Republic of Korea
Statement by Ambassador Hahn Choonghee
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
to the United Nations
Declaration Session, Intergovernmental Negotiations on the
Post-2015 Development Agenda
17 February 2015, New York
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator,
First of all, I would like to thank the co-facilitators for providing us
with the elements paper for the Declaration. This well-structured
elements paper encapsulates many of the central themes of our
discussion during the stocktaking session in January and will be a
useful starting point to work with. I commend your leadership and
stewardship.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
The political significance of the Declaration cannot be
overemphasized. We need a concise, communicable, and
compelling Declaration of political caliber that can help to amplify
our vision and philosophy for the future we want across the globe.
The Declaration has to be a vehicle for delivering a strong political
message to the public on why we all should work together for this
once-in-a-life-time and historic global agenda. It should provide
motivation to the people and incentivise the private sector
including the business community to take more interest in this
work.
I would also like to emphasize that the Declaration should contain
the visionary narrative that explains how far we came, where we
are, and where we go from here.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
I would like to emphasize the importance of communication,
particularly to the general public who are actual beneficiaries as
well as owners of our goals. In order for the public to understand
our work, specifically, we should make it clear that we are
developing a new set of global and sustainable development
goals, taking into account past achievements and the changing
international environment.
The unfinished work of the MDGs needs to be completed, but
further work is needed. The key is to achieve sustainable
development, and this requires all of us to transform our world in
all aspects. The Declaration should reaffirm that the post-2015
development framework is universal, transformative, and inclusive.
In this regard, we believe the six Essential Elements of the UN
Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report can be instrumental in
drafting the Declaration.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
People and planet should be the core elements of the Declaration,
as we envision a dignified life across the economic, social, and
environmental dimensions. Equitable and inclusive economic
growth as well as transition to a green economy should also be
included. Our Declaration should also give a strong impetus to
the December COP21 meeting in Paris so that a new climate
architecture could be agreed.
The Declaration can draw on the unswerving principles of the
Millennium Declaration, including human rights, equality, solidarity,
and shared responsibility. Social protection for vulnerable and
marginalized groups, youth employment, and alleviation of
income inequality are equally important. Education, health care,
and gender equality as well as good governance, capable
institutions, and the rule of law should all be reflected in the
Declaration as key elements. To secure an inclusive and
peaceful society, the importance of global citizenship education,
which can understand tolerance, mutual respect and
understanding, needs to be emphasized as well.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
A transformative agenda calls for a genuine partnership based on
global solidarity. In this regard, the Republic of Korea would like
to see the Declaration make a clear reference to the principles of
the Busan Global Partnership for Effective Development
Cooperation (GPEDC) such as national ownership, results focus,
inclusive partnerships, transparency and mutual accountability. A
need to establish a robust monitoring and review mechanism at
global as well as national levels should also be mentioned as an
overarching principle.
Last but not least, the Declaration should also clearly express the
commitment of all stakeholders, including political leaders, civil
society, NGOs, and the private sector, to joining our march
together towards a shared vision of leaving no one behind.
I thank you Mr. Co-facilitator. /END/
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
to the United Nations
Declaration Session, Intergovernmental Negotiations on the
Post-2015 Development Agenda
17 February 2015, New York
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator,
First of all, I would like to thank the co-facilitators for providing us
with the elements paper for the Declaration. This well-structured
elements paper encapsulates many of the central themes of our
discussion during the stocktaking session in January and will be a
useful starting point to work with. I commend your leadership and
stewardship.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
The political significance of the Declaration cannot be
overemphasized. We need a concise, communicable, and
compelling Declaration of political caliber that can help to amplify
our vision and philosophy for the future we want across the globe.
The Declaration has to be a vehicle for delivering a strong political
message to the public on why we all should work together for this
once-in-a-life-time and historic global agenda. It should provide
motivation to the people and incentivise the private sector
including the business community to take more interest in this
work.
I would also like to emphasize that the Declaration should contain
the visionary narrative that explains how far we came, where we
are, and where we go from here.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
I would like to emphasize the importance of communication,
particularly to the general public who are actual beneficiaries as
well as owners of our goals. In order for the public to understand
our work, specifically, we should make it clear that we are
developing a new set of global and sustainable development
goals, taking into account past achievements and the changing
international environment.
The unfinished work of the MDGs needs to be completed, but
further work is needed. The key is to achieve sustainable
development, and this requires all of us to transform our world in
all aspects. The Declaration should reaffirm that the post-2015
development framework is universal, transformative, and inclusive.
In this regard, we believe the six Essential Elements of the UN
Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report can be instrumental in
drafting the Declaration.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
People and planet should be the core elements of the Declaration,
as we envision a dignified life across the economic, social, and
environmental dimensions. Equitable and inclusive economic
growth as well as transition to a green economy should also be
included. Our Declaration should also give a strong impetus to
the December COP21 meeting in Paris so that a new climate
architecture could be agreed.
The Declaration can draw on the unswerving principles of the
Millennium Declaration, including human rights, equality, solidarity,
and shared responsibility. Social protection for vulnerable and
marginalized groups, youth employment, and alleviation of
income inequality are equally important. Education, health care,
and gender equality as well as good governance, capable
institutions, and the rule of law should all be reflected in the
Declaration as key elements. To secure an inclusive and
peaceful society, the importance of global citizenship education,
which can understand tolerance, mutual respect and
understanding, needs to be emphasized as well.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
A transformative agenda calls for a genuine partnership based on
global solidarity. In this regard, the Republic of Korea would like
to see the Declaration make a clear reference to the principles of
the Busan Global Partnership for Effective Development
Cooperation (GPEDC) such as national ownership, results focus,
inclusive partnerships, transparency and mutual accountability. A
need to establish a robust monitoring and review mechanism at
global as well as national levels should also be mentioned as an
overarching principle.
Last but not least, the Declaration should also clearly express the
commitment of all stakeholders, including political leaders, civil
society, NGOs, and the private sector, to joining our march
together towards a shared vision of leaving no one behind.
I thank you Mr. Co-facilitator. /END/
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