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Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
Fourth Session – Means of Implementation and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
New York, 24 April 2015
Coherence between respective outcome documents
Statement by Switzerland
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
We welcome this last session of this week on coherence between the Financing for Development process and the Post-2015 Agenda as well as their respective outcome documents.
In the course of this week, and in particular yesterday, we have already heard different views, proposals and also concerns with regard to the question of how the two outcome documents relate to each other. We feel that it is now time to change gears and make a step forward.
I would like to make four points and, in this context, also raise some questions.
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First, we are of the opinion that the Addis Ababa Outcome should define the implementation framework for the Post-2015 Agenda and, as others have called it, constitute the MoI-pillar. As the representative from India reminded us yesterday, it was not a coincidence, but a deliberate decision by Member States to hold the Addis Ababa Conference before the Post-2015 Summit. A majority of Member States felt that we should have clarity on the “how” before we agree on the “what”.
Second, several member states expressed concerns that defining the Addis Outcome as the MoI-pillar would narrow down the scope of the FfD-Outcome and break with the holistic framework approach initiated in Monterrey and Doha. We believe that the Zero Draft strikes a fine balance between committing to continue the work started in Monterrey and complementing it with new elements that reflect today’s realities and the ambition of the universal Post-2015 Agenda. Looking closely at the Zero Draft, we can find no evidence for a scope that would be limited to the issues addressed in Goal 17. On the contrary, its scope is much broader. A fact we welcome very much.
Third, we feel that there is an important political reason why Addis should define the whole MoI-package of the Post-2015 Agenda: Addis can only be a success if the commitments made there are not questioned the following day. Therefore, we have to ask ourselves: What value will the commitments in Addis have, if Member States announce to come back on any of the issues within the following weeks in the Post-2015 process?
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This being said, I would like to turn to my fourth and last point and address the question of how the two outcome documents can come together in practice. We find it challenging that we currently find issues related to the Means of Implementation in three different places: i) in the proposal of the OWG, ii) in the FfD process and in the iii) MoI pillar or future chapter of the Post-2015 Agenda. Innovative solutions are needed to relate these elements.
We welcome the three options put forward by Germany yesterday, namely i) to integrate Addis one-by-one in the Post-2015 outcome, ii) to endorse the Addis Outcome within the MoI pillar and add it as an Annex to the Post-2015 Agenda, or iii) to agree in Addis on a condensed version that will be integrated in the Post-2015 Outcome. We have a preference for the first or the second option, and we are looking forward to discuss these proposals in the coming weeks more in detail.
When discussing the relation of the two outcome documents, we feel it is important not to go for the solution that seems most convenient, but to take a long term view and bear in mind what implication each solution would have for the implementation, monitoring and follow-up.
Given the anticipated reporting burden countries face already with the SDGs, we consider it of utmost importance to avoid duplication. In our view, the HLPF should be the place where the review of the Post-2015 Agenda comes together, including the FfD monitoring and review.
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
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I am aware that we just raised more questions than providing answers. Nevertheless, we hope that working on these questions will help us tackling the most pressing issues and finding consensus on the best solution to ensure coherence between the two outcome documents. Finding this solution will demand a high degree of flexibility from all Member States. At the same time, we are convinced that under your wise leadership we will find a way to agree on an ambitious Post-2015 Agenda that is matched with a strong implementation framework.
On behalf of the Swiss delegation I thank you, the four co-facilitators, for your invaluable guidance during this week and in the weeks to come! We are glad and grateful that the pens of these important processes lie in your hands! Please keep it there.
Thank you!
