Major Group: NGOs
NGO MG statement
(Leida Rijnhout - EEB – OP MG NGO)
Thank you co-chair: I’m speaking on behalf of the NGO MG:
When in Rio, NGOs welcomed the SDGs as a vehicle to overcome the shortcomings
of the MDGs. We also hoped that the time for a Copernican revolution had arrived
and that the world was ready for a new paradigm on the meaning of development and
its intense relation to the environment. We were eager to read the report of the OWG,
and although a lot of good points are made, we still feel a little disappointed. We are
missing the historical opportunity to put Sustainable Development in the heart of all
policies, instead of sustaining“ thé global economy”, that is anyhow for 95 % virtual, only
serves the richer groups and is based on lots of speculation.
NGOs stressed the need for a systemic change, social innovation, alternative business
models, visionary leadership, a rights based approach, and new innovative mechanisms
for financing. NGOs shared many new ideas, practical proposals, and tools for
implementation, which we don’t see reflected in the text. We now look forward to
sharing with the Open Working Group our proposals for each of the Focus Areas that we
are now preparing.
Furthermore we would like to emphasise that existing international agreements
must not be overruled or weakened by the Post-2015 Sustainable Development
Agenda.
Rather, frames and goals should build on existing United Nations declarations,
agreements and conventions, and bring renewed energy in their implementation and
close existing gaps.
The post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda has to be based on commitment,
accountability and human rights, including other aspects like full implementation of
the polluter-pays principle and precautionary approach, appropriate transparency
mechanisms, regular reviews, collective pressure and the option of holding states and
private sector responsible and accountable for non-compliance.
For international leadership and monitoring, existing specialised UN-bodies should
have an important role on the relevant issues (WHO, FAO, UNEP, UNDP, ..). This
will give a stronger mandate to those bodies, as well a coherent framework for their
future work.
The High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development should take a strong
coordinating and facilitating role in the overall review and implementation of the
Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The SDGs must, without exceptions, be universal (as we stated Monday) but can be
broken down in national targets and strategies on the national and local levels. Those
targets and indicators have to be presented and implemented in National Sustainable
Development Strategies (NSSD). All goals have to be covered in all nations, but
depending on needs and possibilities, the strategies can be different.
At last, but not at least: on the national and local level the NGOs are prepared and willing
to support the achievement of sustainable societies worldwide.
Thank you.
(Leida Rijnhout - EEB – OP MG NGO)
Thank you co-chair: I’m speaking on behalf of the NGO MG:
When in Rio, NGOs welcomed the SDGs as a vehicle to overcome the shortcomings
of the MDGs. We also hoped that the time for a Copernican revolution had arrived
and that the world was ready for a new paradigm on the meaning of development and
its intense relation to the environment. We were eager to read the report of the OWG,
and although a lot of good points are made, we still feel a little disappointed. We are
missing the historical opportunity to put Sustainable Development in the heart of all
policies, instead of sustaining“ thé global economy”, that is anyhow for 95 % virtual, only
serves the richer groups and is based on lots of speculation.
NGOs stressed the need for a systemic change, social innovation, alternative business
models, visionary leadership, a rights based approach, and new innovative mechanisms
for financing. NGOs shared many new ideas, practical proposals, and tools for
implementation, which we don’t see reflected in the text. We now look forward to
sharing with the Open Working Group our proposals for each of the Focus Areas that we
are now preparing.
Furthermore we would like to emphasise that existing international agreements
must not be overruled or weakened by the Post-2015 Sustainable Development
Agenda.
Rather, frames and goals should build on existing United Nations declarations,
agreements and conventions, and bring renewed energy in their implementation and
close existing gaps.
The post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda has to be based on commitment,
accountability and human rights, including other aspects like full implementation of
the polluter-pays principle and precautionary approach, appropriate transparency
mechanisms, regular reviews, collective pressure and the option of holding states and
private sector responsible and accountable for non-compliance.
For international leadership and monitoring, existing specialised UN-bodies should
have an important role on the relevant issues (WHO, FAO, UNEP, UNDP, ..). This
will give a stronger mandate to those bodies, as well a coherent framework for their
future work.
The High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development should take a strong
coordinating and facilitating role in the overall review and implementation of the
Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The SDGs must, without exceptions, be universal (as we stated Monday) but can be
broken down in national targets and strategies on the national and local levels. Those
targets and indicators have to be presented and implemented in National Sustainable
Development Strategies (NSSD). All goals have to be covered in all nations, but
depending on needs and possibilities, the strategies can be different.
At last, but not at least: on the national and local level the NGOs are prepared and willing
to support the achievement of sustainable societies worldwide.
Thank you.