Follow-up and Review – Statement by Canada – 29 July 2015
Canada thanks the co-facilitators for the revised version of the Chapter on Follow-up and Review.
Overall, we believe that this chapter is rounding into shape nicely. The current draft provides the appropriate level of detail, considering the ambition and complexity of our Agenda, without being overly prescriptive.
We appreciate the efforts made to add a number of issues that needed to be further explained so that the UN system is clear about upcoming key decision points and milestones necessary to sort out the outstanding issues associated with key functions and working methods of follow-up and review.
We strongly support the addition of a cluster of principles regarding gender, human rights and a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable. We are also pleased with the addition of important principles relating to capacity building and strengthening national data systems for developing countries. These were requested by many delegations and remain high priorities for Canada.
So, we thank you for synthesizing so diligently the many requests received late last week, and with these amendments, it our view that this Chapter is close to its final form.
That said, we have several remaining issues to raise, and associated suggestions:
- We would recommend that paragraphs 42 and 43 dealing with Follow-up and Review be removed from the Declaration, as they do not add value and are repetitive in substance. We could simply make a reference to follow-up and review in paragraph 18, to read: ‘’[…] It (referring to the framework) also crucially, defines means of implementation [ADD: and follow-up and review […]’’;
- We would recommend that paragraph 79 be amended to ensure that (1) it the integrity of the global indicator framework is preserved. To that end, we would request that the end of the first sentence reads : ‘’[…] with the UN System, based on the global indicator framework, and data produced by national statistical systems, and information compiled at regional level reviews. The second amendment that we are proposing in this paragraph is to ensure that it does not imply the reopening of agreed modalities for the HLPF. The last sentence should read: […] We encourage the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, to agree tThe scope and methodology of this report should be completed in time for the HLPF at its session in 2016.
- We note the insertion of the expression ‘’policy space’’ in 3 instances in this Chapter. We would question the rationale for so many references to this phraseology, which have been used in Addis in a different context, but does not enjoy common understanding. We would recommend to use more generic and consistent language such as ‘’national policies’’, as recommended previously for paragraph 45, among others.
- In paragraph 71 on indicators, we would recommend that the second sentence be slightly amended as follows: ‘’[…] These will be complemented by indicators at the regional and national levels which will be developed by member states, as appropriate.’’ This is to reflect the different circumstances of countries with regards to the development of indicators.
- In paragraph 84, we welcome the general call for system wide coherence. However, when it comes to reporting, the paragraph is too prescriptive, precludes the outcomes of important discussions to come, and might lead to duplication of reporting. We would request removing the sentence ‘’[…] This reporting should be included in the SDG Report.’’
- [We also think that the subsequent sentence regarding the ECOSOC dialogues on repositioning the UN Development System is a different subject, and should be captured in a separate paragraph].
- Paragraph 87 is a good addition, but should be formulated in an unambiguous way with regards to the role of member states, as well as the mandates of the UN system. We therefore would suggest: “To promote the full realization of the Agenda, we call on the GA, ECOSOC, and their subsidiary bodies, as well as on the specialized agencies to take all the necessary measures to support the effective, comprehensive and timely implementation, follow-up and review of the Agenda, [ADD: within existing mandates]. ‘’
Again, we believe that we are very close to finalizing this chapter, and we stand ready to constructively engage with all delegations to work towards that end.
