European Union
Post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations
Follow-up and review session
Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States
18 May 2015
delivered by
Mr. Americo Beviglia Zampetti
Head of the Economic Section
Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations
Co-facilitators,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.
We would like to thank you for circulating the useful discussion paper on follow-up and review. Today we would like to focus on the core elements for the monitoring accountability and review framework. We will come back with more details on the various components during the week.
1. We believe that the success of the post-2015 agenda depends on countries working together and upholding their commitments. A solid, comprehensive, efficient and effective approach to monitoring accountability and review (MAR) will be crucial in order to assess progress and ensure effective implementation of the post 2015 agenda.
2. Important building blocks of a MAR framework for the post 2015 agenda are set out in the resolutions on the strengthening of ECOSOC, on the establishment of the HLPF, and in the Rio outcome document. A significant input was made by the Secretary-General in his Synthesis Report.
3. The concept of monitoring, accountability and review is not new, and was already an important feature of the MDGs framework. Many potential targets in the post 2015 agenda are already addressed by legally binding accountability mechanisms under existing treaty bodies. There are also existing monitoring frameworks which could contribute to monitoring of specific issues. The MAR for the post 2015 agenda should seek to build on and improve these existing mechanisms, rather than set up parallel processes.
4. Effective monitoring, accountability and review, including data disaggregation and statistics, are beneficial for all and at the heart of leaving no one behind. We are designing a universal agenda and this must be underpinned by universal monitoring, accountability and review. However, it is each country's responsibility to ensure systems are in place for, and to undertake monitoring, accountability and review at the national level, in the most appropriate way.
5. The framework should thus combine national ownership for the implementation of the commitments with an inclusive an effective monitoring, accountability and review of the agenda at all levels.
6. Within this context we see the main purpose of MAR indeed to monitor and collectively review progress towards the universal post-2015 agenda globally, regionally and nationally. By identifying gaps and difficulties the MAR framework will enable more targeted provision of supporting measures (from domestic and international sources) to "get back on track". The objective is not to rate countries against each other or to finger-point; but rather to foster exchange of best practices and mutual learning in order to overcome shared challenges; and to provide political and leadership focus to motivate and incentivize further action at all levels. A strong MAR framework will help countries maximise their progress in relation to their own starting point. It will also enable us to identify new and emerging issues and increase the credibility of our commitments.
7. We believe there should be one overarching MAR framework for the whole post 2015 agenda (including the means of implementation pillar to be agreed at the Addis Conference) covering all aspects of the sustainable development goals and targets, and all means of implementation (financial and non-financial), in a comprehensive fashion. Specialised input on the different components should, also, be taken into consideration as appropriate.
8. Addis should consider the key issue of monitoring, accountability and review for MoI. However, the outcome from these deliberations will need to be merged into a comprehensive post-2015 monitoring, review and accountability framework with a key oversight role for the HLPF and avoiding duplication of existing mechanisms.
9. We therefore see no need, as we noted last week, to request the Secretary-General to convene a new inter-agency Task Force as put forward in the Addis draft. We are equally not convinced that the most effective way of keeping implementation issues under review is to foresee a FfD follow-up conference. Instead, the priority must be to streamline and clarify the roles and functions of existing fora in the post-2015 framework, and to strengthen cooperation between existing bodies as appropriate.
10. Consideration should be given to reporting of financial MoI including domestic resource mobilisation through existing channels (DCF under ECOSOC, OECD-DAC, GPEDC and others) and how financial flows not covered by these could be accounted for. Further consideration should be given how to monitor non-financial MoI.
11. As pointed out in the UNSG's Synthesis Report, the new agenda involves a new type of accountability with a contract between people, including civil society, social partners, and the private sector, and governments. It is crucial for the framework's effectiveness that it adopts an inclusive and transparent approach, involving all stakeholders. Mutual accountability at all levels forms one of the guiding principles for the global partnership for the post-2015 agenda.
12. The MAR framework should be a multi-level one operating at local, national, regional and international level in an integrated manner ensuring mutual support and consistency between them without duplicating effort. It should build on relevant existing frameworks, rigorous indicators and sources of reliable, timely information wherever possible, and make use of all relevant analysis and reports that are produced within the UN system and other relevant international and regional bodies. Reports from civil society organisations and other national stakeholders should be encouraged at all levels.
It will be also essential to assess the contribution of the private sector, including socially responsible enterprises and investors, and public-private partnerships to the implementation of the agenda at all levels.
13. We should use the lessons from the MDGs process to inform how to build a robust and inclusive monitoring, accountability and review framework, while acknowledging the differences between the MDGs and the new agenda. Experiences from the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, Agenda 21 and others may also be useful.
Co-facilitators,
The EU and its Member States stand ready to fully participate in MAR processes at national, regional and global levels, and we encourage others to do so as well.
Thank you.
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