Statement by Ambassador Hahn Choonghee
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
to the United Nations
'The Declaration'
Stocktaking Session, Intergovernmental Negotiations on the
Post-2015 Development Agenda
20 January 2015, New York
Co-facilitators (Amb. David Donoghue and Amb. Macharia
Kamau),
Dr. Bhattacharya,
Excellencies,
First, I would like to thank the co-facilitators and commend you on
a great start yesterday in the first meeting of the
intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development
agenda. We have spoken about the post-2015 process and the
integration of the SDGs in the post-2015 development agenda.
I look forward to continuing our fruitful discussions.
Today, I would like to offer comments on the composition and
content of the Declaration on the post-2015 development agenda.
The Declaration on the post-2015 development agenda should be
a powerful and concise narrative of message that presents our
vision and philosophy for the new development trajectory for
humanity, which will motivate and inspire global citizens in to fulfill
the new development goals.
Based on the Millennium Declaration and Rio+20's The Future
We Want, the Declaration should include our response to the
changes and challenges facing the international community. This
should not be limited to the political will of our national leaders,
but also encompass the will of civil society, NGOs, and the private
sector to participate in creating a sustainable future. However,
rather than reverting back to repetitive agreed language, we hope
to see new language that is creative and concise.
Mr. Co-facilitator,
The Declaration should center on people and planet as the core
of post-2015 development, with the vision to protect human
dignity and quality of life through all three pillars of sustainable
development.
The political will demonstrated in the Declaration should answer
the call to respond to the multitude of challenges we face today,
including climate change, the loss of biodiversity, economic
hardships, and conflicts. To meet these challenges, equitable and
inclusive economic growth will be necessary, including transition
to a green economy for sustainable development, as substantially
discussed in the outcome document of Rio+20, The Future We
Want, should also be addressed.
The Declaration can draw from some values and principles that
have already been elaborated in the Millennium Declaration. In
particular, the principles of human rights, equality, solidarity, and
shared responsibility will be important for us at a time of
weakened multilateralism.
To ensure the basic human rights of each and every global citizen,
special attention must be given to social protection for vulnerable
and marginalized populations, youth unemployment, and
elimination of income inequality, especially for middle income
countries.
Basic Human Needs of education, healthcare, and gender
equality, as listed in the MDGs, will continue to be our common
goals for the international community in the context of post-2015
development as well. Their role as the major enablers of
development should be emphasized.
Similarly, good governance capable institutions and rule of law
will also be important drivers of development as emphasized in
the Secretary General’s synthesis report. Capable institutions
based on the foundation of good governance will be key for
sustainable development and post-2015 development agenda. As
a priority for both developed and developing countries, good
governance and rule of law should be key elements for the
Declaration.
In discussing the effective implementation and achievement of the
new development goals, we hope the Declaration will consider the
shared principles under the Busan Global Partnership or GPEDC,
such as ownership, inclusive partnership, transparency and
accountability, should be considered as a useful reference.
In closing, the concerning recent attacks and continuing conflicts,
have reminded us that significant gains from growth and
development will have been in vain without a peaceful society that
can retain our progress. Therefore we have to also demonstrate
as well as educate for global citizenship which is sensible to
dignity, tolerance and mutual understanding in the pursuit of a
more peaceful and harmonious world.
I thank you. /End/
