European Union

Post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations
Means of implementation and the Global Partnership
23 July, New York
delivered by
Mr. Gaspar Frontini
DG DEVCO – European Commission

Co-facilitators,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.
Let me first reiterate that we welcome the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the draft that you have proposed for this section. The Addis outcome, which represents a careful compromise of all delegations, lives up to the transformative nature of the SDGs and will help all countries fulfil the ambition which these goals embody. It is a balanced outcome that sets out an ambitious action agenda to make sure all financial and non-financial means are scaled up to the global challenge of sustainable development, and rightly reflects the importance of gender equality as a means of implementation.
On the current draft for the section on Means of Implementation and the Global Partnership that we very much welcome, we have several comments. We welcome the full endorsement of the Addis outcome in paragraph 53. We believe this section should be strengthened by fully explaining, in para 53, that the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, to be annexed to the September outcome, is an integral part of the post-2015 agenda and, together with Goal 17 and the goal specific means of implementation targets set out under the individual goals, is fundamental to its effective delivery.
To make this point very clear we suggest adding that "The AAAA is an integral part of the new agenda. It is a crucial element of the Global Partnership and for the delivery of the SDGs and targets".
As stressed before we consider the Means of Implementation Goals and Targets of the Open Working Group proposal as a key element of the September package (with all the technical adjustments integrated), but believe that these must appear only once in the document. It may be either in Section 2 or Section 3 and we are open to discuss the placement. We look forward to seeing a proposal from the co-facilitators.
In addition, the Addis outcome and all MOI require an integrated follow-up and review in order to be effective and coherent. In this connection, we would suggest to clarify that the "full implementation of the new agenda requires an integrated process of follow up and review for both the AAAA and the SDGs and targets".
The MOI and Global Partnership section could also be strengthened further with a new, short paragraph at the beginning, which provides some introductory context for the Global Partnership and the Addis outcome, briefly outlining the nature of the Global Partnership, its key principles and the political importance of the Addis Agenda. Indeed, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference together with a new global partnership that reflects the paradigm shift to a universal, transformative and inclusive agenda. We would propose to add the following: "The implementation of this agenda will be driven forward by a new Global Partnership that should transform and strengthen the way in which the international community works together. It will be guided by the principles of universality, shared responsibility, mutual accountability, consideration of respective capabilities and a multi-stakeholder approach (including a safe and enabling environment for civil society)."
We welcome the agreement reached in Addis on science, technology and innovation (including the Technology Facilitation Mechanism), which should be reflected in this section.
Thank you.

Additional drafting suggestions for the additional introductory paragraph:
"Such a partnership should emphasise the primacy of national governments for their own sustainable development, supported by enabling actions by others where appropriate. Promoting human rights, equality (including gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls), non-discrimination, democratic institutions, good governance, rule of law, inclusiveness, environmental sustainability and respect for planetary boundaries are at the heart of the Global Partnership"