Major Group: Business & Industry
Eleventh Session of the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders
UN Headquarters, CR-1 CB
5 May 2014
Remarks by Dr. Louise Kantrow, Permanent Representative of the International Chamber of Commerce to the UN on behalf of the Global Business Alliance (GBA) for Post-2015 for the Business and Industry Major Group
Thank you Mr. Co-Chair.
My name is Louise Kantrow, I am the Permanent Representative to the UN for the International Chamber of Commerce and I am here today on behalf of the Global Business Alliance for Post-2015, speaking for the Business and Industry Major Group.
We commend the OWG for providing a much more comprehensive version of the Working Document and appreciate the renewed focus on goals and targets. During previous OWG sessions, Business and Industry has commented that the SDG process is a real opportunity for the global community to develop a set of goals and targets that will be transformative and effectively implemented. As we have said, the SDGs are an opportunity to bring “sustainability” and “development” together in a mutually reinforcing and measurable way, animate global cooperation and draw on and mobilize the resources of all stakeholders. In this regard, our suggested revisions to the current working document provide guidance toward making the language more practical, the targets more measurable and hence actionable, while maintaining its aspirational nature.
Attached to this statement, which will be posted online, is the Business and Industry proposed revisions to the current iteration of the OWG Working document and a few hard copies are available in the room as well. Our revision provides two important suggested modifications.
Mr. Co-Chair,
In the transition from a MDG-focused development paradigm towards a Post-2015 Development Agenda where sustainable development and poverty eradication remain the primary objectives, business whose primary function in society is economic activity, has a crucial role to play in harnessing the necessary resources and collaborating with countries in addressing impediments to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Business cannot succeed in a society that fails. It is equally true that society cannot achieve sustainability without business as a committed solutions provider.
One overarching pre-condition for business of any size, sector or nationality to operate is effective governance, rule of law and stable societies. For both civil society and business, these are the critical enablers that must be in place to implement the SDGs and achieve good results. It is for this reason that we have moved this focus area to the top as a preamble section of the document.
A goal on governance would signal to people the importance of governance as an outcome of sustainable development, and not just an enabler; it would direct the attention of world leaders to a core element of the future that people all over the world would like to see. And it would put improving
governance at the heart of country development plans, thus making those plans more likely to be achieved.
Another focus area that is of critical importance is the means of implementation (MOI). Business envisions MOI as more appropriately being treated as an annex to the SDGs. We also would like to reiterate the importance of formulating the goals and targets with flexibility so that countries would have the ability to define how it enacts its own actions that are more conducive to their national circumstances, mindful that different countries have different starting points, different means, different natural resources and different objectives.
Lastly, we have also endeavored to eliminate redundancy throughout the document and made revisions to some targets to make them more measurable and offer more consistency in language.
Mr. Co-Chair,
With reference to the focus areas that will be discussed today, we have the following key points:
Poverty eradication
Poverty eradication has emerged as the foremost unifying priority facing us. The world is facing a critical challenge: how to create opportunities for a growing population while ensuring the economic growth and environmental and social responsibilities work together in a mutually reinforcing fashion. Economic growth is one of the most powerful drivers of poverty reduction in the world and business is the most reliable engine powering that growth. Businesses from developed and developing economies alike are having profound, positive impact through employment creation, training and education, supply chain linkages and the provision of life-enhancing goods and services – all of which are strongly correlated to improved standards of living and broad-based development.
Further, we also believe that it is paramount to recognize that small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) serve as important channels for integrating impoverished segments of the population into the marketplace. Given their local involvement and ties, SMEs are essential in implementing concrete solutions to local social innovations. In addition, the role that SMEs play for resource efficiency in the value chain cannot be underestimated. Dialogues and collaborations should include SMEs and consider how they can leverage growing market share by introducing their innovations in the value chain.
Women’s entrepreneurship constitutes an important underestimated source of economic growth. While there is considerable evidence of success in the integration of women in society, the issue of the empowerment of women remains critical and much more needs to be done. Countries that do not capitalize on the full potential of one-half of their society are grossly misallocating their human resources and compromising their ability to compete in the global economy.
Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition
Please note, in particular, the changes proposed to c, e, and g. We believe that the importance of ending hunger and improving rural development were raised many times during the last working group meeting and capturing those ideas is very important. With regard to proposed target c, we face the imperative to fulfill the needs of an increasing population, while at the same time improving efficiency for a positive
impact on the environment. We believe that systems are in place to measure the impacts of such increase on land and biodiversity.
Agriculture is a knowledge-intensive sector. Farmers need access to training and extension, while sharing traditional knowledge to encourage abundant production, nutritious crops and mixed diets. Extension empowers farmers to maximize the use of technology including correct use of improved seeds, fertilizers, and water management, while disseminating information on conservation practices and building capacity in farm management and marketing. Efforts should seek to engage women farmers and to increase the numbers of female extension agents, given the resulting benefits in household welfare and nutrition.
Making agriculture a dynamic sector requires investments in policies and infrastructure that support all actors along the value chain, while creating opportunities for collaboration and holistic solutions. Increasing focus on food waste, particularly in developed countries where post-consumer losses can total up to 30% of 40%, offers great promise to reduce natural resource use. However, less attention has been paid to food loss across the supply chain.
Health and population dynamics
Healthier societies help increase productivity, socio-economic stability, and strengthen economics overall and, therefore health expenditure should be seen as an investment rather than as a cost. Sustainability of heal targets will require long-term investments by government and other stakeholder including the private sector.
Sustainability of healthcare would mean that the system is able to meet the health needs at all stages of a person’s life, through prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
To achieve healthy lives at all ages, systems should focus on long-term sustainable frameworks to prevent and manage infectious, chronic, and injury-related conditions. It will require the commitment to prioritize health in all policies and to involve relevant stakeholders. It also requires parallel commitment to foster an innovative eco-system in life sciences that will continue to enable the research, development and scientific partnerships that lead to new, patient-centered, medical interventions and health services.
Education and life-long learning
Increasing the employment capacities of job seekers throughout the world through effective education and training policies and programs is critical to maintaining labor market engagement across economic cycles, and maintaining people in work across their working lives. Effective education and training is also a fundamental precondition to wider economic and social development, and to spreading opportunities and reducing social exclusion and inequities.
Governments and business must make mutually reinforcing efforts to deliver real improvements in basic education as well as vocational and technical training and lifelong learning.
Basic education should provide core literacy, numeracy and employability skills to all. Education systems should also develop entrepreneurship and management skills as well as recognize the role of enterprises
in the economy. There should be greater recognition of the need to integrate education, training and learning systems throughout education and business.
Mr. Co-Chair,
The experience of the MDGs has taught us quite clearly that processes of top-down and bottom-up have to meet for future SDGs to be successful. A high-level vision and commitment at all levels that gives clear direction and hope is an essential dimension. The SDGs need to provide a clear framework within which each country can make its own choices, plans and commitments in the context of an overall shared goal. A strategic planning framework that helps each country contextualize the suite of SDGs as a whole for its own jurisdiction and citizens would help allocate priorities, resources and efforts and provide a basis for communications.
The business case for development is based on the understanding that business and social values are inextricably linked and that business efforts to improve lives and strengthen local communities have long-term, bottom line benefits. Increasingly, companies realize that their future competitiveness depends in part on their ability to address the needs of local economies and key stakeholders, and that investing approaches that benefit low-income consumers, employees, producers, and suppliers is an effective means of generating sustainable growth.
Business cannot succeed without strong partnership with governments at every level, who have the responsibility to provide the supporting policy frameworks that make it possible for business to deliver solutions for a sustainable economy. Moreover, business, in tandem with governments, have a duty to initiate mutually supportive activities that promote effective national frameworks based on good governance, open markets, and sound economic, social and environmental benefits. Business can never be, nor should it be expected to become a surrogate government. At the same time our partnerships with civil society are also essential to create trust, and to support the substantial transformations of the pathway to sustainability. In short, we are all in this together.
Business stands ready to continue to respectfully engage and act as a resource for member states throughout this process.
Thank you.
Working Document for 5 – 9 May Session of Open Working Group
Business and Industry Proposed Revisions
PREAMBLE
Effective governance, rule of law and stable societies
Ensure effective governance, rule of law and capable institutions
a) by 2030 develop effective, accountable, democratic and transparent institutions at all levels
b) by 2030 provide equal access to independent and responsive justice systems including related to property and tenure rights, employment, business, taxation, trade and finance
c) by 2020 provide public services for all, including legal identity
d) by 2030 improve access to information on public finance management, public procurement and on the implementation of national development plans
e) by 2030 decrease by x% corruption in all its forms, including bribery and illicit financial flows
f) by 2030 remove unnecessary restrictions of freedom of media, association, religion and speech
g) by 2030 ensure justice institutions are accessible, independent, well resourced and respect due-process rights.
h) by 2030 reduce violent deaths per 100,000 population by x% and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children
i) Science based regulatory systems with non-discriminatory enforcement.
j) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 1. Poverty eradication
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
a) by 2030 reduce the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day to zero and reduce by x% the share of people living below their country’s 2015 national poverty line.
b) by 2020 cover x% of people who are below the national poverty line with social protection systems
c) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 2. Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition
End hunger and improve nutrition for all through sustainable agriculture and improved food systems
a) by 2030 end malnutrition in all its forms
b) by 2030 reduce stunting by x%, wasting by y%, and anemia by z% for all children under five
c) by 2030, double food production while improving efficiency per unit produced to protect biodiversity and land resources by 2030 achieve access to adequate inputs, knowledge, productive resources, financial services, entrepreneurship training and markets for small farmers and fishers, with a particular focus on women and indigenous peoples
d) by 2030 reduce by 50% the global rate of post harvest loss and waste along the food supply chain.
e) By 2030, ensure access to basic resources in rural areas of land, water, infrastructure in order to increase rural development by as much as 30%
f) by 2030, eradicate calorie-deficient hunger and halt increase rates of obesity and of malnutrition
g) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 3. Health and population dynamics
Ensure healthy life at all ages
a) by 2030 reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 40 per 100,000 live births, end preventable new-born and child deaths and reduce by x% child and maternal morbidity.
b) by 2030, increase by x% the number of people with access to affordable health coverage, including financial risk protection, with particular attention to the most marginalized.
c) by 2030, ensure x% of females have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, including modern methods of family planning.
d) by 2030 reduce the burden of disease from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other neglected infectious diseases.
e) by 2030, reduce by 25% the risk of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries and promote mental health with strong focus on prevention.
f) by 2030 increase by x% the proportion of children, adolescents, at-risk adults and older people that are fully immunized with essential vaccines
g) by 2030, eliminate narcotic drug and substance abuse
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 4. Education and life-long learning
Provide quality education and life-long learning for all
a) by 2030 increase by x% the proportion of children able to access and complete pre-primary education
b) by 2030 ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, completes primary education able to read, write and count well enough to meet minimum learning standards
c) by 2030 ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to lower secondary education and increase the proportion of adolescents who achieve recognized and measurable learning outcomes to x%
d) by 2030 provide enhanced computing skills at primary and secondary level
e) by 2030 ensure that persons with disabilities have access to inclusive education, skills development and vocational training
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 5. Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Attain gender equality and women’s empowerment everywhere
a) by 2030 end all forms of discrimination against women and girls of all ages
b) by 2030 end violence against women and girls in all its forms
c) by 2030 ensure equal education and employment opportunities for women and equal pay for equal work
d) by 2030 ensure equal participation and leadership of women in decision-making in public institutions
e) by 2030 end child, early and forced marriage
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 6. Water and sanitation
Achieve universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene
a) by 2020, eliminate open defecation; to achieve universal access to basic drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for households, schools and health facilities; to halve the proportion of the population without access at home to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services; and to progressively eliminate inequalities in access
b) by 2030 improve by (x%) the sustainable use and development of water resources in all countries
c) by 2030 strengthen equitable, participatory and accountable water governance in all countries
d) by 2030 reduce wastewater pollution and improve water quality by reducing untreated domestic and industrial wastewater by (x%); increasing wastewater reused safely by (y%); and reducing nutrient pollution by (z%) to maximize water resource availability
e) by 2030 Reduce mortality by x% and economic loss by y% from
water-related disasters.
f) Appropriate means of implementation.
Focus area 7. Energy
Ensure access to reliable modern energy for all
a) by 2030 ensure universal access to modern energy services
b) by 2030 Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
c) by 2030 increase by 25% the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
d) by 2030 phase out fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption
e) by 2030 increase by x% the share of clean and low or zero-emission energy technologies, including sustainable biomass and advanced cookstoves
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 8. Inclusive economic growth and employment
Promote sustainable, inclusive, enduring economic growth and employment
a) by 2030 reduce by x% the informal sector and ensure property rights and legal protection for entrepreneurs as well as the reform of regulations to redress legal and administrative barriers to formalization
b) by 2020 establish national policies to promote and enable enterprise creation and develop inclusive business models that incorporate low-income populations
c) by 2030 ensure full access to private finance, including basic savings, loans and growth capital products, on fair terms including for women and marginalized groups
d) by 2030 develop national employment policies which support the needs of the SME sector and target youth unemployment
e) by 2030 ensure equal employment opportunities for women
f) by 2030 achieve full and productive employment
g) by 2030 eliminate child labor
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 9. Industrialization and infrastructure
Promote sustainable industrialization and infrastructure
(a) by 2030 ensure a conducive policy environment for industrial development, including enabling environments for investment and clear enforced environmental regulations
(b) by 2030 increase industrial diversity particularly in
developing countries, with a focus on shifting towards higher value-added activities
(c) by 2030 extend the chemical goal of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation such that all countries have in place policies to encourage, reinforce and reward emerging industry sectors that develop and apply practices of sound management of chemicals
(d) by 2030 full implementation of UN trade and transport facilitation tools such as the TIR Convention and the Harmonization Convention
(e) by 2030 increase investment in and maintain basic and ancillary infrastructure including road and rail; electricity generation and supply, including renewable energy; information and communication technologies; water and wastewater services; and the recovery of resources and used materials
(f) by 2020 implement national plans and measures systematically encourage the strengthening of the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including plans to accelerate development, dissemination and adoption of environmentally sound industrial technologies, processes and management systems, maintaining strong intellectual property rights protection
(g) by 2030 develop sustainable infrastructure accessible to all, with attention to needs of countries in special situations, and provide access for x% of rural populations to basic infrastructure and services
(h) by 2030, expand access by x% to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport.
(i) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 10. Sustainable cities and human settlements
Build inclusive, safe and sustainable cities and human settlements
a) by 2030, expand by x% access to adequate and affordable housing and basic services for all, and reduce slum-like conditions where they exist
b) by 2030 enhance capacities for integrated urban planning and management
c) by 2030, reduce the ecological footprints of cities by x%
d) by 2020, increase by x% the number of cities adopting and implementing policies and plans towards resilience and adaptation to climate change and natural disasters
e) by 2030 ensure that all cities are accessible and offer opportunities to persons with disabilities
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 11. Sustainable Consumption and Production
Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns through innovation, continuous improvement and science-based information
a) by 2030 achieve sustainable management and use of natural resources
b) by 2030 reduce waste by x% through more systematic attention to prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
c) by 2030 improve the resource productivity of economic activities by x%, including through encouraging more sustainable practices throughout relevant supply chains
d) by 2030 redouble efforts to raise awareness of more sustainable lifestyles, including systematic encouragement and rewarding of provision of sustainability information on products and services.
e) by 2020, promote sustainable consumption and production patterns throughout a product’s life-cycle through economic incentives
f) by 2030 increase by x% the share of public and private enterprises voluntary reporting on social and environmental responsibility, including where appropriate, integrated reporting.
g) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 12. Climate change
Adopt policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change while building a climate change goal based on the outcome of COP21 of the UNFCCC
a) hold the increase in global average temperature below an x°C rise in accordance with international agreements
b) by 2030 integrate climate adaptation and emissions reductions into development plans and poverty reduction strategies
c) by 2030 provide enabling frameworks, instruments and incentives for investments in low-carbon solutions in infrastructure, energy, technology and transport
d) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 13. Conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas
Adopt policies for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas
a) by 2030, prevent, control and reduce by x% marine pollution and marine disposal of waste and tailings, including from land-based activities and responsive to evolving scientific findings
b) by 2030, restore and protect marine ecosystems from destruction, including by halting and preventing ocean acidification
c) by 2030, regulate harvesting to restore fish stocks to ecologically safe levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield, and support sustainable small-scale fisheries and reduce overexploited fish stocks by 20%.
d) develop and ensure the full implementation of existing regional and international regimes governing oceans and seas, including for resources in areas beyond national jurisdictions
e) by 2020, eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing118 and destructive fishing practices
f) establish Marine Protected Areas, consistent with international law
g) by 2030, eliminate fishing subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 14. Ecosystems and biodiversity
Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt all biodiversity loss
a) by 2020 ensure conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems, including through restoration of degraded critical ecosystems
b) maintain genetic diversity of both farmed species and their wild relatives
c) by 2030, ensure sustainable management of all forests and mountain ecosystems, halting deforestation and increasing reforestation by x%
d) by 2030, achieve a land degradation neutral world
e) by 2030 end poaching and trafficking of endangered species
f) ensure inclusion of indigenous and local communities in decision making, and promote traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples
g) by 2020, stop and turn back annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation resulting from farming and livestock production.
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 15. Means of implementation/Global partnership for sustainable development
Strengthen means of implementation including global partnership for sustainable development
Trade:
a) promote open, rules-based, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading and financial systems, including complying with the agricultural mandate of the WTO Doha Round
b) provide greater duty-free and quota-free market access to
least developed countries in keeping with World Trade Organization decisions
c) improve market access for agricultural and industrial exports of developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries, and at least double the share of LDCs’ exports in global exports by 2020
Technology transfer, technological capabilities:
d) enhance regional and international cooperation for science, technology, and innovation and solutions-oriented research, and enhance knowledge sharing, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation
e) promote transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies to developing countries
f) fully operationalize the Technology Bank and STI Capacity Building Mechanism for LDCs
g) strengthen institutions and build capacities in developing countries to undertake research, development and adaptation of technologies, including clean and environmentally sound technologies
h) support fully research and development of vaccines and medicines for the common diseases of developing countries, notably LDCs
Financing and debt sustainability:
i) full implementation by developed countries of ODA commitments on an agreed timetable144 based on agreed principles
j) mobilize additional financial resources146 from multiple sources, including reducing the cost of remittances
k) encourage long-term private foreign investment and inclusive finance
l) ensure adequate financial resources for investments in sustainable development
m) ensure debt sustainability and debt relief
n) promote inclusive, participatory decision-making at both national and international levels, including the conclusion of reforms for increasing effective participation of developing countries in international financial institutions
o) strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including by improving tax collection and the efficiency of public spending, reducing tax evasion and avoidance, improving stolen asset recovery, and strengthening systems to harness domestic savings for investment
p) promote sustainable public procurement, including through national targets
Capacity building:
q) expand by x% globally the number of scholarships for students
from LDCs to enroll in higher education programmes in developed countries and other developing countries, with focus on science, engineering and management
r) substantially strengthen capacities for sustainable development data collection and analysis with a focus on generating disaggregated, timely and high-quality data
s) countries progressively introduce expanded measures of progress beyond GDO into national accounting, with supporting statistical capacity building in developing countries
t) develop and implement capacity building programmes in developing countries, especially LDCs, in support of the national plans implementing sustainable development goals, including in agriculture, water, energy, health as well as in disaster prevention and reduction capacity and sustainable natural resources management
Strengthened global partnership for sustainable development
u) engage all stakeholders in implementation of the SDGs, including through effective, innovative and accountable partnerships in cooperation with governments that mobilize financial resources, develop and disseminate technologies and provide technical expertise
v) regular monitoring and reporting of progress on SDGs within a shared accountability framework, including means of implementation, the global partnership among Member States and multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships
Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders
UN Headquarters, CR-1 CB
5 May 2014
Remarks by Dr. Louise Kantrow, Permanent Representative of the International Chamber of Commerce to the UN on behalf of the Global Business Alliance (GBA) for Post-2015 for the Business and Industry Major Group
Thank you Mr. Co-Chair.
My name is Louise Kantrow, I am the Permanent Representative to the UN for the International Chamber of Commerce and I am here today on behalf of the Global Business Alliance for Post-2015, speaking for the Business and Industry Major Group.
We commend the OWG for providing a much more comprehensive version of the Working Document and appreciate the renewed focus on goals and targets. During previous OWG sessions, Business and Industry has commented that the SDG process is a real opportunity for the global community to develop a set of goals and targets that will be transformative and effectively implemented. As we have said, the SDGs are an opportunity to bring “sustainability” and “development” together in a mutually reinforcing and measurable way, animate global cooperation and draw on and mobilize the resources of all stakeholders. In this regard, our suggested revisions to the current working document provide guidance toward making the language more practical, the targets more measurable and hence actionable, while maintaining its aspirational nature.
Attached to this statement, which will be posted online, is the Business and Industry proposed revisions to the current iteration of the OWG Working document and a few hard copies are available in the room as well. Our revision provides two important suggested modifications.
Mr. Co-Chair,
In the transition from a MDG-focused development paradigm towards a Post-2015 Development Agenda where sustainable development and poverty eradication remain the primary objectives, business whose primary function in society is economic activity, has a crucial role to play in harnessing the necessary resources and collaborating with countries in addressing impediments to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Business cannot succeed in a society that fails. It is equally true that society cannot achieve sustainability without business as a committed solutions provider.
One overarching pre-condition for business of any size, sector or nationality to operate is effective governance, rule of law and stable societies. For both civil society and business, these are the critical enablers that must be in place to implement the SDGs and achieve good results. It is for this reason that we have moved this focus area to the top as a preamble section of the document.
A goal on governance would signal to people the importance of governance as an outcome of sustainable development, and not just an enabler; it would direct the attention of world leaders to a core element of the future that people all over the world would like to see. And it would put improving
governance at the heart of country development plans, thus making those plans more likely to be achieved.
Another focus area that is of critical importance is the means of implementation (MOI). Business envisions MOI as more appropriately being treated as an annex to the SDGs. We also would like to reiterate the importance of formulating the goals and targets with flexibility so that countries would have the ability to define how it enacts its own actions that are more conducive to their national circumstances, mindful that different countries have different starting points, different means, different natural resources and different objectives.
Lastly, we have also endeavored to eliminate redundancy throughout the document and made revisions to some targets to make them more measurable and offer more consistency in language.
Mr. Co-Chair,
With reference to the focus areas that will be discussed today, we have the following key points:
Poverty eradication
Poverty eradication has emerged as the foremost unifying priority facing us. The world is facing a critical challenge: how to create opportunities for a growing population while ensuring the economic growth and environmental and social responsibilities work together in a mutually reinforcing fashion. Economic growth is one of the most powerful drivers of poverty reduction in the world and business is the most reliable engine powering that growth. Businesses from developed and developing economies alike are having profound, positive impact through employment creation, training and education, supply chain linkages and the provision of life-enhancing goods and services – all of which are strongly correlated to improved standards of living and broad-based development.
Further, we also believe that it is paramount to recognize that small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) serve as important channels for integrating impoverished segments of the population into the marketplace. Given their local involvement and ties, SMEs are essential in implementing concrete solutions to local social innovations. In addition, the role that SMEs play for resource efficiency in the value chain cannot be underestimated. Dialogues and collaborations should include SMEs and consider how they can leverage growing market share by introducing their innovations in the value chain.
Women’s entrepreneurship constitutes an important underestimated source of economic growth. While there is considerable evidence of success in the integration of women in society, the issue of the empowerment of women remains critical and much more needs to be done. Countries that do not capitalize on the full potential of one-half of their society are grossly misallocating their human resources and compromising their ability to compete in the global economy.
Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition
Please note, in particular, the changes proposed to c, e, and g. We believe that the importance of ending hunger and improving rural development were raised many times during the last working group meeting and capturing those ideas is very important. With regard to proposed target c, we face the imperative to fulfill the needs of an increasing population, while at the same time improving efficiency for a positive
impact on the environment. We believe that systems are in place to measure the impacts of such increase on land and biodiversity.
Agriculture is a knowledge-intensive sector. Farmers need access to training and extension, while sharing traditional knowledge to encourage abundant production, nutritious crops and mixed diets. Extension empowers farmers to maximize the use of technology including correct use of improved seeds, fertilizers, and water management, while disseminating information on conservation practices and building capacity in farm management and marketing. Efforts should seek to engage women farmers and to increase the numbers of female extension agents, given the resulting benefits in household welfare and nutrition.
Making agriculture a dynamic sector requires investments in policies and infrastructure that support all actors along the value chain, while creating opportunities for collaboration and holistic solutions. Increasing focus on food waste, particularly in developed countries where post-consumer losses can total up to 30% of 40%, offers great promise to reduce natural resource use. However, less attention has been paid to food loss across the supply chain.
Health and population dynamics
Healthier societies help increase productivity, socio-economic stability, and strengthen economics overall and, therefore health expenditure should be seen as an investment rather than as a cost. Sustainability of heal targets will require long-term investments by government and other stakeholder including the private sector.
Sustainability of healthcare would mean that the system is able to meet the health needs at all stages of a person’s life, through prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
To achieve healthy lives at all ages, systems should focus on long-term sustainable frameworks to prevent and manage infectious, chronic, and injury-related conditions. It will require the commitment to prioritize health in all policies and to involve relevant stakeholders. It also requires parallel commitment to foster an innovative eco-system in life sciences that will continue to enable the research, development and scientific partnerships that lead to new, patient-centered, medical interventions and health services.
Education and life-long learning
Increasing the employment capacities of job seekers throughout the world through effective education and training policies and programs is critical to maintaining labor market engagement across economic cycles, and maintaining people in work across their working lives. Effective education and training is also a fundamental precondition to wider economic and social development, and to spreading opportunities and reducing social exclusion and inequities.
Governments and business must make mutually reinforcing efforts to deliver real improvements in basic education as well as vocational and technical training and lifelong learning.
Basic education should provide core literacy, numeracy and employability skills to all. Education systems should also develop entrepreneurship and management skills as well as recognize the role of enterprises
in the economy. There should be greater recognition of the need to integrate education, training and learning systems throughout education and business.
Mr. Co-Chair,
The experience of the MDGs has taught us quite clearly that processes of top-down and bottom-up have to meet for future SDGs to be successful. A high-level vision and commitment at all levels that gives clear direction and hope is an essential dimension. The SDGs need to provide a clear framework within which each country can make its own choices, plans and commitments in the context of an overall shared goal. A strategic planning framework that helps each country contextualize the suite of SDGs as a whole for its own jurisdiction and citizens would help allocate priorities, resources and efforts and provide a basis for communications.
The business case for development is based on the understanding that business and social values are inextricably linked and that business efforts to improve lives and strengthen local communities have long-term, bottom line benefits. Increasingly, companies realize that their future competitiveness depends in part on their ability to address the needs of local economies and key stakeholders, and that investing approaches that benefit low-income consumers, employees, producers, and suppliers is an effective means of generating sustainable growth.
Business cannot succeed without strong partnership with governments at every level, who have the responsibility to provide the supporting policy frameworks that make it possible for business to deliver solutions for a sustainable economy. Moreover, business, in tandem with governments, have a duty to initiate mutually supportive activities that promote effective national frameworks based on good governance, open markets, and sound economic, social and environmental benefits. Business can never be, nor should it be expected to become a surrogate government. At the same time our partnerships with civil society are also essential to create trust, and to support the substantial transformations of the pathway to sustainability. In short, we are all in this together.
Business stands ready to continue to respectfully engage and act as a resource for member states throughout this process.
Thank you.
Working Document for 5 – 9 May Session of Open Working Group
Business and Industry Proposed Revisions
PREAMBLE
Effective governance, rule of law and stable societies
Ensure effective governance, rule of law and capable institutions
a) by 2030 develop effective, accountable, democratic and transparent institutions at all levels
b) by 2030 provide equal access to independent and responsive justice systems including related to property and tenure rights, employment, business, taxation, trade and finance
c) by 2020 provide public services for all, including legal identity
d) by 2030 improve access to information on public finance management, public procurement and on the implementation of national development plans
e) by 2030 decrease by x% corruption in all its forms, including bribery and illicit financial flows
f) by 2030 remove unnecessary restrictions of freedom of media, association, religion and speech
g) by 2030 ensure justice institutions are accessible, independent, well resourced and respect due-process rights.
h) by 2030 reduce violent deaths per 100,000 population by x% and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children
i) Science based regulatory systems with non-discriminatory enforcement.
j) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 1. Poverty eradication
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
a) by 2030 reduce the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day to zero and reduce by x% the share of people living below their country’s 2015 national poverty line.
b) by 2020 cover x% of people who are below the national poverty line with social protection systems
c) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 2. Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition
End hunger and improve nutrition for all through sustainable agriculture and improved food systems
a) by 2030 end malnutrition in all its forms
b) by 2030 reduce stunting by x%, wasting by y%, and anemia by z% for all children under five
c) by 2030, double food production while improving efficiency per unit produced to protect biodiversity and land resources by 2030 achieve access to adequate inputs, knowledge, productive resources, financial services, entrepreneurship training and markets for small farmers and fishers, with a particular focus on women and indigenous peoples
d) by 2030 reduce by 50% the global rate of post harvest loss and waste along the food supply chain.
e) By 2030, ensure access to basic resources in rural areas of land, water, infrastructure in order to increase rural development by as much as 30%
f) by 2030, eradicate calorie-deficient hunger and halt increase rates of obesity and of malnutrition
g) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 3. Health and population dynamics
Ensure healthy life at all ages
a) by 2030 reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 40 per 100,000 live births, end preventable new-born and child deaths and reduce by x% child and maternal morbidity.
b) by 2030, increase by x% the number of people with access to affordable health coverage, including financial risk protection, with particular attention to the most marginalized.
c) by 2030, ensure x% of females have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, including modern methods of family planning.
d) by 2030 reduce the burden of disease from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other neglected infectious diseases.
e) by 2030, reduce by 25% the risk of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries and promote mental health with strong focus on prevention.
f) by 2030 increase by x% the proportion of children, adolescents, at-risk adults and older people that are fully immunized with essential vaccines
g) by 2030, eliminate narcotic drug and substance abuse
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 4. Education and life-long learning
Provide quality education and life-long learning for all
a) by 2030 increase by x% the proportion of children able to access and complete pre-primary education
b) by 2030 ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, completes primary education able to read, write and count well enough to meet minimum learning standards
c) by 2030 ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to lower secondary education and increase the proportion of adolescents who achieve recognized and measurable learning outcomes to x%
d) by 2030 provide enhanced computing skills at primary and secondary level
e) by 2030 ensure that persons with disabilities have access to inclusive education, skills development and vocational training
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 5. Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Attain gender equality and women’s empowerment everywhere
a) by 2030 end all forms of discrimination against women and girls of all ages
b) by 2030 end violence against women and girls in all its forms
c) by 2030 ensure equal education and employment opportunities for women and equal pay for equal work
d) by 2030 ensure equal participation and leadership of women in decision-making in public institutions
e) by 2030 end child, early and forced marriage
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 6. Water and sanitation
Achieve universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene
a) by 2020, eliminate open defecation; to achieve universal access to basic drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for households, schools and health facilities; to halve the proportion of the population without access at home to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services; and to progressively eliminate inequalities in access
b) by 2030 improve by (x%) the sustainable use and development of water resources in all countries
c) by 2030 strengthen equitable, participatory and accountable water governance in all countries
d) by 2030 reduce wastewater pollution and improve water quality by reducing untreated domestic and industrial wastewater by (x%); increasing wastewater reused safely by (y%); and reducing nutrient pollution by (z%) to maximize water resource availability
e) by 2030 Reduce mortality by x% and economic loss by y% from
water-related disasters.
f) Appropriate means of implementation.
Focus area 7. Energy
Ensure access to reliable modern energy for all
a) by 2030 ensure universal access to modern energy services
b) by 2030 Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
c) by 2030 increase by 25% the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
d) by 2030 phase out fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption
e) by 2030 increase by x% the share of clean and low or zero-emission energy technologies, including sustainable biomass and advanced cookstoves
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 8. Inclusive economic growth and employment
Promote sustainable, inclusive, enduring economic growth and employment
a) by 2030 reduce by x% the informal sector and ensure property rights and legal protection for entrepreneurs as well as the reform of regulations to redress legal and administrative barriers to formalization
b) by 2020 establish national policies to promote and enable enterprise creation and develop inclusive business models that incorporate low-income populations
c) by 2030 ensure full access to private finance, including basic savings, loans and growth capital products, on fair terms including for women and marginalized groups
d) by 2030 develop national employment policies which support the needs of the SME sector and target youth unemployment
e) by 2030 ensure equal employment opportunities for women
f) by 2030 achieve full and productive employment
g) by 2030 eliminate child labor
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 9. Industrialization and infrastructure
Promote sustainable industrialization and infrastructure
(a) by 2030 ensure a conducive policy environment for industrial development, including enabling environments for investment and clear enforced environmental regulations
(b) by 2030 increase industrial diversity particularly in
developing countries, with a focus on shifting towards higher value-added activities
(c) by 2030 extend the chemical goal of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation such that all countries have in place policies to encourage, reinforce and reward emerging industry sectors that develop and apply practices of sound management of chemicals
(d) by 2030 full implementation of UN trade and transport facilitation tools such as the TIR Convention and the Harmonization Convention
(e) by 2030 increase investment in and maintain basic and ancillary infrastructure including road and rail; electricity generation and supply, including renewable energy; information and communication technologies; water and wastewater services; and the recovery of resources and used materials
(f) by 2020 implement national plans and measures systematically encourage the strengthening of the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including plans to accelerate development, dissemination and adoption of environmentally sound industrial technologies, processes and management systems, maintaining strong intellectual property rights protection
(g) by 2030 develop sustainable infrastructure accessible to all, with attention to needs of countries in special situations, and provide access for x% of rural populations to basic infrastructure and services
(h) by 2030, expand access by x% to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport.
(i) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 10. Sustainable cities and human settlements
Build inclusive, safe and sustainable cities and human settlements
a) by 2030, expand by x% access to adequate and affordable housing and basic services for all, and reduce slum-like conditions where they exist
b) by 2030 enhance capacities for integrated urban planning and management
c) by 2030, reduce the ecological footprints of cities by x%
d) by 2020, increase by x% the number of cities adopting and implementing policies and plans towards resilience and adaptation to climate change and natural disasters
e) by 2030 ensure that all cities are accessible and offer opportunities to persons with disabilities
f) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 11. Sustainable Consumption and Production
Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns through innovation, continuous improvement and science-based information
a) by 2030 achieve sustainable management and use of natural resources
b) by 2030 reduce waste by x% through more systematic attention to prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
c) by 2030 improve the resource productivity of economic activities by x%, including through encouraging more sustainable practices throughout relevant supply chains
d) by 2030 redouble efforts to raise awareness of more sustainable lifestyles, including systematic encouragement and rewarding of provision of sustainability information on products and services.
e) by 2020, promote sustainable consumption and production patterns throughout a product’s life-cycle through economic incentives
f) by 2030 increase by x% the share of public and private enterprises voluntary reporting on social and environmental responsibility, including where appropriate, integrated reporting.
g) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 12. Climate change
Adopt policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change while building a climate change goal based on the outcome of COP21 of the UNFCCC
a) hold the increase in global average temperature below an x°C rise in accordance with international agreements
b) by 2030 integrate climate adaptation and emissions reductions into development plans and poverty reduction strategies
c) by 2030 provide enabling frameworks, instruments and incentives for investments in low-carbon solutions in infrastructure, energy, technology and transport
d) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 13. Conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas
Adopt policies for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas
a) by 2030, prevent, control and reduce by x% marine pollution and marine disposal of waste and tailings, including from land-based activities and responsive to evolving scientific findings
b) by 2030, restore and protect marine ecosystems from destruction, including by halting and preventing ocean acidification
c) by 2030, regulate harvesting to restore fish stocks to ecologically safe levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield, and support sustainable small-scale fisheries and reduce overexploited fish stocks by 20%.
d) develop and ensure the full implementation of existing regional and international regimes governing oceans and seas, including for resources in areas beyond national jurisdictions
e) by 2020, eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing118 and destructive fishing practices
f) establish Marine Protected Areas, consistent with international law
g) by 2030, eliminate fishing subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 14. Ecosystems and biodiversity
Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt all biodiversity loss
a) by 2020 ensure conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems, including through restoration of degraded critical ecosystems
b) maintain genetic diversity of both farmed species and their wild relatives
c) by 2030, ensure sustainable management of all forests and mountain ecosystems, halting deforestation and increasing reforestation by x%
d) by 2030, achieve a land degradation neutral world
e) by 2030 end poaching and trafficking of endangered species
f) ensure inclusion of indigenous and local communities in decision making, and promote traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples
g) by 2020, stop and turn back annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation resulting from farming and livestock production.
h) Appropriate means of implementation
Focus area 15. Means of implementation/Global partnership for sustainable development
Strengthen means of implementation including global partnership for sustainable development
Trade:
a) promote open, rules-based, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading and financial systems, including complying with the agricultural mandate of the WTO Doha Round
b) provide greater duty-free and quota-free market access to
least developed countries in keeping with World Trade Organization decisions
c) improve market access for agricultural and industrial exports of developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries, and at least double the share of LDCs’ exports in global exports by 2020
Technology transfer, technological capabilities:
d) enhance regional and international cooperation for science, technology, and innovation and solutions-oriented research, and enhance knowledge sharing, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation
e) promote transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies to developing countries
f) fully operationalize the Technology Bank and STI Capacity Building Mechanism for LDCs
g) strengthen institutions and build capacities in developing countries to undertake research, development and adaptation of technologies, including clean and environmentally sound technologies
h) support fully research and development of vaccines and medicines for the common diseases of developing countries, notably LDCs
Financing and debt sustainability:
i) full implementation by developed countries of ODA commitments on an agreed timetable144 based on agreed principles
j) mobilize additional financial resources146 from multiple sources, including reducing the cost of remittances
k) encourage long-term private foreign investment and inclusive finance
l) ensure adequate financial resources for investments in sustainable development
m) ensure debt sustainability and debt relief
n) promote inclusive, participatory decision-making at both national and international levels, including the conclusion of reforms for increasing effective participation of developing countries in international financial institutions
o) strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including by improving tax collection and the efficiency of public spending, reducing tax evasion and avoidance, improving stolen asset recovery, and strengthening systems to harness domestic savings for investment
p) promote sustainable public procurement, including through national targets
Capacity building:
q) expand by x% globally the number of scholarships for students
from LDCs to enroll in higher education programmes in developed countries and other developing countries, with focus on science, engineering and management
r) substantially strengthen capacities for sustainable development data collection and analysis with a focus on generating disaggregated, timely and high-quality data
s) countries progressively introduce expanded measures of progress beyond GDO into national accounting, with supporting statistical capacity building in developing countries
t) develop and implement capacity building programmes in developing countries, especially LDCs, in support of the national plans implementing sustainable development goals, including in agriculture, water, energy, health as well as in disaster prevention and reduction capacity and sustainable natural resources management
Strengthened global partnership for sustainable development
u) engage all stakeholders in implementation of the SDGs, including through effective, innovative and accountable partnerships in cooperation with governments that mobilize financial resources, develop and disseminate technologies and provide technical expertise
v) regular monitoring and reporting of progress on SDGs within a shared accountability framework, including means of implementation, the global partnership among Member States and multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships