Debapriya Bhattacharya calls for stronger accountability and legitimacy process in SDG implementation for Countries with Special Needs at UNESCAP, Bangkok

2 December 2015, Bangkok:

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Chair of Southern Voice and Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), called for stronger accountability and legitimacy process as a means of overcoming SDG implementation challenges for Countries with Special Needs (CSNs) at an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Macroeconomic Prospects, Policy Challenges and Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific convened by the UNESCAP in Bangkok. The EGM was a special side event at the Third Session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Development.

The observation emerged from Bhattacharya’s presentation as a high-level panelist at the session on CSNs. Bhattacharya explored the meaning of adaptability of SDGs in the context of Asia-Pacific CSNs, and how CSNs could devise implementation strategies for the SDGs.

Other points flagged by Bhattacharya include prioritisation of systematic issues at the national level; the importance of the CSN’s political will at global, regional and national levels; and the ambitiousness of the SDG framework against the backdrop of international conflict and crises.

Prior to the presentation, Aynul Hasan, Director, Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division, delivered the introductory statement.

The session concluded with statements by country delegations on integration of the SDGs into national development plans and budget frameworks.