Norway
Statement by Norway on the Declaration (February session):
1) On format and tone:
What kind of declaration do we need?
What we would like to see is a short and inspiring declaration, that is able to motivate people to action
It should provide a vision of where we want to be in 2030, communicate that a transformative shift is needed, and reiterate our commitment to key values and principles.
What we don’t need is a long, traditional UN document that covers everything, but inspires no one, - and that will hardly be read by anyone outside this building.
We should avoid overloading the declaration with repeating or reformulating what is already in the proposed goals and targets or will be covered in the other parts of the post-2015 agenda.
In this sense, we are in a better position than when the Millennium Declaration was drafted 15 years ago, remembering that the MDGs had not yet been elaborated at the time.
2) On key elements of the declaration:
Of the six proposed parts in your elements paper, we believe 1, 2 and 5 contain the essential substance.
• We agree that Part 1 of the declaration should provide a vision for 2030 – for the tomorrow we want. Where extreme poverty is eradicated in a sustainable and lasting manner.
• Part 2 should underline why getting there requires a transformative shift – to a truly universal agenda based on the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development. An agenda for shared prosperity that leaves no one behind, based on shared responsibility and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• And part 5 in your elements paper – which should move up to become a new part 3 – should contain a reiteration of and renewed commitment to the key values and principles that are fundamental for human dignity and sustainable development, including universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, non-discrimination, good governance and environmental stewardship .
We are less sure how much of what is currently covered in parts 3 and 4 we really need to include in the declaration. Keeping in mind that the outcome document from the Summit in September will deal separately with issues of means of implementation, global partnership, follow-up and review, we may want to limit these parts to stating some key principles.
3) On process/way forward:
We do not think it will be wise to start deliberating on a draft declaration before we have discussed all the four proposed elements of the post-2015 agenda. We must avoid a process where all of us insist on having all our respective priority issues covered in the declaration, because we don’t know how well they will be covered elsewhere. We therefore strongly urge that no draft declaration is distributed before a full zero draft of all four elements is presented after the May session. We hope therefore, that what you plan to share with us later this week will be a revised elements paper, not a draft declaration.
Thank you
1) On format and tone:
What kind of declaration do we need?
What we would like to see is a short and inspiring declaration, that is able to motivate people to action
It should provide a vision of where we want to be in 2030, communicate that a transformative shift is needed, and reiterate our commitment to key values and principles.
What we don’t need is a long, traditional UN document that covers everything, but inspires no one, - and that will hardly be read by anyone outside this building.
We should avoid overloading the declaration with repeating or reformulating what is already in the proposed goals and targets or will be covered in the other parts of the post-2015 agenda.
In this sense, we are in a better position than when the Millennium Declaration was drafted 15 years ago, remembering that the MDGs had not yet been elaborated at the time.
2) On key elements of the declaration:
Of the six proposed parts in your elements paper, we believe 1, 2 and 5 contain the essential substance.
• We agree that Part 1 of the declaration should provide a vision for 2030 – for the tomorrow we want. Where extreme poverty is eradicated in a sustainable and lasting manner.
• Part 2 should underline why getting there requires a transformative shift – to a truly universal agenda based on the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development. An agenda for shared prosperity that leaves no one behind, based on shared responsibility and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• And part 5 in your elements paper – which should move up to become a new part 3 – should contain a reiteration of and renewed commitment to the key values and principles that are fundamental for human dignity and sustainable development, including universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, non-discrimination, good governance and environmental stewardship .
We are less sure how much of what is currently covered in parts 3 and 4 we really need to include in the declaration. Keeping in mind that the outcome document from the Summit in September will deal separately with issues of means of implementation, global partnership, follow-up and review, we may want to limit these parts to stating some key principles.
3) On process/way forward:
We do not think it will be wise to start deliberating on a draft declaration before we have discussed all the four proposed elements of the post-2015 agenda. We must avoid a process where all of us insist on having all our respective priority issues covered in the declaration, because we don’t know how well they will be covered elsewhere. We therefore strongly urge that no draft declaration is distributed before a full zero draft of all four elements is presented after the May session. We hope therefore, that what you plan to share with us later this week will be a revised elements paper, not a draft declaration.
Thank you
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