European Union

Post-2015 Intergovernmental Negotiations
17 February 2015

Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States
delivered by
Mr. Gustavo Martin Prada
Director EU Development Policy - DG DEVCO
European Commission


Co-facilitators,
Let me first thank you for your efforts. As we, and others, have called for during the stocktaking session, we need an inspiring, visionary and concise political declaration, which conveys the transformative nature of the new agenda and the shared values and principles on which it is based.
We are grateful for your 'elements paper' where you outline the possible contours of such a declaration. Keeping it both short and accessible will require cooperation from all. In our remarks today we will first address the structure and approach of your paper, and in turn offer a few comments on the substantial elements that we believe need to be prominent in the declaration.
On the structure and approach
There could be many ways to organize the declaration but we can work with the structure you propose, while being ready to envisage alternatives. What matters is that the declaration clearly and forcefully conveys our political determination to take forward a transformative agenda, which will guide policies and actions for poverty eradication and sustainable development for the next 15 years; the declaration needs to show the international community's resolve to fulfil the promise of the Millennium Declaration and Rio+20, completing and building on the unfinished business of the MDGs.

We agree that it is important to put forward upfront a strong and inspiring "collective vision", as you put it, which provides a narrative for the international community coming together – at a point when business as usual is not an option anymore – around an integrated agenda that will benefit all.

It will be important that the declaration is forward-looking and innovative, to fit with the innovative and integrated approach of the agenda itself.

We also agree that is important that the declaration clearly argues why we need this agenda by putting it into the context of the fundamental challenges and threats facing the world today, but also opportunities, and outlining the future we want for people and planet.

The declaration thus needs to set out both a common shared global vision and a common framework to work towards it, or "what we must do to get there", as you put it in your paper.

There we very much stress the importance of highlighting the transformative and universal nature of the agenda, explaining what it means, and outlining the paradigm shifts it implies.

Once our collective endeavour is defined, we believe it will be necessary for the declaration to move to the issue of "how we will do it", and there we very much agree that we need to stress the need for a new Global Partnership, based on the mobilisation of all actors and at all levels, to realise our collective vision.

From there we also agree with the importance to recognize the key role for follow-up, monitoring and review to ensure accountability, and to end the declaration with a clear call for action, stressing the need for scaled-up collective efforts and global solutions in an interdependent world.

We need to bear in mind that this declaration needs to speak to the people. It needs to be concise, clear and accessible, to facilitate engagement and mobilisation from all stakeholders. The declaration should contain key messages to galvanise collective action. It could possibly use the six essential elements put forward by the UNSG in his Synthesis Report to facilitate communication of the agenda.

To avoid diluting its impact, it will be important that the declaration remains focused. Therefore we would invite all to exercise restraint and avoid specific thematic proposals for the declaration, as the full scope of the agenda will be covered in the goals and targets.


On substance

The declaration needs to set out the purpose of the agenda – addressing the challenges of poverty eradication and sustainable development in its three dimensions – and stressing that these are deeply interrelated. A powerful way to describe our common vision and purpose could be to affirm upfront that we need to work towards sustainable development and eradication of poverty in all its dimensions, including ending extreme poverty in a single generation, and ensure sustainable and inclusive prosperity and well-being of all people within planetary boundaries.

The declaration needs to set out clearly that the objective is to leave no-one behind, sending a clear message that over the next 15 years we will ensure to reach the most disadvantage and vulnerable, including children. The declaration must be based on inclusiveness, rights-based approach, non-discrimination and good governance. It should make clear that targets need to be met for all relevant groups, including the poorest and most vulnerable.

The declaration needs to put emphasis on the universal values at the heart of the agenda – e.g. human rights, rule of law, democratic governance, respect for international law, peace, solidarity, dignity, equality, empowerment, respect for the environment. The message that this can only be achieved through an inclusive, integrated and rights-based approach encompassing all human rights needs to resonate clearly.–. Particular emphasis should be put on the human rights of women and girls, as well as on gender equality.

The declaration needs to stress our concern for both present and "future generations”, recognising that environmental sustainability is fundamental to ensuring the sustainable prosperity and well-being of all people within planetary boundaries.

The declaration also needs to send a strong message on climate change, and clearly state that neither poverty eradication nor sustainable development can be achieved without addressing climate change.

Co-facilitators,

As we noted throughout our discussions, the new Global Partnership we are calling for is about changing the way we do things together, mobilising all actors and all resources, at all levels. This means that national ownership and leadership are key drivers of implementation, and that a universal agenda calls for action by all, on the basis of shared responsibility.

We ought to overcome static and outdated divides and work to make a difference together, framing fair and appropriate commitments for all, while taking into account levels of development, national contexts and capacities and respecting national policies and priorities.
We noted your reference to the Rio Principles. We are of the opinion that CBDR as set out in Rio Principle 7 in 1992 cannot apply as an overarching principle to a holistic agenda. It does not integrate the idea of dynamic differentiation as stated in Rio 2012: depending on realities, capacities and levels of development of countries. Moreover, it is worth recalling that Rio principle 7 has a clear limitation to environmental degradation.
We think the declaration should stress that effective implementation requires effective and accountable governance and inclusive and participatory institutions, as well as an enabling and transparent policy environment, at all levels. Policy coherence will be important to integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development at all stages of domestic and international policy-making.

The declaration should emphasize that civil society, parliaments, local authorities and the private sector will have a key role to play in the implementation of the agenda.

The declaration should also recall the principle of mutual accountability, and give a clear and effective impetus for monitoring and review at global, regional and national level, cooperating and creating synergies with existing frameworks, including through a key oversight role for the HLPF.

Finally, we consider important to encourage ongoing work to make the UN development system more "fit for purpose" at headquarters as well as at country level which is important to achieve the new agenda.

We look forward our further discussions on these issues.