Republic of Korea
Statement by Ambassador Hahn Choong-hee
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
Sixth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (Declaration)
23 June 2015, New York
Thank you, Mr. Co-Facilitator. Following the ROK’s general comments yesterday, we would like to make some comments on the Declaration part.
1. The Declaration must be able to convey a powerful message to the public so that both ordinary citizens and all stakeholders can be inspired to fully participate in our collective journey, thereby creating a real partnership. Therefore, the Declaration must be a visionary narrative which is concise, action-oriented, and communicable.
2. Communication is really a critical and crucial point for the success of the post-2015 process. We need a compelling Declaration of political caliber that can amplify our vision for sustainable development around the world.
I have specific comments according to each sub-category.
3. (Introduction)
Sustainable development presupposes and requires everyone’s participation ensuring equitable input. We welcome the reference to the principle of “leaving no one behind” in paragraph 4, but would like to see a stronger message on how it will be realized.
In paragraph 21, the references to vulnerable sections of the population and the importance of their participation in creating enabling environments should be better highlighted. Commitments by the global community to achieve these goals should be expressed more clearly.
4. (Our commitment and shared principles)
We welcome the emphasis on human rights as a guiding principle and key objective of the new agenda in the paragraph 10 and 11. However, we would like to see more human rights-oriented content therein.
We also believe that the references in paragraph 10 to the UN conferences and summits serving as the foundation for the new agenda for sustainable development should be more comprehensive.
5. (Our World Today)
In order to make the document more balanced, it would be better to first recognize the global progress of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) over the past 15 years before mentioning immense challenges we are facing in paragraph 12.
6. (The New Agenda)
The key priorities and approaches of the new agenda are well described in a comprehensive and balanced manner. We particularly welcome the emphasis on human rights, gender equality, protection of vulnerable and marginalized groups, education, health, economic growth, governance, the rule of law, effective and accountable institutions, the value of diversity, and culture among others.
For paragraph 22 which refers to education, we would like to see the language more consistent with SDG 4. In addition, the outcome of the World Education Forum 2015 needs to be recognized as we believe that the role of education should be emphasized in a new perspective. We will submit a specific proposal on languages in a written form.
The detailed reference to Goal 16 in paragraph 28 is welcomed. The importance of good governance based on transparency, accountability, and participation should be more highlighted.
We also welcome the reference to global citizenship in paragraph 29. To secure peaceful and inclusive societies, global citizenship, which emphasizes tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding, must be demonstrated and educated.
7. (Implementation)
Creating domestic enabling environments, sound policies and institutions at country level as the key to poverty eradication and sustainable development must be further emphasized. The Declaration should also reflect in a balanced manner the importance of all financial flows and actors in the context of an evolving development landscape as well as the basic principle that each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development.
We welcome the emphasis of a "renewed and strengthened global partnership" and agree with the importance of inclusiveness in global partnership as highlighted in paragraph 36. Reference should also be made to other key principles of the strengthened global partnership in the post-2015 era, namely national ownership, focus on results, and transparency and accountability.
Thank you. /END/
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
Sixth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (Declaration)
23 June 2015, New York
Thank you, Mr. Co-Facilitator. Following the ROK’s general comments yesterday, we would like to make some comments on the Declaration part.
1. The Declaration must be able to convey a powerful message to the public so that both ordinary citizens and all stakeholders can be inspired to fully participate in our collective journey, thereby creating a real partnership. Therefore, the Declaration must be a visionary narrative which is concise, action-oriented, and communicable.
2. Communication is really a critical and crucial point for the success of the post-2015 process. We need a compelling Declaration of political caliber that can amplify our vision for sustainable development around the world.
I have specific comments according to each sub-category.
3. (Introduction)
Sustainable development presupposes and requires everyone’s participation ensuring equitable input. We welcome the reference to the principle of “leaving no one behind” in paragraph 4, but would like to see a stronger message on how it will be realized.
In paragraph 21, the references to vulnerable sections of the population and the importance of their participation in creating enabling environments should be better highlighted. Commitments by the global community to achieve these goals should be expressed more clearly.
4. (Our commitment and shared principles)
We welcome the emphasis on human rights as a guiding principle and key objective of the new agenda in the paragraph 10 and 11. However, we would like to see more human rights-oriented content therein.
We also believe that the references in paragraph 10 to the UN conferences and summits serving as the foundation for the new agenda for sustainable development should be more comprehensive.
5. (Our World Today)
In order to make the document more balanced, it would be better to first recognize the global progress of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) over the past 15 years before mentioning immense challenges we are facing in paragraph 12.
6. (The New Agenda)
The key priorities and approaches of the new agenda are well described in a comprehensive and balanced manner. We particularly welcome the emphasis on human rights, gender equality, protection of vulnerable and marginalized groups, education, health, economic growth, governance, the rule of law, effective and accountable institutions, the value of diversity, and culture among others.
For paragraph 22 which refers to education, we would like to see the language more consistent with SDG 4. In addition, the outcome of the World Education Forum 2015 needs to be recognized as we believe that the role of education should be emphasized in a new perspective. We will submit a specific proposal on languages in a written form.
The detailed reference to Goal 16 in paragraph 28 is welcomed. The importance of good governance based on transparency, accountability, and participation should be more highlighted.
We also welcome the reference to global citizenship in paragraph 29. To secure peaceful and inclusive societies, global citizenship, which emphasizes tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding, must be demonstrated and educated.
7. (Implementation)
Creating domestic enabling environments, sound policies and institutions at country level as the key to poverty eradication and sustainable development must be further emphasized. The Declaration should also reflect in a balanced manner the importance of all financial flows and actors in the context of an evolving development landscape as well as the basic principle that each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development.
We welcome the emphasis of a "renewed and strengthened global partnership" and agree with the importance of inclusiveness in global partnership as highlighted in paragraph 36. Reference should also be made to other key principles of the strengthened global partnership in the post-2015 era, namely national ownership, focus on results, and transparency and accountability.
Thank you. /END/
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