Republic of Korea
1
Statement by Ambassador Hahn Choong-hee
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to
the United Nations
‘Integrating sustainable development goals and targets into the
post-2015 development agenda’
Stocktaking Session, Intergovernmental Negotiations on the
Post-2015 Development Agenda
19 January 2015, New York
Thank you, Mr. Co-Facilitator.
I would like to begin by thanking Mr. Andrew Scott for his presentation.
There will be three major global meetings in 2015: the Third
International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis
Ababa in July, the UN Summit on the adoption of the post-2015
development agenda in September, and the Paris Climate Conference
(COP21) in December. Considering the close connection between the
three parallel processes in terms of substance and resources, we
hope to see a mutually-reinforcing and synergized approach.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
The Republic of Korea welcomes the report of the Open Working
Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the result
of over a year and a half of negotiations. When it come to Goals and
Targets we all agreed that the report of the Open Working Group will
be an important basis for the negotiations on the post-2015
development agenda, together with the Rio+20 outcome document,
the report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-
2015 Development Agenda, the report of the Intergovernmental
Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing, and
the Secretary General's Synthesis Report.
2
Nevertheless, we take note of the concern regarding the realistic
implementability of the 17 goals and 169 targets. In particular, taking
into account the structural differences between the SDGs and the
post-2015 outcome document, rearrangement of the SDGs needs be
considered. For example, while the means of implementation are
currently a part of the 17 goals of the SDGs, the post-2015 outcome
document will reposition the means of implementation as a distinct
part of the document. Furthermore, we should explore incorporating
some of the targets which have a strong declarative nature to the
Declaration part of the outcome document.
Secondly, the six Essential Elements presented by Secretary-General
in his Synthesis Report provides us a way to integrate the SDGs into
the post-2015 development agenda. As the major strength of the
MDGs was its simplicity, clarity and easy to communicate, reframing
the 17 goals and 169 targets should be considered for the post-2015
development goals in this regard.
In addition, goals that have proven spill-over benefits as enablers of
development – such as education, health, and gender equality – must
be highlighted, in order to keep in mind the limited resource availability
over the 15-year implementation period of the post-2015 development
agenda.
We especially echo the importance of the effective communication of
the post-2015 development agenda to the general public, who are the
actual benefiters of the goals and targets and thus hope to use the six
Essential Elements to our advantage throughout this process.
Lastly, the response to climate change is closely knitted in the goals
and targets, and provides the overall context for post-2015
development. As such, the issue of climate change must be reviewed
in detail during the integration of the SDGs into the post-2015
development agenda.
3
To conclude, let me reiterate that we cannot dilute the quality or the
significance of the SDGs, which took such commitment and patience.
However, failing to fully address the realistic feasibility of the goals
within the post-2015 development framework will not be also desirable.
Thus, I encourage all colleagues in the room to keep in mind our
ultimate vision for a sustainable future as we continue our negotiation
process.
Thank you. /End/
Statement by Ambassador Hahn Choong-hee
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to
the United Nations
‘Integrating sustainable development goals and targets into the
post-2015 development agenda’
Stocktaking Session, Intergovernmental Negotiations on the
Post-2015 Development Agenda
19 January 2015, New York
Thank you, Mr. Co-Facilitator.
I would like to begin by thanking Mr. Andrew Scott for his presentation.
There will be three major global meetings in 2015: the Third
International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis
Ababa in July, the UN Summit on the adoption of the post-2015
development agenda in September, and the Paris Climate Conference
(COP21) in December. Considering the close connection between the
three parallel processes in terms of substance and resources, we
hope to see a mutually-reinforcing and synergized approach.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
The Republic of Korea welcomes the report of the Open Working
Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the result
of over a year and a half of negotiations. When it come to Goals and
Targets we all agreed that the report of the Open Working Group will
be an important basis for the negotiations on the post-2015
development agenda, together with the Rio+20 outcome document,
the report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-
2015 Development Agenda, the report of the Intergovernmental
Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing, and
the Secretary General's Synthesis Report.
2
Nevertheless, we take note of the concern regarding the realistic
implementability of the 17 goals and 169 targets. In particular, taking
into account the structural differences between the SDGs and the
post-2015 outcome document, rearrangement of the SDGs needs be
considered. For example, while the means of implementation are
currently a part of the 17 goals of the SDGs, the post-2015 outcome
document will reposition the means of implementation as a distinct
part of the document. Furthermore, we should explore incorporating
some of the targets which have a strong declarative nature to the
Declaration part of the outcome document.
Secondly, the six Essential Elements presented by Secretary-General
in his Synthesis Report provides us a way to integrate the SDGs into
the post-2015 development agenda. As the major strength of the
MDGs was its simplicity, clarity and easy to communicate, reframing
the 17 goals and 169 targets should be considered for the post-2015
development goals in this regard.
In addition, goals that have proven spill-over benefits as enablers of
development – such as education, health, and gender equality – must
be highlighted, in order to keep in mind the limited resource availability
over the 15-year implementation period of the post-2015 development
agenda.
We especially echo the importance of the effective communication of
the post-2015 development agenda to the general public, who are the
actual benefiters of the goals and targets and thus hope to use the six
Essential Elements to our advantage throughout this process.
Lastly, the response to climate change is closely knitted in the goals
and targets, and provides the overall context for post-2015
development. As such, the issue of climate change must be reviewed
in detail during the integration of the SDGs into the post-2015
development agenda.
3
To conclude, let me reiterate that we cannot dilute the quality or the
significance of the SDGs, which took such commitment and patience.
However, failing to fully address the realistic feasibility of the goals
within the post-2015 development framework will not be also desirable.
Thus, I encourage all colleagues in the room to keep in mind our
ultimate vision for a sustainable future as we continue our negotiation
process.
Thank you. /End/
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