Intervention by Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Director General (UN), at the Intergovernmental Negotiation on the Post 2015 Development Agenda,
New York, 23 June 2015
Let me begin by congratulating both of you, Mr. Co-facilitators, for producing the zero draft. The draft reflects the discussion we had over the past few months. It is concise and succinct, and conforms to the thrust of the post 2015 discussions and the SDG framework. It has aspirational and communicational elements. In that way, we consider the draft as a very good basis for our negotiation. However, like my other colleagues, we also have some observations that we would like to see addressed in the next version of the draft.
First of all, the title of the document. The title should reflect the content of the text. As we are discussing sustainable development here, it should be ‘a new sustainable development agenda for global action’. The Preamble, as included in the zero draft, is not necessary. The points have already been made by a vast majority of speakers who spoke on the issue. As for the declaratory part, we consider this very important as it sets the tone for global action enumerated in the subsequent parts of the document. Here, we mean the SDGs with commensurating means of implementation. As many have already said the declaration should be aspirational in nature conveying political commitment. At the same time, the declaration should be meaningful and focused. On this account, the current text includes many important elements, consistent with our discussions in inter-governmental settings. The main thrust of the Declaration on poverty eradication in its entirety is particularly appreciable. This part also includes many well regarded principles like right to development, which we would like to see maintained in the subsequent versions. No doubt, there is a scope of further improvement.
We have observed that the content does not reflect the three pillars of sustainable development in a balanced manner. We see the economic pillar relatively weak in the present text, which needs to be strengthened. Focused attention to the countries in especial situations, particularly LDCs is critical. We will not be able to achieve sustainable development objectives without fulfilling the priorities and taking care of the concerns of LDCs.
On the issue of migration, we have heard overwhelming number of speakers expressing concern the way migration is currently captured in the text. We strongly suggest deletion of the wordings " and a growing migration challenge" in para 12 . We join those delegations who have suggested reflecting it in a positive tone that we fully support. It is well established that migration contributes significantly to the development of both countries of origin and countries of destination. We would insist on a standalone paragraph crafted with a positive tone considering the importance of migration in development. The language could be like:
"We recognize the contribution migrants make to inclusive growth and sustainable development and we will make efforts to enable orderly, safe, and regular migration and mobility, while protecting the rights of all migrants. "
Also we would like to add "migratory status" in para 22.
Mr. Co-Chairs,
We are happy that SDG framework has been incorporated in the zero draft as it is, without any change. However, we do not understand why the Chapeau of the SDG report has been kept aside and added merely as an annex. Many speakers have expressed the same concern. It should be brought back to the original place i.e. at the beginning of goals and targets. We are also happy that both general and goal specific MOIs have been included in the current text. However, place holding for FFD outcome is not in order in our view, as we consider the two processes are complementary, not substitute for each other.
Finally, Mr. Co-facilitators, the importance of national parliaments in the context of sustainable development agenda cannot be over emphasized. They have a critical role in providing legislative coverage, resource allocation and oversight. As such, the role of parliaments needs to be highlighted through appropriate language in the text. My delegation will propose a standalone paragraph on this as we take up specific parts of the draft for discussions. The language we would like to propose is:
"We take note of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, held at UN Headquarters in the lead up to our Summit. We acknowledge the essential role of national parliaments in providing ownership to the sustainable development goals, enacting legislation and adopting budgets thereof and ensuring accountability for the effective implementation of our commitments. We pledge to work closely with our national parliaments and with the Inter-Parliamentary Union in furthering the achievement of our transformative Agenda."
We have some other drafting suggestions on the declaration, which are as follows:
The paragraph 8 of the proposed Declaration, which talks about MDGs should be lifted up the order as we would like to start a new development framework learning lessons from MDG achievements. Also the word ‘off-track’ may be replaced by ‘unfinished’, which is commonly used in UN language.
On para 20, when we list the countries of special situations, long established sequence has not been followed. We would request to rearrange the order having LDCs at the beginning following UN practice.
With these few words, I conclude my general remarks and we look forward to make further suggestions as we move along.
I thank you.
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