Intervention by Sri Lanka at the Fifth Session (the session on Follow-up and Review) of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda
18 May 2015
Distinguished co-facilitators,
At the outset, let me thank you for convening this session. I also wish to thank you for the discussion paper on Follow-up and Review of the post-2015 development agenda.
We associate ourselves with the statement made by the Republic of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
We wish to reiterate our position with regard to some of the issues pertaining to the follow-up and review of the Agenda in our national capacity.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
We all are aware that an efficient, vigorous, inclusive and transparent follow-up and review process must be an essential component of the new global development agenda. It would be hard to imagine a successful development agenda without a strong follow-up and review mechanism built into it.
We are of the view that the discussion on such a follow-up and review process must be premised on certain principles that we think are essential. An approach based on such principles would result in a follow-up and review process that safeguards the interests of all Member States.
Firstly, we believe that the principle of universality should be applied to such a process. The scope of the follow-up and review mechanism must be universal, and the process should be owned by Member States according to their national circumstances, needs and priorities. The process should also respect the balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
Secondly, the follow-up and review should cover the seventeen sustainable development goals and 169 targets in a balanced and integrated manner. A limited number of indicators developed by experts with the broad political guidance of Member States to measure the goals and targets could be used for global follow-up and review of the post- 2015 development agenda. However, Member States must be given the opportunity to develop national indicators as national indicators cannot be decided at global level.
We also believe that such a follow-up and review process must also endeavor to review the activities of the United Nations system in respect of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Thirdly, governments must lead the follow-up and review process of the new development agenda. It should also involve high-level participation, including at the level of Ministers.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
Given the importance of following up and reviewing the progress of the implementation of sustainable development commitments at global level, it is imperative that they are done at an appropriate forum.
We strongly believe that the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development would be the most suitable and key forum to review the progress of the implementation of the most ambitious global development agenda the world has seen so far.
We wish to emphasize that the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development must foster coherence and progress in implementing the post-2015 development agenda, taking into consideration the three dimensions of sustainable development. It is critical that the Secretariat extend its fullest support to the High Level Political Forum so that it can effectively and efficiently deliver on its mandate.
I thank you.
