Korea
Statement by Ambassador Sul Kyung-hoon
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
2nd formal meeting of SDGs Open Working Group
Wednesay, 17 April 2013, New York
Mr. Co-chair,
At the outset, I would like to thank you for organizing this 2nd meeting
of the SDG Open Working Group (OWG) in an efficient manner.
Mr. Co-chair,
As we begin our substantive discussion on the conceptual issues of the
SDGs, my delegation would like to reemphasize that Rio+20 Outcome
Document should serve as our guiding principle.
The Rio+20 Outcome Document provided us with clear guidelines for
the conceptualization of the SDGs. Among others, it states that the SDGs
should be global in nature and universally applicable to all countries
while taking into account different national realities, capacities and
levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. It
also states that the SDGs should address and incorporate in a balanced
way all three dimensions of sustainable development and their interlinkages.
Mr. Co-chair,
We also believe that the SDGs should draw on the lessons learned from
the MDGs. In this regard, we particularly appreciate the very
informative analysis by the Technical Support Team on the MDGs’
strengths and weaknesses as provided in the issue brief. While we agree
with most of the analysis, we would like to highlight some areas for
consideration related to our MDG stocktaking.
First, we wish to note that the MDGs’ weaknesses also serve as their
strengths, and vice-versa. For example, the MDGs were criticized for
lacking specific means and actions of implementation; such lack of
specifics, however, allowed for policy space. On the other hand, the
MDGs’ simple and concise structure allowed them to be clear and easily
communicable. As we take stock of the MDGs experience, it would be
useful if we are cognizant of and to carefully evaluate such trade-offs.
Second, the MDGs are said to overlooked structural determinants of
development and economic growth. In this respect, we are of the view
that the SDGs need to reflect the role of economic growth and structural
transformation in poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Thirdly, we believe that the SDGs should reflect concerns related to
violence and conflict-affected countries. Special consideration should be
given to fragile states along with other countries in special
circumstances, such as SIDs, LDCs, and LLDCs.
Fourthly, the SDGs should build on existing framework and broaden
forms of international cooperation, to effectively address new global
challenges and respond to changing development landscape.
Mr. Co-chair,
With this in mind, let me provide some observations regarding our way
forward.
First, in considering the framework for the SDGs, we believe that the
SDGs could consist of both “stated development outcomes” and “drivers
of change” or “processes”. Outcome-focused goals are easily
communicable and have the capacity to mobilize. However, we also
recognize different circumstances that each country faces. In these areas,
“drivers of change” could serve as more effective or relevant goals.
Second, we note that it may be difficult to find priorities that are relevant
for all countries. Choosing goals that could serve as priority areas for
different set of countries may result in having an overly large set of
goals which are not universal. As such, it would be best to formulate
goals that sufficiently broadly cover most of the countries but allow
differentiation in targets and indicators by country. In this regard, we
would like to note that crafting differentiated targets would require
delicate precision based on science-based data and information.
Third, with regards to means of implementation (MOI), we believe
including MOIs as part of each and every SDG would not only be a
problematic and extremely difficult exercise. It could also run the risk of
“aggregation problem”. At a minimum, MOIs should be consistent with
commitments that countries have already made in other fora.
Fourth, without doubt, balancing and integrating the three dimensions of
sustainable development in a single set of development goals will be a
highly challenging work. We therefore believe it would be best to
integrate the social, economic and environmental dimensions within
each SDG, wherever possible, such as for a goal on “sustainable energy
for all”. Where this exercise cannot be done, or is not appropriate, we
can compile a set or cluster of SDGs that each addresses different
dimensions of sustainable development.
Finally, the Rio+20 Outcome Document indicated that SDGs are only a
tool to help the world move towards poverty eradication and long-term
sustainability. Achieving sustainable development requires a paradigm
shift of economies and societies, including fundamental changes in
production and consumption patterns. In this, we would like to
emphasize the important role that inclusive green economy can play in
the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Mr. Co-Chair,
As you mentioned in the morning, we are now entering into uncharted
road. In this regard, we sincerely hope that under your able leadership,
diverse ideas and new thinking will be more actively encouraged,
exchanged and explored in the course of our work.
Thank you.
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
2nd formal meeting of SDGs Open Working Group
Wednesay, 17 April 2013, New York
Mr. Co-chair,
At the outset, I would like to thank you for organizing this 2nd meeting
of the SDG Open Working Group (OWG) in an efficient manner.
Mr. Co-chair,
As we begin our substantive discussion on the conceptual issues of the
SDGs, my delegation would like to reemphasize that Rio+20 Outcome
Document should serve as our guiding principle.
The Rio+20 Outcome Document provided us with clear guidelines for
the conceptualization of the SDGs. Among others, it states that the SDGs
should be global in nature and universally applicable to all countries
while taking into account different national realities, capacities and
levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. It
also states that the SDGs should address and incorporate in a balanced
way all three dimensions of sustainable development and their interlinkages.
Mr. Co-chair,
We also believe that the SDGs should draw on the lessons learned from
the MDGs. In this regard, we particularly appreciate the very
informative analysis by the Technical Support Team on the MDGs’
strengths and weaknesses as provided in the issue brief. While we agree
with most of the analysis, we would like to highlight some areas for
consideration related to our MDG stocktaking.
First, we wish to note that the MDGs’ weaknesses also serve as their
strengths, and vice-versa. For example, the MDGs were criticized for
lacking specific means and actions of implementation; such lack of
specifics, however, allowed for policy space. On the other hand, the
MDGs’ simple and concise structure allowed them to be clear and easily
communicable. As we take stock of the MDGs experience, it would be
useful if we are cognizant of and to carefully evaluate such trade-offs.
Second, the MDGs are said to overlooked structural determinants of
development and economic growth. In this respect, we are of the view
that the SDGs need to reflect the role of economic growth and structural
transformation in poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Thirdly, we believe that the SDGs should reflect concerns related to
violence and conflict-affected countries. Special consideration should be
given to fragile states along with other countries in special
circumstances, such as SIDs, LDCs, and LLDCs.
Fourthly, the SDGs should build on existing framework and broaden
forms of international cooperation, to effectively address new global
challenges and respond to changing development landscape.
Mr. Co-chair,
With this in mind, let me provide some observations regarding our way
forward.
First, in considering the framework for the SDGs, we believe that the
SDGs could consist of both “stated development outcomes” and “drivers
of change” or “processes”. Outcome-focused goals are easily
communicable and have the capacity to mobilize. However, we also
recognize different circumstances that each country faces. In these areas,
“drivers of change” could serve as more effective or relevant goals.
Second, we note that it may be difficult to find priorities that are relevant
for all countries. Choosing goals that could serve as priority areas for
different set of countries may result in having an overly large set of
goals which are not universal. As such, it would be best to formulate
goals that sufficiently broadly cover most of the countries but allow
differentiation in targets and indicators by country. In this regard, we
would like to note that crafting differentiated targets would require
delicate precision based on science-based data and information.
Third, with regards to means of implementation (MOI), we believe
including MOIs as part of each and every SDG would not only be a
problematic and extremely difficult exercise. It could also run the risk of
“aggregation problem”. At a minimum, MOIs should be consistent with
commitments that countries have already made in other fora.
Fourth, without doubt, balancing and integrating the three dimensions of
sustainable development in a single set of development goals will be a
highly challenging work. We therefore believe it would be best to
integrate the social, economic and environmental dimensions within
each SDG, wherever possible, such as for a goal on “sustainable energy
for all”. Where this exercise cannot be done, or is not appropriate, we
can compile a set or cluster of SDGs that each addresses different
dimensions of sustainable development.
Finally, the Rio+20 Outcome Document indicated that SDGs are only a
tool to help the world move towards poverty eradication and long-term
sustainability. Achieving sustainable development requires a paradigm
shift of economies and societies, including fundamental changes in
production and consumption patterns. In this, we would like to
emphasize the important role that inclusive green economy can play in
the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Mr. Co-Chair,
As you mentioned in the morning, we are now entering into uncharted
road. In this regard, we sincerely hope that under your able leadership,
diverse ideas and new thinking will be more actively encouraged,
exchanged and explored in the course of our work.
Thank you.
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