Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

Informal Consultations on the Follow-up and Review of the 2030 Agenda at the Global Level
Trusteeship Council
12 May 2016
Remarks Prepared by
Tanya Kar, Program Manager for United Nations Engagement
International Chamber of Commerce

CO-FACILITATORS,
My name is Tanya Kar and I am the Program Manager for UN Engagement for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and help to coordinate the Global Business Alliance for 2030. I am pleased to provide commentary to the Zero Draft Resolution of the Follow-up and Review of the 2030 Agenda.

The Global Business Alliance (GBA) for 2030 is a global business alliance encompassing the views of global, regional, national, and sectoral business organizations and associations, as well as companies from multinational corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises around the world with a shared vision that market-based solutions are essential for sustainability. The GBA serves as the interlocutor for business at the United Nations on intergovernmental processes related to the successful realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As an engine of economic growth and job creation, a driver of innovation, and a builder of infrastructure, business will play a critical role in addressing development challenges and accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all countries. Through the ICC and the GBA, business is committed to participating at the HLPF in order to report on business progress in implementation of the SDGs.

Regarding the Zero Draft of 6 May, we support the inclusion of all twenty-two paragraphs. In particular, we support paragraph four and the proposed themes and clustering of goals. However, in prior consultations, business expressed the view that the highest priority for the HLPF should be the annual review of progress of the goals of the 2030 Agenda. It is these SDGs that form the bedrock of the 2030 Agenda, and an overarching theme should be articulated as a lens through which they are reviewed as mentioned in paragraph two.

Furthermore, we support paragraph eleven which reaffirms that adequate time should be devoted to the discussion of sustainable development challenges of countries in special situations.
Paragraphs twelve and fourteen refer to participation of Major Groups and other Stakeholders. We support these paragraphs, however, in paragraph fourteen, the resolution could also include a specific provision for civil society and private sector to be allocated time during or at the HLPF to report on their commitments to implement the SDGs as part of their contribution to follow-up and review. Seats at the HLPF could be allocated to Civil Society and Private Sector for this purpose.

Finally, business supports the recommendation that the Secretary-General be requested to review the organization of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in order to ensure that the Department can effectively provide support to the HLPF.

Thank You.