Major Group: Women

Comments of the Women’s Major Group on the Zero Draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda



June, 2015

TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD BY 2030: A NEW AGENDA FOR GLOBAL ACTION

Preamble

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity that also seeks to strengthen universal peace, equality, in larger freedom and respect, protect and fulfill all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of any kind. All countries acting in collaborative partnership will implement the Agenda. We are resolved to free the human race all people from the tyranny of poverty in all its forms, we andwant to ensure their dignity and wellbeing, and to heal and secure our planet for present and future generations. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps needed to shift the world on to a sustainable path while achieving gender equality, a profound transformation of the global economic and financial system towards equity and redistribution, environmental sustainability, and peaceful societies with accountability and justice. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind.

Comment: The preamble should outline an ambitious vision for the post-2015 development agenda. The suggested amendments help to elevate the level of ambition, while touching on key goals that countries have outlined for the agenda. The outcome document must recognize and address power imbalances and structural barriers, which are the root causes of inequalities within and between countries, hence have included equality here.

The new Agenda sets out, inter alia, to:

• End poverty and hunger;
• Secure quality education, health, water, sanitation, and basic services for all;
• Achieve gender equality, and empower and fulfill the human rights of all women and girls;
• Combat inequalities within and between countries while guaranteeing the human rights of all persons across the Agenda;
• Foster inclusive economic development growth, shared prosperity, decent work and full employment and sustainable lifestyles for all;
• Promote safe, resilient, sustainable and inclusive cities and human settlements;
• Protect the planet, fight combat the causes and impacts of climate change, use natural resources sustainably for the wellbeing of present and future generations and safeguard our terrestrial and marine ecosystems and fresh water oceans;
• Strengthen governance and accountability, and promote peaceful, safe, just and inclusive societies; and
• Revitalize and strengthen the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Comment: The nine elements are much stronger than the six pillars proposed by the Secretary-General and convey more effectively the scope and ambition of the SDGs. The WMG suggests a number of key additions to better reflect key elements of the SDGs.

TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD BY 2030: A NEW AGENDA FOR GLOBAL ACTION

Introduction

1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the 193 member States of the United Nations, meeting in New York from 25-27 September 2015 as the Organization celebrates its seventieth anniversary, have agreed today on new global goals for realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and the sustainable development of humanity and of our the planet we inhabit.

Comment: Given the historical significance of this Agenda and the fact that human rights is one of the key pillars of the United Nations, a reference to human rights and fundamental freedoms should be included, in line with the principles and purposes of the Charter (Article 1) and the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

2. On behalf of the peoples we serve, we have adopted a historic agreement on a comprehensive and far-reaching set of universal goals and targets. Our political will and commitment to fully implement this agenda If these are realized, they will transform for the better the world in which we all live.

Comment: The “If” should be eliminated because it conveys conditionality. The commitment should be made in order to take all possible measures to realize this agenda.

3. We recognize that poverty eradication is one of the greatest global challenges and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. We intend, between now and 2030, to end poverty in all its forms and hunger once and for all; to combat all inequalities, including gender inequality and discrimination of any kind, and promote redistribution of wealth, resources and power; to combat climate change, change development patterns and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its resources for future generations; and to create conditions for sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth development and shared prosperity.

Comments:
• Poverty eradication is one of multiple challenges that need to urgently be addressed to achieve sustainable development. This paragraph should include a reference to combating gender inequality, as a key-cross cutting issue, as well as climate change.
• The goal of the agenda is economic development, which should not be conflated with economic growth. Economic growth does not always lead to development, and in fact can undermine it, especially when it results in greater inequalities within and between countries. The WMG proposes changing references to economic growth to development throughout the document.

4. As we embark on this great collective journey, we pledge that nobody will be left behind. We wish strive to see the goals and targets met for all people in all their diversity. all economic and social groupings.

Comment: The focus should be kept on realizing the rights of individuals, rather than economic and social groups.

5. Having consulted widely with diverse civil society constituencies, major groups and other stakeholders, and having made a special effort to listen to the voices and concerns of the poorest people living in poverty and the vulnerable most marginalized, we are adopting a universal Agenda for sustainable development. We commit ourselves to working tirelessly for its implementation and for the attainment by 2030 of our shared vision.

Comment: It is important to acknowledge the role of civil society and major groups to the process by which the voices of people living in poverty and the most marginalized would not have arrived at the UN.
Prefer marginalized to vulnerable. Individuals’ vulnerability is largely a result of economic and social marginalization and it is critical to address the root causes rather than their manifestations.

6. This Agenda is of unprecedented scope and significance. Accepted by all countries and applicable to all, it has been agreed following two years of intensive public consultation and engagement around the world. It is the first ever global compact for human sustainable development and preservation of the planet.

Comments: Prefer sustainable development, rather than human development, or economic, social and environmental to more comprehensively capture the three interlinked areas of the sustainable development agenda.

7. This is a plan of action for people, and the planet and prosperity which also seeks to strengthen universal peace and protect, promote and fulfill human rights for all in larger freedom. It will be implemented by all of us acting in collaborative partnership. We are resolved to free all people the human race from the tyranny of poverty in all its forms while ensuring their dignity and wellbeing, want and to heal and secure our planet for future generations. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps needed to shift our practice in the world onto a sustainable footing.

Comments: Suggest keeping the focus on people and the planet. Prosperity may be an outcome, but is not the goal in and of itself. Include a reference to human rights here, which is a critical dimension of the agenda that cannot be overlooked.

8. Almost fifteen years ago, the Millennium Development Goals were agreed. These provided an important framework for development and significant progress has been made in a number of areas. But the progress has been uneven and some of the Goals remain off-track. We recommit ourselves to the full realization of the off-track MDGs. The new Sustainable Development Agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals, taking into account lessons learned, critical gaps and emerging challenges in order and seeks to complete what these did not achieve.

Comments: We suggest deleting the sentence about recommitting to the off-track MDGs, as it would need further detail to be meaningful (which MDGs in particular?) and the sentiment is covered in the final sentence.
Important to recognize that it not only builds on the MDGs, but on the lessons learned, gaps, and emerging challenges, all of which need to be taken into account to ensure that the unfinished business of the MDGs is addressed.

9. In its scope, however, the framework we are announcing today goes far beyond the MDGs with its holistic approach to sustainable development, based on three dimensions: economic, environmental and social, aiming at equilibrium among them. While including globally agreed Alongside traditional development priorities such as health, education and food security and nutrition, it sets out a wide range of economic and environmental objectives and also promises more peaceful, better governed and inclusive societies. Reflecting the holistic and integrated approach that we have agreed, there are deep interconnections and many cross-cutting elements across the new goals and targets.

Comments: The new Political Declaration must be aspirational, based on what has been achieved in the last 3 years. There is broad agreement that a comprehensive, integrated approach to sustainable development is needed that takes into account the economic, social and environmental dimensions and it is particularly important to recognize this here.

Our commitment and shared principles

10. We recall reaffirm our commitments to fully implement the outcomes of all major UN conferences and summits in economic, social and environmental fields which have laid a solid foundation for sustainable development and have helped to shape the new Agenda, including the United Nations Millennium Declaration; the 2005 World Summit Outcome; the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development; the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development; the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the key actions for its further implementation; the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and their subsequent reviews, . These include the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; the Millennium Declaration; the World Summit on Sustainable Development; the Johannesburg Declaration and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development; the Future We Want; the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ("Rio + 20"); and the latter's related follow-up intergovernmental processes. We recall also the synthesis report produced by the Secretary General of the United Nations in December 2014.

Comments:
• For consistency, we suggest using the names of the outcome documents rather than the conferences themselves.
• It is important to include the ICPD Programme of Action and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as critical contributions toward sustainable development, recognizing that their full and effective implementation will be necessary if we are to achieve the SDGs and the new sustainable development agenda. The ICPD Programme of Action, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of their review conferences have recently been reaffirmed by member states through their 20-year reviews and their links to the new agenda explicitly recognized.

11. The new Agenda is guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including full respect for international law. It is grounded also in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments such as the Declaration on the Right to Development, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the International Convention of the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. We reaffirm all the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Comments: A firm commitment to human rights must be the basis of the sustainable development agenda. In this regard, it is essential to explicitly name the key international human rights treaties.

Our world today

12. We are meeting at a time of immense challenges to sustainable development. The current extractivist model of development that is focused on economic growth rather than the wellbeing of people and the planet fosters unsustainable production and consumption at all levels. There are This, and other structural and systemic constraints to development, have resulted in rising inequalities within and between states, as well as in . There are enormous disparities of opportunity, wealth and power. Millions of people experience social and economic marginalization and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that contribute to situations of vulnerability. Gender inequality is the most pervasive form of inequality and the discrimination faced by women and girls in economic, social, political and private spheres exacerbates vulnerability, inequalities, violence and poverty for all. Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, is growing and child labour continues as a survival strategy because of the lack of decent work available for youth and adults. Spiraling conflict, violence and extremism, humanitarian crises and a growing migration challenge threaten to reverse much of the development progress made in recent decades, while environmental and human rights defenders are at constant risk. We are depleting Nnatural resources depletion and experiencing adverse impacts of environmental degradation, including drought and the prospect of irreversible climate change, which add to the list of challenges which humanity faces. The survival of many societies, and of the planet itself, is at risk.

Comments: The analysis of the world we live in today should provide a broad, factual analysis of the key challenges to sustainable development. In addition to those named, it is important to name unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, fueled by an extractivist model of development, as well as other structural constraints to development; social and economic marginalization and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, which exacerbate vulnerabilities and inequalities; and gender inequality and discrimination against women and girls. These are all cross-cutting issues that need to be addressed in the new development issues.

13. These challenges are interrelated and call for integrated solutions. To address them effectively, a new approach model of development is needed. Sustainable development recognizes that eradicating poverty and inequality in all its forms, including gender inequality, respecting, protecting and fulfilling the human rights of all people, preserving the planet and creating inclusive economic development growth are linked to each other and interdependent.

Comments:
• The idea of sustainable development is not new, but we do need a model of sustainable development that puts addressing poverty, inequality, including gender inequality, human rights and the planet at its core. As noted previously, economic growth is not the goal in and of itself: economic development that benefits all people is.
• Gender inequality and human rights should be explicitly named here because they are key cross-cutting principals that underpin the achievement of sustainable development.

14. It is for this reason that we have decided on a set of holistic, integrated and indivisible goals which balance three crucial dimensions: the economic, the social and the environmental. Furthermore, these are universal goals which transcend the traditional North/South divide and involve the entire world, rich and poor countries alike, in a new global compact for the betterment of humanity and the preservation of the planet.

Our vision
15. In the goals and targets which we have agreed, we are setting out a supremely ambitious, but achievable vision. We envisage a world free of poverty in all its forms, hunger, disease and want. A world, for example, where all people can enjoy their human rights to of safe, affordable and nutritious food; of affordable and safe drinking water and sanitation; of universal access to basic early learning, free, quality primary and secondary education and lifelong learning; of decent work and social protection; and of the highest attainable standard of physical, mental and social health and well-being. A world of universal respect for all human rights and human dignity free of discrimination, coercion and violence; of justice and equality; of respect for diversity, race and ethnicity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential while promoting shared prosperity. A world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality in all spheres of life, economic, social, political, environmental or private, in which and all barriers to their empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights in our societies have been removed. A world where decisive action has been taken to address climate change and the rise in global average temperature has been halted; where our oceans, marine resources, terrestrial ecosystems and forests are restored and protected. A just, equitable, tolerant and inclusive world. And one in which humanity lives in complete harmony with nature.

Comments:
• This should be reframed to emphasize a world in which human rights are realized. This includes the right to safe water and sanitation, as recognized in the Rio+20 outcome (para 121), and Res 64/292. The human right to water and sanitation (2010) among others.
• A key missing element of the vision is the environmental dimension, which must be addressed.

The new Agenda

16. We are announcing today 17 Goals with 169 associated targets. Never before have world leaders pledged common action and endeavour across such a broad policy agenda, which is essential for the wellbeing of all people, leaving no one behind, and the planet. We are setting out together on the path towards sustainable development, devoting ourselves collectively to the pursuit of global development and of "win-win" cooperation which can will bring huge gains to all countries, to all people and all parts of the world. We will implement the Agenda for the full benefit of all, for today's generation and for future generations. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to international law and emphasize that the Agenda will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the rights and obligations of states under international law.

17. This is an Agenda which encompasses all human rights and will promote dignity for all human beings. It will work to ensure that fundamental human rights and fundamental freedoms are enjoyed by all without discrimination on any grounds, including of race, colour, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation and gender identity, language, religion, culture, migratory status, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic situation, geographic location, HIV or health status, pregnancy status, marital status, occupation, birth, or disability.

Comments:
• The term ‘human rights and fundamental freedoms’ should be used. The deletion of ‘fundamental’ before human rights is recommended to align with binding international human rights conventions and UN declarations, e.g. Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (Art.41.1e), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Articles 13.1 & 18); several references throughout the Declaration on the Right to Development, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action; as well as para. 4 of the Millennium Declaration.
• The amendments are to reinforce an inclusive agenda that ‘leaves nobody behind’ and reflect leading grounds of discrimination found worldwide. The term ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’ is agreed inter-governmental language, for example in Resolutions 17/19 and 27/32 of the Human Rights Council of 2011 and 2014 respectively.

18. Working for Realizing gender equality, the human rights of all women and girls and their empowerment of women in all their diversities across their lifespan and girls will be make a crucial contribution to progress across all the goals and targets and must be addressed in a cross-cutting way throughout the sustainable development agenda. The achievement of full human potential and of sustainable development is not possible if one half of humanity continues to be denied their its full human rights and opportunities. This is also a basic issue of human rights. Women and girls must enjoy their rights to equal access to education and equal opportunities for employment with men and boys, and their sexual and reproductive health and rights. All forms of gender inequality, gender-based discrimination and violence against all women and children, both boys and girls, including harmful traditional practices such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation, will be combatted. Women’s and girls’ burden of unpaid care work will be reduced and redistributed and the economic rights of women and girls, including their rights to land, inheritance, and other resources, decent work and social protection, and their rights to participation and leadership in decision-making at all levels across political, social, economic and cultural life, will be upheld.

Comments: It needs to be clearer that gender equality is necessary for achieving full goals and targets and should be addressed in a cross-cutting way throughout the agenda.
• The proposed amendments to reflect the range of key elements required from a holistic approach to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, also in line with SDG targets 1.4, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, & 5a).
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will not be achieved until their sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected and protected. These are fundamental rights, inter alia, for women and girls to be able to fully participate in and contribute to poverty eradication, economic growth, and sustainable development, including to enable girls to complete their education and women to be able to lead healthy, productive lives.
• This paragraph must stay focused on violence against women and girls; a separate statement on ending all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse against children should be included elsewhere in this Declaration.

18 bis). We stress the importance of fulfilling the human rights and needs of children, adolescents and youth as well as ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes, and reaffirm our commitments to repeal laws, policies and practices that discriminate against them, based on their age, gender or that otherwise violate their rights. All forms of violence, exploitation and abuse against children and adolescents must be eliminated.

Comments: The SDGs provide limited attention to the needs and rights of these groups, especially the critical age group of adolescents--an especially strategic, sizable population group determining of pathways to poverty eradication and sustainable development for generations to come. The importance of ensuring children, adolescents and youth are meaningfully addressed across the new agenda, and throughout the SDG goals, should be reflected with a stand-alone article in the Declaration. This proposal is based on Rio+20, para. 50, and the Colombo Declaration on Youth: Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Development Agenda (2014), para. 44, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

19. The new goals and targets will come into effect on 1 January 2016 and will guide the decisions we take over the next fifteen years. All of us will work to implement the Agenda within our own countries and at the regional and global levels. We will at the same time take into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development, respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. We will respect national policies and priorities and provide adequate policy space for sustainable and inclusive development economic growth, in particular for developing states. We acknowledge also the importance of the regional dimension: regional frameworks can facilitate and contribute significantly to the effective translation of sustainable development policies into concrete action at the national level.

Comments:
• Strongly support this paragraph.
• The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be reflected in this paragraph (see Rio+20, para 15).
• A strengthened role for the regional commissions can help to advance gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ human rights, as well as sustainable development overall.

20. Each country faces specific challenges in its pursuit of sustainable development. The most vulnerable countries and, in particular, African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states deserve special attention, as do countries in situations of conflict. There are also serious challenges within many middle-income countries.

21. The new agenda commits to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of and eliminate discrimination against Vulnerable sections of the population marginalized groups, whose needs are reflected in the goals and targets including children, adolescents, youth, people living with HIV or AIDS, people of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities, people living with disability and older people; the needs of others who are vulnerable, such as migrants and indigenous peoples, and people who are socially excluded, among others. are also reflected. It also aims to support their active participation in decision-making and implementation processes across the three pillars of sustainable development. People living in areas affected by conflict, terrorism and complex humanitarian emergencies are also experiencing severe challenges that must be addressed. Women and girls in all these groups are subject to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that exacerbate their risk of exclusion and violence.

Comments: The suggested additions to this paragraph bring it in line with their existing human rights commitments as well as the commitment in the SDGs, particularly targets 10.2, 10.3, 1.4, and 1.5. It should not include a closed list, but recognize the need to protect the rights of, eliminate discrimination against and support participation of all groups.

22. We commit to providing ensure the human right to equal access to quality and inclusive education at all levels - early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary and promote life-long learning opportunities for all. All people irrespective of gender, age, race or ethnicity, or any other status, including women and girls, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, migrants, and children, adolescents and youth in vulnerable situations, should have access to quality learning that helps them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to exploit opportunities, live sustainable and healthy lifestyles and to participate fully in society. including through education on sustainable development, climate change, human rights, gender equality, comprehensive sexuality education, peace and non-violence.

Comments: The goal on education specifies “promote life-long learning opportunities for all and should be reflected. The language on promoting sustainable development, gender equality and human rights is also extracted from target 4.7. Important to incorporate the education-related targets from Goal 4 and 13, including those that are cross-cutting. Include a reference to comprehensive sexuality education as a critical element that can change gender norms and contribute to health and wellbeing.

23. To achieve the new Agenda, the human right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health must be fulfilled for all. To extend life expectancy, ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, we must achieve universal health coverage to ensure that universal access to health services for all people without the risk of financial hardship. No one must be left behind. We commit to accelerating the progress made to date in reducing infant, child and maternal mortality and morbidity by ending all preventable deaths and injuries of infants, children and pregnant women and adolescent girls expectant mothers by 2030. We shall ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services, including for family planning, information and education for all. We will equally accelerate the pace of progress made in fighting malaria, HIVIAIDS, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases and epidemics. At the same time we shall devote greater effort to tackling non-communicable diseases, improving mental health, and addressing social and environmental determinants of health, including pollution, and road traffic accidents, among others.

Comments: Suggested edits bring in additional elements from the SDGs that warrant recognition, particularly targets 3.5, 3.6, and 3.9, as well as track more closely to the ambition of the goal, which is to “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.”

24. We will seek to build strong economic foundations for all our countries. Sustained, sustainable and inclusive development economic growth is essential for prosperity. We will work to build dynamic, sustainable and people-centred economies, promoting youth employment in particular and decent work for all. All countries stand to benefit from having a healthy and well-educated workforce with the knowledge and skills needed for productive and fulfilling work and full and meaningful participation in society. We will therefore adopt policies which increase productivity and productive employment and ensure decent work; financial inclusion; social protection floors; agricultural and industrial development with a focus on sustainable agricultural methods; sustainable, affordable, multimodal, accessible and inclusive public transport systems and modern, socially and environmentally sound and zero fossil fuel energy provision.

Comment: Sustained, sustainable and inclusive should remain together as in the beginning. Also, change to development because sustained growth is not necessary in all countries; in some it is a redistribution of existing wealth that is needed.

25. We commit to making fundamental changes in the way that our societies produce and consume goods and services. We recognize our different levels of development and capabilities and agree to work together to mobilize, from all sources, financial, technical and capacity-building support for developing countries. Governments are primarily responsible for implementing the agenda. International organizations, and the business sector engaged in sustainable development efforts shall operate under the highest labor, human rights, gender equality and sustainability standards, and will undergo an ex-ante assessment to ensure compliance., Other non­state actors and individuals must will also contribute and mechanisms will be established to ensure their inclusive and meaningful participation. All actors should commit to promote the transition towards changing unsustainable consumption and production patterns. This includes changing the trade, investment and finance regimes that support unsustainable consumption and production patterns with perverse subsidies, trade barriers, or in some cases, trade liberalization. Illicit financial flows and tax evasion must cease. It also includes shifting financial flows to discontinue investment in fossil fuels and to increase public financing, transfer of and domestic support for socially and ecologically sound technology and investments in low-carbon solutions in all relevant sectors. Tax, aid, debt, trade and systemic issues have specific purpose of achieving human rights and sustainable development framing and thus should be acknowledged as central for the thorough implementation of this Agenda. We recognize our different levels of development and capabilities and agree to work together to mobilize, from all sources, financial, technical and capacity-building support for developing countries. Public resources will be the main source to finance this agenda.


Comments:
• The current economic and financial dynamics are structural obstacle to the achievement of the sustainable development Agenda.
• Trade liberalization has negative distributional effects, including regressive shifts in the distribution of wealth and income that have been found to occur in both developed and developing countries that undergo large-scale trade reforms (Harrison, McLaren and McMillan 2011: 261). The economic concentration produced under trade agreements has worked to the advantage a relatively small number of the largest, most powerful firms at the expense of smaller firms, leading to even more increased market concentration in PTA partner countries (Baccini et al 2015).
• The latest Global Financial Integrity report states that in 2013, Southern countries lost $1 Trillion a Year due to Illicit Capital Flows, and that is 7 Times the Volume of Aid.
• Financial flows cannot be connected to the fossil fuel system that has been the cause of the climate change devastating effects: this is the only way in which effective incentives will accelerate the urgent shift the world needs.

26. We recognize that sustainable urban development and management are crucial to the quality of life of our people. We will work with local authorities and communities to renew and inclusively plan our cities so as to foster community cohesion, gender equality, accessibility, and personal security and safety and to stimulate innovation, and employment and decent work. We will reduce the negative impacts of urban activities and enhance the positive sustainable development potential in an urbanizing world, including through the safe management and use of chemicals, the reduction and recycling of waste and more efficient use of water and energy and water, including by the establishment of a hierarchy of water uses to prioritize human and ecosystem well-being. And wWe will work implement plans to build resilience to disasters and to minimize the impact of cities on the global climate system through mitigation actions.

Comments: Well-planned, inclusive, diverse cities also make a positive contribution to SD. Gender equality is not currently listed in Goal 11, neither is decent work. Goal 11 refers to plans towards mitigation and adaptation, disaster resilience. Mentioning them here in the Declaration demonstrates the interconnected and cross-cutting nature indicated in Para 9.

27. We are determined to address decisively the threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation. The global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international cooperation aimed at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions below catastrophic levels: strong efforts can be made to remain below 1.5 degrees. It also requires building resilience and adaptive capacity, especially for women and girls, that responds to the most vulnerable countries, communities and populations. Looking ahead to the COP 21 conference in Paris in December, we underscore the historic responsibility of all developed countries for climate change and the imperative for all States to work for a meaningful and universal climate agreement which requires fair, equitable and ambitious mitigation commitments in line with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. The agreement which will put in place this essential component of a sustainable world. We must also safeguard our oceans and seas, protect biodiversity and promote resilience and disaster preparedness for all people.

Comments: Climate change is about both mitigation and adaptation. This paragraph needs to fully recognize CBDR. Climate change should stand on its own, with other environmental issues also getting more robust attention in the following paragraph.

27 bis We further commit to halt biodiversity loss and address desertification and unsustainable land use. We must protect wildlife, safeguard forests and mountains and reduce disaster risk and build resiliencies. We must protect our oceans, seas, rivers and atmosphere as our global heritage and achieve climate justice. We must promote sustainable agriculture, fisheries and food systems; foster sustainable management of water resources and of waste and chemicals; foster renewable and more efficient energy; decouple economic growth from environmental degradation; advance sustainable industrialization and resilient infrastructure; ensure sustainable consumption and production; and achieve sustainable management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems and land use.

Comments: The environmental aspects get short shrift in this document and need to be further fleshed out. The suggested new paragraph is based on key commitments in the SDGs and paragraph 75 of the Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report.

28. Sustainable development cannot be realized without peace. The new Agenda recognizes the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies, based on respect for, protection and fulfillment of all human rights (including the right to development and non-discrimination), the rule of law and effective and accountable institutions. We recognize that women's participation in all stages of the peace-building process and in post-conflict reconstruction is an essential condition for building peaceful societies, as well as protecting women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict. It is also essential to protect the rights of all children during conflicts; the recruitment of child soldiers is a form of violence that must be eliminated. These are fundamental requirements for the achievement of sustainable development. Factors which give rise to violence, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption, unsustainable resource use, poor governance and human rights violations, are addressed in the Agenda. We must redouble our efforts to resolve or prevent conflict and to support countries emerging from conflict situations so as to lay the foundations for sustainable development. We commit to remove the obstacles to the full realization of the right of self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social development as well as their environment.

Comments: The fundamental importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding is an omission in the SDGs that should be recognized in the political declaration, in accordance with UNSC res. 1325. The rights of children are addressed in the Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) on Children and armed conflict

28 bis. We recommit to protect freedom of association, expression, assembly and political participation if it is to ensure an enabling environment for an empowered civil society, and protect human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, as central agents in translating the post-2015 development agenda and other commitments on sustainable development into lived realities.

Comments: These are critical elements essential for the implementation of Goal 16 and its related targets, as well as providing a fundamental basis for the overall successful implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. Human Rights defenders, particularly women human rights defenders, will play a critical role in ensuring accountability for post-2015 and should be protected. See for example, A/RES/68/181 on the Promotion of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

29. We recognize the intrinsic value of diversity, culture and sport as enablers of sustainable development. We acknowledge the natural and cultural diversity of the world and recognize that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to sustainable development and the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. We pledge to foster inter­cultural understanding, tolerance, mutual respect and an ethic of global citizenship and shared responsibility.

Comments: Suggest inserting a reference to human rights here as a key dimension of the new agenda.


Implementation
30. The new Agenda deals also with the means required for implementation of the goals and targets. We recognize that these will require the mobilization of financial resources (both public and private, domestic and international) as well as capacity-building, the transfer of environmentally and socially safe and sound technologies and a wide range of other supportive policies and measures, as well as mechanisms to ensure accountability. Business, tThe private sector and philanthropic organizations will feature prominently are taken into account in relation to resource mobilization, with appropriate accountability measures to ensure compliance with human rights, labor rights and standards, gender equality and environmental standards, but predictable public funding is the priority, and strong governance, along with inclusive processes to ensure the participation of civil society and all major groups, particularly women, indigenous peoples, workers, children, adolescents and youth, are key for the implementation of the Agenda.
Comments: Predictable public resources must be prioritized over public-private partnerships, due to the lack of accountability of the private sector and the fact that sustainable development is the primary responsibility of the state.

31. We welcome and endorse fully the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Addis Ababa from 13-16 July 2015 and commit to implement it in a way that contributes to the achievement of this agenda.

32. Official Development Assistance remains important in supporting the sustainable development needs of countries and regions, in particular least developed countries, small island developing states and Africa. It also ODA remains a critical tool for addressing inequalities in middle income countries, which have the highest numbers of people living in poverty. We shall accelerate full implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway and the Vienna Programmne of Action for Land-Locked Developing Countries.

Comments: The greatest inequalities exist in middle income countries, which have the highest numbers of people living in poverty. Moving from low income to middle income classifications does not mean reduction in the number of people living in poverty, nor does it mean that social inequalities have been addressed, nor that human rights of all have been recognized, protected and fulfilled. As such, ODA remains critical for Middle Income Countries.

33. We recognize the central role that science, technology and innovation play in enabling the international community to respond to sustainable development challenges and the importance of the transfer, development and participatory assessment of technologies, to ensure that they contribute to the achievement of gender justice, environmental sustainability and economic equity. We recognize the power of communications technologies, technical cooperation and capacity-building for sustainable development. We also reaffirm the importance of endogenous and indigenous knowledge systems and technologies, which are proven pathways for sustainability and must be encouraged and protected.

Comments: “Technology development and transfer” is agreed language in many international agreements such as the UNFCCC, CBD, Desertification Convention, 1992 Rio Principles, 2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, 2012 Rio+20 Outcome Document, 2002 Monterrey FFD.
“Assessment” brings the quality dimension to truly address sustainable development issues. Indigenous knowledge systems and technologies are ways in which the Means of Implementation also address indigenous peoples human rights and promote sustainable development processes.

33.bis We also recognize the importance of strengthening international, regional and national capacities in research and technology assessment, especially in view of the rapid development and possible deployment of new technologies that may also have unintended negative impacts, in particular on biodiversity and health, or other unforeseen consequences.

Comments: New paragraph based on paragraph 275 of The Future We Want, however it could also be incorporated into para 33.

34. We are committed to a well-functioning, equitable and rules-based multilateral trading system for the realization of the new Agenda that is aligned with human rights, gender equality and sustainable development criteria. We resolve to work together to enhance macro-economic and financial stability and the regulation of global financial flows through improved policy coordination and coherence. We resolve to reach early agreement in the Doha Development Round of trade negotiations. We attach great importance to providing trade-related capacity-building for least developed countries.

Comments: The current trading system undermines human rights. It also has a negative gender impact tied to the discrimination and inequalities women experience in almost every realm of public and private life, including inequality in education, training, access to resources, productive inputs, and the distribution of income, as well as gender stereotypes that assume that women are unsuited to more highly valued forms of work. The multilateral trading system also needs to be coherent to face the challenge of sustainable development, as is also addressed in the FfD platform. As of now, without a coherent regulatory framework, it reproduces inequalities between countries. One example of it refers to subsidies for industries in developed countries, whereas in the developing countries, many restrictions diminish their right to development.

35. We acknowledge the need for recognize that international financial institutions must to respect the domestic policy space of all countries, in particular developing countries and least developed countries. We agree to work to increase the representation of developing countries, and their involvement in decision­making, in these institutions. We commit to promote that these institutions are fully aligned with human rights, gender equality and sustainable development principles.

Comments: IFIs operate without any regulatory framework that ensures a systematical work under these principles. They do have safeguards, but these are partial, narrow in scope, have no rigorous framework of accountability and their reporting are therefore weak in terms of actual impacts. The sustainable development shift shows that there is a need for a coherent framework for IFIs.

36. The scale and ambition of the new Agenda calls for a renewed and strengthened Global Partnership to implement it. This Partnership will work in a spirit of global solidarity among nations, in particular solidarity with the poorest people living in poverty and the vulnerable most marginalized, but also to promote structural solutions to our current challenges. Extreme concentration of wealth challenges global dynamics, and therefore systemic measures will need to be implemented to redress the unequal wealth distribution that is leaving the majority of the population behind and ensure the permanence of this Agenda. It The Global Partnership will facilitate an intensive global engagement in support of implementation of the goals and targets, bringing together Governments, the private sector, civil society, major groups, the United Nations system and other actors including the meaningful participation of women’s, feminist and community-based organizations, as well as girls, boys, adolescents, and youth and mobilizing all available resources. Inclusive actions multi-stakeholder partnerships will be needed to support specific priorities under the Agenda and to mobilize the requisite resources. Partners must share congruent aims. Provision of essential services must be the primary responsibility of States and cannot be subjugated to a profit motive; sectors including health, education, water, sanitation and access to energy must remain under public control bearing in mind principles of inclusion, participation, non-discrimination, and accountability.

Comments: The Global Partnership is a space for Member States, in the logic of solidarity between nations. As such, it should not be confused with the dimension of those who will be the beneficiaries of the Partnership (citizenship, or “people”). In this regard, a principle of solidarity and the sum of political will may address at the multilateral level the structural challenges that governments cannot face in their own national capacity, such as the concentration of wealth, inequalities and the uneven dynamics in the economic and financial systems.

37. We emphasize more generally the critical importance of engaging all relevant stakeholders and rights-holders in implementation of the new Agenda. Governments and public institutions will work closely in this regard with national parliaments, local authorities, international institutions, business and the private sector, civil society, academia, philanthropic organizations, voluntary groups and others. Governments will regulate the role of business, private sector and corporate philanthropies in implementing the new Agenda to ensure accountability and compliance with human rights, labor rights and standards, gender equality and environmental standards.

Comments: Governments are duty bearers, and as such they have the main responsibility for implementation. Civil society (citizens, NGO’s, Major Groups, academia and others) are rights-holders, exercising its social and political rights while engaging in the implementation of the agenda alongside their governments. The private sector is an actor that, experience shows, has had negative social and environmental impacts due to its profit-oriented nature: it is not in the private sector nature to promote public good (that evidently falls under the realm of States).

Follow-up and review
38. Our Governments will be responsible for follow-up, and review, and accountability at the national, regional and global levels, in relation to monitor the progress made in implementing the goals and targets over the coming fifteen years. To support this accountability, provision has been made -and is detailed in Chapter 4 below- for systematic follow-up and review of implementation at the various levels. We foresee this process as an opportunity for a constructive dialogue between governments, major groups, civil society, and other stakeholders under the renewed Global partnership for development that leads to normative and policy change and accelerated progress in implementing the agenda.

38 bis. Follow up and review processes at all levels, including global, regional, and national and local, will promote joint and mutual accountability of all actors involved in implementing the post-2015 development agenda. They should be regular, inclusive, transparent, participatory and effective. They will also be based on principles of respect for and protection and fulfillment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

Comments: Mutual accountability will reinforce the principle of universality.

38 ter. Our governments will ensure, by means of internal and global regulation, an ex ante assessment of the private sector actions to promote accountability, including transnational corporations, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, for their social and environmental impacts, as well as compliance with human rights, gender equality and labor standards.

Comments: Private sector has a profit-based nature, so public good or environmental sustainability have not been under their premises for action. In order to promote a thorough implementation, a comprehensive regulation should take place. Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council. Elaboration of an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. 14 July 2014. A/HRC/RES/26/9

39. We look forward to the development of indicators to assist this work and stress that they should match the level of ambition contained within the sustainable development goals and all 169 targets. Quality disaggregated data by age, sex, gender, geography, income level, race and ethnicity, at a minimum, will be needed to help with the measurement of progress. All goals will be properly and timely measured and monitored by States in partnership and with participation of civil society, including women’s and feminist organizations, through institutionalized mechanisms to ensure widespread participation. We also commit to scaling up substantially public-private cooperation to exploit the contribution to be made by a wide range of data, including geo-spatial information and data from third party sources, in supporting and tracking progress.

Comments: Disaggregated indicators will help the aim to leave no one behind, and to ensure that the goals will be met for everyone. It should be ensured that the choice of indicators does not lead to a de facto ‘renegotiation’ of the targets, by leaving out indicators for targets which might be essential to achieve a real transformation towards sustainable development for all.

A call for action to change our world
40. Seventy years ago, an earlier generation of world leaders came together to create the United Nations. From the ashes of war and division they fashioned this Organization and the values of peace, dialogue and international cooperation which underpin it. The supreme embodiment of those values is the Charter of the United Nations.

41. Today we are taking a decision of comparable significance. Ours can be the first generation to succeed in fully realizing the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people without distinction of any kind, ending poverty in all its forms, and starting a path towards the redistribution of wealth and resources for a more sustainable and just world; just as we are the last to have a chance of saving the planet. We have resolved to build a better future for millions of people in our world, millions who have been denied the chance to lead decent, dignified and rewarding lives and to achieve their full human potential. The world will be a better place in 2030 if we succeed in our objectives.

42. What we are announcing today -an agenda for global action for the next fifteen years -is a future-looking charter for the well being and prosperity of people and planet in the twenty-first century.

43. "We the Peoples" are the celebrated opening words of the UN Charter. It is "We the Peoples" who are embarking today on the road to 2030. Our journey will involve Governments, Parliaments, local authorities, civil society, non-governmental organizations, business and the private sector, the scientific and academic community, civil society ­ and ordinary citizens. Millions have already engaged with, and will own, this agenda. It is an agenda by and for the people -and this, we believe, will ensure its success.

44. The responsibility for the future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today's younger generation, who will pass the torch to future generations. We have mapped the road to sustainable development; it will be for all of us to ensure that the journey is irreversible.


I. Sustainable Development Goals and targets

1. Following an inclusive process of intergovernmental negotiations, and based on the Proposal of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals 1, the following are the Goals and targets which we have agreed.

2. The SDGs and targets are integrated and indivisible, global in nature and universally applicable, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. Targets are defined as aspirational and global, with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances.

3. The goals and targets will be followed-up and reviewed using a set of global indicators. These shall be complemented by indicators at the regional and national level to be developed by member states in coherence with previous commitments on human rights, gender equality, economic and social development and environmental sustainability. Under the guidance of the Economic and Social Council and the UN Statistical Commission, the global indicator framework will be developed by the Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators and will be finalised by March 2016, through an inclusive process, including with the systematic, meaningful and institutionalized input by civil society. This framework will be simple yet robust, address all SDGs and targets and preserve the political balance and ambition contained therein.

4. It is important to recognize the link between sustainable development and other relevant ongoing processes such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought particularly in Africa, the third Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and the United Nations Forum on Forests.

5. We encourage ongoing efforts by states in other fora to address key issues which pose potential challenges to the implementation of our Agenda; and we respect the independent mandates of those processes. We intend that the Agenda and its implementation would support, and be without prejudice to, those other processes and the decisions taken therein.






















1 Contained in A 68/L.61 'Report of the Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals'.


II. Means of Implementation and the Global Partnership3

Comments: The Recommendations of the Women’s Major Group are provisional, based on the outcome of the Addis Ababa Accord and are likely to change.

1. Successful implementation of the SDGs and targets require an ambitious set of means of implementation and a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. We therefore welcome and endorse fully the Addis Ababa Accord on the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.

2. We recognise that each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development and that the role of national policies and development strategies cannot be overemphasised. At the same time, national development efforts need to be supported by an enabling international economic environment.

3. We reaffirm our strong commitment to support Africa's development. We shall accelerate full implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action, the SAMOA Pathway and the Vienna Programme of Action. We recognize the need to help countries in situations of conflict and post­ conflict to address their specific challenges and priorities. We also acknowledge the specific challenges facing middle-income countries.

4. We will ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources and create sound policy frameworks to support accelerated investment in this Agenda.

5. Domestic public resources mobilization will continue to be crucial, and therefore the multilateral dimension is fundamental so that the economy of no country is harmed while mobilising tax resources when dealing with transnational corporations. We acknowledge the power and reach of financial inclusion. We note also the critical importance of private finance and we call on businesses to apply their creativity and innovation and to engage as partners actors in the development process while fully respecting human rights, as well as labor, gender equality and environmental standards and rights. International public finance remains key and the fulfillment of all ODA commitments is essential to complement domestic resources.

6. Efforts will be required to support international trade, aligned with trade safe-guards, as an engine for development and to address debt and debt sustainability as well as key systemic issues. Commitments to harness the critical contribution to sustainable development of science, technology, innovation and capacity building are also essential. Transfer of technology will be an important dimension. We will seek to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable disaggregated data, including by sex, race, ethnicity, age, disability, geographical location and income gender, in support of the Agenda and its means of implementation.

7. Successful implementation will also depend on the resources, knowledge and ingenuity of business, civil society, the scientific community, academia, research institutions, philanthropists and foundations, parliaments, local authorities, volunteers, local communities, including women, girls, boys, adolescents, and youth and other stakeholders. Resources shall be of zero fossil-fuels nature in origin, transit and destiny. We urge all to embrace our commitment to sustainable development, including by directing investments and activities towards areas that contribute to sustainable development and away from harmful, unsustainable ones.

8. The following means of implementation were agreed by the Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals and targets:









III. Follow-up and Review

1. A robust, effective, inclusive and transparent follow-up and review framework, operating at the national, regional and global levels, will promote effective implementation of this Agenda and accountability to our citizens people.

2. All member states will engage voluntarily in review processes, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities. As national ownership is key to achieving sustainable development, outcomes from national-level processes will inform reviews at both regional and global levels. Review processes must promote mutual accountability so that non-state actors, including the private sector, international financial institutions and UN agencies, are also held accountable to their development commitments and their impacts.

3. Follow-up and review processes shall be guided by the following principles:

a. They will be results-oriented and address progress in implementing the goals and targets, including the means of implementation, in a manner which respects their integrated and inter-related nature and which contributes to the realization of human rights, equality, including gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
b. They will maintain a longer-term orientation, identify achievements and critical success factors, support countries in making informed policy choices and mobilize the necessary means of implementation and partnerships;
c. They will be open, transparent, and inclusive, participatory, and responsive supported by an enabling environment for the participation of all people and stakeholders as rights holders, as well as major groups, civil society organizations and other constituencies.
c bis. They will ensure the accountability of all stakeholders involved in implementing the agenda, including international organizations, the private sector, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and others and will assess their human rights, gender equality, social and environmental impacts.
d. They will build on existing platforms and processes, including human rights accountability mechanisms, evolve over time and minimize the reporting burden on national administrations.
e. They will be rigorous and evidence-based, informed by qualitative and quantitative data which is timely, reliable and disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migrant status, disability, geographic location, at a minimum, as well as and other characteristics relevant in national contexts. Support for developing countries, particularly LDCs, to strengthen national data systems is critical.

National Level

4. Building on existing reporting and planning instruments, such as national sustainable development strategies, as well as national legal frameworks, we encourage all member states to develop ambitious national responses to the SDGs and targets as soon as possible. National-level reviews should be the cornerstone of accountability for the Post-2015 Agenda. They should have institutionalized mechanisms for inclusive, meaningful and effective participation of civil society organizations including, women’s, feminist, and youth organizations, trade unions and other constituencies, and other constituencies, with appropriate and adequate capacity building and promote an ongoing dialogue between duty-bearers, right-holders and other stakeholders.

5. Each member state should could, at least once every four years, conduct robust and inclusive reviews of progress and publish a report. This review should be participatory, based on a publicly available government data progress report and complemented by with contributions from civil society, including national human rights institutions, as well as women’s, feminist, youth and community-based groups, and social movements, academia, local government, the UN system, private sector and other actors. National Parliaments can play an important role in review processes as well as other national institutions such as National Sustainable Development Councils, National Human Rights Institutions, and local authorities. These reports should be publically available in formats and languages accessible to all vulnerable groups, including children, youth, people with disabilities, and those belonging to minority ethnic and linguistic groups. Independent assessments by civil society organizations and other actors should be encouraged.

Regional Level

6. Follow-up and review at the regional level can, as appropriate, provide useful opportunities for mutual learning, cooperation on trans-boundary issues, and discussion on shared targets. Regional reviews, including peer reviews, can draw on national-level reviews and contribute to follow-up and review at the global level, including at the High Level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF). MoI will also be monitored at the regional level, as well as progress towards the fulfillment of existing regional human rights, gender equality, economic and social development, and environmental sustainability commitments. Regional follow up and review mechanisms will guarantee the inclusive, meaningful and effective participation of civil society, other constituencies and major groups, and it will promote an ongoing dialogue between duty-bearers, right-holders and other stakeholders.

7. We encourage all member states to identify the most suitable regional forum in which to engage, using existing regional mechanisms including UN regional commissions where possible. We encourage the HLPF, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), to discuss, at its meeting in 2016, progress in establishing regional reviews of the Agenda.

Global Level

8. The HLPF will be primary mechanism for accountability and review at the global level, the apex of a global network of review processes, working coherently with the General Assembly, ECOSOC, Human Rights Council and Treaty Bodies and other relevant actors, in accordance with existing mandates. It will facilitate sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, and promote system-wide coherence and coordination of sustainable development policies. Adequate linkages will be made with the follow-up and review of UN Conferences on LDCs, SIDS, LLDCs and countries in special situations, as well as the FfD framework.

9. We reaffirm that the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, shall carry out regular reviews of progress in line with Resolution 67/290. Reviews will be voluntary, while encouraging reporting, and include developed and developing countries as well as relevant UN entities. They shall be State­led, involving ministerial and other relevant high-level participants and draw on existing best practices, such as the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review. They shall focus on assessment of progress, achievements and challenges faced by developed and developing countries, based on reliable, evidence-based and verifiable data. They shall also and provide a platform for partnerships, including through the meaningful, institutionalized and effective participation of major groups, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.

10. Thematic reviews of progress may also take place at the HLPF and in other inter-governmental forums, including the ECOSOC functional commissions and other relevant subsidiary bodies and mechanisms. These reviews will be aligned with the cycle and work of the HLPF, where possible.

11. Sufficient time should also be given at the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, to review progress on implementing the means of implementation of this Agenda [to be updated following the Third International Conference on Financing for Development].

12. Follow-up and reviews at the HLPF would will be informed by the Global Sustainable Development Report, the scope and methodology of which will be agreed as soon as possible. An annual SDG Progress Report will be prepared by the UN Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG indicators, based on data from national statistical systems that is reliable and verifiable. They will also be informed by member state reports that are developed through national accountability processes; reports from regional follow up and review processes; national stakeholder reports and reports from major groups, recognized constituencies and rights-holders; as well as United Nations reports, summarizing the assessment of UN agencies; and the outcomes of other relevant reviews.

13. Meeting every four years under the auspices of the General Assembly, the HLPF will provide high­level political guidance on the agenda and its implementation, identify progress and emerging challenges and mobilize further actions to accelerate implementation. The next HLPF, under the auspices of the General Assembly, will take place in 2019, with the cycle of meetings thus reset, in order to maximize coherence with the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review process.

14. In line with Resolution 67/290, the HLPF will support meaningful participation and further elaborate modalities for the enhanced participation of in follow up and review processes by civil society, the major groups, the UN System, relevant multi-stakeholder partnerships, the private sector and other stakeholders in follow up and review processes.

15. We also welcome the on-going ECOSOC Dialogues on the Longer Term Positioning of the UN Development System and look forward to discussing these issues in the forthcoming Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review process, as the main vehicle to give guidance to the UN system's country level work.

16. We request the Secretary General to prepare guidelines for national and regional reports and review processes. We also request the Secretary General to provide recommendations on the organizational arrangements for state-led reviews at the HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC, including steps to improve complementarity, coherence and efficiency of follow-up and review processes at the global level in the area of sustainable development.










Please direct any questions or media interviews to the following contacts:


Eleanor Blomstrom
WMG Organizing Partner & WEDO
[e-mail]

Nurgul Djanaeva
WMG Organizing Partner & Forum of Women's NGOs of Kyrgyzstan
[e-mail]

Shannon Kowalski
WMG Organizing Partner & IWHC
[e-mail]