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Statement of
H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations
on behalf of the Arab Group on the intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
(New York, 18 May 2015)
(Translation from Arabic version)
PERMANENT MISSION OF TUNISIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
31 BEEKMAN PLACE
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022
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Distinguished Co-facilitators,
Let me at the outset congratulate you on behalf of the Arab Group and express our thanks and appreciation for your valuable efforts to assure the success of the process of intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
The Arab Group would also like to align itself to the statement made by the distinguished Representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Distinguished Co-facilitators,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the light of the main topic addressed by this round of intergovernmental negotiations: the Review and Follow-up of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the Arab Group would like to emphasize the importance of taking into consideration the following points:
First: The Arab Group reiterates the importance of full respect for national sovereignty and various religious, ethical, cultural and societal values of states and respect for all human rights, including the right to development and the promotion of the principles of good governance. Also it emphasizes the sovereign right of each state as primarily responsible for its economic and social development.
Second: The Arab Group stresses the importance of the issue of review and follow-up of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the importance that the review and follow-up mechanisms be effective, strong, inclusive and transparent to ensure successful achievement of the development goals of the post-2015.
The Arab Group also re-emphasizes what has been agreed upon at Rio + 20 regarding the role of the High-level Political Forum as a review and follow up mechanism on progress made in the implementation of the commitments concerning the application of the concept of sustainable development, which was later adopted by United Nations General Assembly Resolution A / Res / 67/290, entitled "Format and organizational aspects of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development".
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Third, The Group stresses that the deliberations within the framework of the intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, have highlighted the need to address ways the High-level Political Forum could fulfill its mission to follow up sustainable development commitments. The Group views the need to deal with the current deficit in the work of the Forum, and work to enable it to take action on receiving, issuing reports and making decisions.
Fourth: The Group confirms its previous position, put forward in previous sessions, affirming the independence of both Financing for Development and intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda tracks, while recognizing the existence of convergence between them.
The Group does not agree with the propositions on the integration of the results of the Third Conference on Financing for Development in the chapter on the means of implementation within the framework of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
In this regard, the Arab Group underlines the need to reach a balanced document in the Addis Ababa Conference, which does not include proactive recommendations for topics and agendas being discussed under other processes.
The Group also re-emphasizes its position on the establishment of a universal intergovernmental distinct and independent commission for the review and follow-up of the financing for development commitments, while undertaking consideration of the results of the review and follow up process during the meetings of the High-level Political Forum. This model is to be repeated with other follow-up and review mechanisms established to follow up the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and environmental areas.
Fifth: The Arab Group appreciates the efforts of the Co-facilitators to prepare the paper submitted on the framework of follow-up and review. The Group stresses in this regard the importance of taking into account the following:
- The structure of the paper should focus on what will be agreed upon in the framework of intergovernmental negotiations on Post-2015 Development Agenda on the principles of follow-up and review at the global level,
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including addressing methods and means of the work of the High-level Political Forum in the implementation of his mission as set out in resolution A/RES / 67 / 290.
- The review and follow-up at the national level should be guided by global principles, but appropriate political space should be left to the states at the national level to take the necessary measures with the view to prepare the review and follow-up arrangements, which must include the participation of stakeholders, while respecting national rules and laws. Attention also should be paid to the needs of developing countries with respect to national capacity-building in this field.
- The review and follow-up at the regional level should take into account existing monitoring and review mechanisms, thus regional organizations and their members have the freedom to decide on the use of what will be agreed upon in the framework of intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda on the follow-up and review to develop or modify the existing regional mechanisms , based on Peer Learning, while the economic commissions should provide the necessary technical support for regional organizations in this regard.
The Arab Group also believes that the global framework for follow-up and review should include the following:
A. Follow-up and review process should be voluntary, State-led , ensure the participation of high-level officials, and stakeholders, cover the activities of the United Nations system and stakeholders with regard to the implementation of sustainable development goals, and focus on the assessment of progress, achievements and challenges faced by developed and developing countries .
B. The importance for the process to take place in a constructive spirit, and provide guidance and incentives for the participating countries, such as the exchange of experiences and best practices, providing policy advice and means of implementation, including capacity building, financing and technology transfer.
C. It should take into account the different situations and positions and levels of development between countries, and respect the national policies and priorities, with the provision of the appropriate political space at the national level.
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D. The follow-up and review process at the regional level must be addressed through regional organizations and its membership, to discuss how to promote and develop existing regional review mechanisms for the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
G. It should insure follow-up on all sustainable development goals and targets, including target 17.
Finally, the Arab Group would like to assure you once again of its readiness to continue its constructive contribution to the success of the intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Thank you for your attention.
