European Union
Post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations
Initial set of specific comments on Declaration
20-21 July, New York
We suggest that the title should fully reflect the ambition and objectives of the agenda, and possibly be more inspiring than it currently is. It should include a reference to the overarching objectives of poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Preamble
• The EU insists on the importance of keeping an integrated approach, both in the preamble and in the "new agenda" section. While the 5 Ps can be a useful means to communicate the agenda through a few concise overarching messages, it is important to ensure that these reflect the integration and balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development, and the interlinkages across goals and targets. It is important to state upfront that the Ps are interlinked, and to illustrate this in the text explaining each P. There are several SDGs where the issues of access/poverty ("people"), prosperity and sustainability ("planet") are particularly balanced – by means of example, food/agriculture, water, energy are very relevant to the various "Ps". This is the transformative strength of SDGs and should not be lost.
• Therefore the preamble needs a very clear message on the fact that the 5Ps have to be addressed together, and that SDGs contribute to all of them, as they reinforce each other. We would be open to consider ways to sharpen the Ps to make them more action-oriented.
• Overall, there seems to be limited reference to the role of the people and other actors in society in the implementation of the agenda. The partnership evoked in this section of the document should not only refer to countries. Reference to the role of democratic institutions and participatory governance should be made more explicit.
• It would be preferable to give a more active title to this key section, e.g. “our common pledge”
• we would like to see the inclusion and strengthening of elements such as planetary boundaries; sustainable use of natural resources; gender equality, good governance, rule of law, justice, full language on human rights (respect, protect and fulfill), and democratic, effective and accountable institutions.
Introduction
• Crucial to set out the overarching objectives of the agenda upfront in §1and in §3:
o §1 should read “…have decided today a on a new global agenda to achieve poverty eradication and sustainable development by 2030 for humanity and for our planet. We recognise that these can only be achieved together”.
o In § 1 would request to use the same language as in Rio+20 Outcome “We, the heads of State and Government and high level representatives, having met ..., with full participation of civil society, ... ".
o §3: the first sentence should be followed by another sentence clearly setting out that the agenda will address the three dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced and integrated manner.
In §3 we welcome the reference to eradicating extreme poverty. We believe that a reference to ending poverty in all its forms is also needed. We miss references to gender equality and human rights, decent work, and responding to the challenges and effects of climate change. References to protecting the planet would be better phrased as protecting ecosystems and managing their goods and services sustainably.
• Good elements in §5 but lacks clear narrative. Ideas should be better developed, and possibly split in different paragraphs.
o Reiterate our earlier statement that universality is fundamental, and ought to be given more emphasis. Strongly suggest reformulation: “This is a universal agenda which transcends the traditional North/South divide, and involves the entire world, rich and poor countries alike. It is accepted by all countries and applicable to all, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development, and respecting national policies and priorities. The Agenda requires commitment from all: we have a shared responsibility to make a difference together.”
o There can be a specific paragraph “This compact (…) 2014” on the inclusive process.
o The last sentence of current §5 “The goals (…) environmental” is crucial and should be moved up to §1, 2 or 3.
Our vision
• Welcome the fact that this “vision” has been further developed and rebalanced. Overall going in right direction, though some amendments might still be needed, e.g. adding a reference to decent work.
• Concerned by the addition in §8 of “respect for race, ethnicity and cultural values”. First, we believe we should rather refer “respect for cultural diversity”. Most importantly we disagree with the addition of “cultural values” and request deletion.
• In §8 need to reformulate: “a gender equal world where all legal, social and economic barriers to women and girls’ empowerment have been removed in our societies”. Could also add good governance.
• Welcome the inclusion of §9, but some adjustments might improve clarity of the second and third sentence (e.g. regarding references to climate-sensitive/resilient, also living species include wildlife) and a reference to planetary boundaries should be added.
• It is important that the vision also conveys a short message on the “how”, i.e. the new global partnership.
Our shared principles
• Reiterate very serious concerns with §10 as it stands:
o Sentence should read: “We reaffirm all the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the values and principles enshrined in the Millennium Declaration”.
o On right to development, request reformulation based on Rio+20 §8: “We reaffirm the importance of freedom, peace and security, respect for all human rights including the right to development”. The additional reference in §30 is not necessary.
Our world today
• Welcome the restructuring of this section, and new paragraph on opportunities.
• In §11 on the challenges, would like to see some amendments, and notably the inclusion of: pervasive gender inequalities; erosion of the rule of law; disasters; global health threats; population dynamics; marine and terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem loss and pollution.
• §12 could conclude more explicitly that we now have the human, economic and technological means to eradicate extreme poverty within a generation and set the world on the path to sustainable development.
• Welcome the thrust of §14 though might need some minor textual amendments (e.g. reintroduction of "better governed" before inclusive societies and of “shall ensure” in §23). The last sentence would be better placed in the preamble, to counterbalance the problem of silos.
• §16: need to be consistent “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth”. Largely duplicative with last sentence 14 and end of 3.
The new agenda
This section should be based on a clear understanding on what is really sought and the best approach for this purpose, before engaging into adding detailed elements. A key priority is for that section to be focused and balanced, having regard to the breadth of the SDGs, avoiding the risk of selective quoting.
The key messages to communicate the agenda should be reflected in a conceptually consistent manner throughout the outcome document. This will help make the rationale of the content of the section "the new agenda" clearer. Some issues are currently addressed in great detail, probably beyond what a Declaration requires - whereas other key themes are absent (e.g. no references in this whole section at all to poverty, food/hunger, inequalities, water, energy, innovation, etc). We need to avoid the risk of going down into selective quotes of just a few elements from the SDGs, without a clear rationale. It is also important to reflect aspects of integration: for instance "prosperity" should be associated with sustainable patterns, as it is in the Preamble. We also want to avoid proliferation of new paragraphs.
• A more balanced approach keeping in mind the short list of overarching messages can also help to contain the risk that the paras on substance in the "new agenda" keep expanding in number, and/or engaging deeper down at the level of targets. Both things have however happened in the revised version. The main priority now is not adding details (e.g. sport in § 31, which is over generous in its description), but avoiding clear gaps and exercising restraint in the descriptions.
• We also consider the reference to policy space for economic growth in §20 to be unclear and thus better removed; in §30 we would suggest adding "democratic" before "effectiveand accountable institutions" , in § 25 we are missing references to “sustainable” in connection with productivity, agricultural and industrial development, transport and energy systems.
• §27 on climate change can still be reinforced, possibly by mentioning the 2°C target.
• In §31 we believe we need a better balance between culture and sport. We reaffirm the role of culture as driver and enabler of sustainable development.
Implementation
• We are disappointed that very few of the EU points made in the last session have been reflected. Significant amendments are needed:
o In §33, we would like to see a very clear affirmation that the Addis outcome is both integral and fundamental to post-2015 implementation.
o Across the section, concerned by the persisting imbalance and limited approach that is not commensurate with the transformative and universal aspiration of the agenda. Need much more emphasis on the central place of domestic action and policies role of transparent, policy coherence, non-financial means of implementation; capable, accountable, responsive and inclusive institutions and good governance; international public finance beyond ODA; and role of the domestic and international private sector, and innovative finance.
o This section should outline and appropriately reflect the key principles of the new Global Partnership including in §40 (e.g. universality and shared responsibility, national ownership, appropriate commitments for all, breadth and coherence of policies, good governance, multi-stakeholder approach) and note that a comprehensive set of MoI have been agreed.
• We note that references to additional country groups have been added in §34, §36, §39 and §43. We will need to review these to check that they are relevant and appropriate, and will need to add references to fragile states.
• In § 35 the last sentence should instead of emphasising the value of science policy for environmental governance, stress its importance for review and implementation of the agenda in general.
• We support the inclusion of §37 on migration, broadly called for during the last IGN. We would also welcome an explicit reference to the contribution of well-managed migration and migrants as an enabler to inclusive growth and sustainable development. We would also need a reference to the challenges e.g. by adding “ including the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking, in particular by combating criminal networks"
• We however do not believe the new §38 on family has its place in this section, nor does it reflect a priority previously discussed and agreed. § 38 should be deleted from this section- the new reference to families in §23 is more relevant, and should suffice.
• Do not support reference to policy space in §39.
• §40 - need to retain consistency with the preamble which state we want to create a new Global Partnership for Sustainable Development which is more than “revitalising” an existing one. This paragraph could possibly come at the beginning of this section.
Follow-up and review
• §42 should set out the importance of follow-up and review as an essential cornerstone of the agenda. It should also clearly set out its purpose and the importance of engagement of all stakeholders, for now the § is only talking about governments: to do so it could build on §56, while also including the crucial element of monitoring.
• There should be a clear message on the overarching follow-up and review framework integrating the Addis outcome and considering implementation in its entirety.
A call for action to change our world
• In §44, should read “fashioned this Organization and affirmed the values of peace, human rights, dialogue and international cooperation”.
• Language in §45 contradicts the notion of universality. Should read: “We have resolved to build a better future for all the people of our world, in particular the millions who have been denied the chance to lead…”. "Last chance to save the world" is unjustified doomsday thinking.
Stakeholders