Post-2015 Inter-governmental negotiations on outcome document
Friday 24 July 2015
Statement by the Kingdom of the Netherlands
I have the honor to make this statement on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We would like to align ourselves with the statement made by the European Union and add a few brief remarks in our national capacity
Co-facilitators,
As you have said we need to get this section right. Monitoring, accountability and review is the foundation of our post-2015 home. We should not build our common home on loose sand, but on the steady rock of accountability, participation and transparency.
As others have expressed we feel this section should be strengthened.
We would highlight the following points.
- Firstly, participation is at the heart of our agenda. An inclusive approach to implementation as well as monitoring and accountability is a critical condition for success of our common endeavor. We need all actors on board for successful implementation and accountability for progress on the SDGs. In this regard the EU has made a number of very helpful text suggestions that we fully align with.
- Secondly, one of the key priorities of our agenda is making sure that no one is left behind. To be able to do that we need to focus in our monitoring efforts on tracking progress of those that are furthest behind. That is why we have suggested an additional principle for follow up and review in paragraph 57 "to have a particular focus on progress for the poorest, most vulnerable, marginalized groups and others that are furthest behind." Including this principle will strengthen the base supporting our post-2015 home.
- One final note on the work that is ongoing in the technical process to develop indicators. We believe that the indicators, both quantitative and qualitative, that will come out of this technical process should match the level of ambition contained in the SDGs and all targets.
I thank you.
