme for the General Assembly for UNGA70 should be: “The United Nations at 70: the Road ahead for Peace, Security and Human Rights”.
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs) • In 2000, the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set key targets for development and were key in forging a global cooperation framework for development. • Not all the targets will be reached. The achievement of the MDG’s has been uneven and most often, it has been the poorest and those most marginalised and discriminated against who have seen the least progress. The financial and economic crises, volatile energy, commodities and food prices, climate change, loss of biodiversity and inequalities have also severely hampered the reaching of these targets.
POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA • Various Secretariat driven processes: • Secretariat/UN Agencies consultations. • Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel. • September 2013 Special Event: • Member-state driven. • Co-facilitated by South Africa and Ireland. • 3-fold purpose – evaluate implementation of the MDGs, accelerate progress and develop a roadmap for the post-2015 development agenda.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS • Intergovernmental began in January 2015 to negotiate the post-2015 development agenda. • Co-facilitated process (Kenya & Ireland). • Outcome document, titled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” adopted by member states on 2 August 2015. • The outcome document will be presented at a Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda that will be held from 25-27 September 2015 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This Summit precedes the General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.
OUTCOME DOCUMENT • At the heart of the outcome document is the set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets that had been part of the Report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and which was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in September 2014. • These SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals and also reflects South Africa’s own National Development Plan.
KEY ELEMENTS • The 17 SDGs (which includes goals covering all three dimensions of sustainable development and that range from: ending poverty; ensuring healthy lives; ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education; achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls; conserving and sustainably using the oceans; and addressing climate change); • A political commitment to (i) end poverty and hunger everywhere; (ii) combat inequalities within and among countries; (iii) build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; (iv) protect human rights and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; and (v) ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.
KEY ELEMENTS • Importantly (and reflecting aspects of South Africa’s own triple challenges), there is a commitment to “create conditions for sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and decent work for all, taking into account different levels of national development and capacities”. • A recognition that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge; and that the eradication of poverty is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
KEY ELEMENTS • A recognition that while the goals are applicable to both developed and developing countries, acknowledging the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities that takes into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. • A commitment to a Global Partnership to ensure the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda and noting that the means of implementation targets under Goal 17 and under each SDG are key to realising the Agenda.
KEY ELEMENTS • A recognition that the implementation of the SDGs will be “supported” by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which was the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development. • A commitment to establish a process for the follow-up and review (at the national, regional and global levels) of the progress made in implementing the Goals and Targets over the next 15 years with the High-Level Political Forum of the ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council of the United Nations) having the central role in overseeing follow-up and review at the global level.
SA ROLE • South Africa played a key role throughout the process of negotiating and finalising the post-2015 development agenda. • It was through South Africa’s efforts as a co-facilitator of the 2013 UN General Assembly Special Event on the MDGs, that the negotiations took place through an open, transparent, member state driven process.
SA ROLE • South Africa also proposed and supported the appointment of Ambassador Macharia Kamau, as the co-facilitator of the intergovernmental negotiations. This was based on his experience and success in co-facilitating the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. Ambassador Kamau was key in pursing the interests of developing countries during the negotiations. • As Chair of the G77 and China, South Africa was able to lead and guide the interests of developing countries, particularly during the final leg of negotiations.
THE WAY FORWARD • The focus should now move to ensuring that over the next 15 years, we work together nationally, regionally and globally to deliver on sustainable development by focusing on the means implementation of the goals and targets. • Regarding accountability, South Africa and Africa already has established mechanisms in place to follow-up and review our implementation. A proliferation of accountability mechanisms which exhausts the limited resources of developing countries should be resisted.
THE WAY FORWARD • The means of implementation, including financial assistance through continued Official Development Assistance (ODA) remains vital. Developed countries must honour their historic obligations and responsibilities, as part of the commitments made in the context of the global partnership for development, which itself also needs to be expanded and strengthened.
