UNF Alert 2

Post-2015 Update: May-July

Overview: What’s Next?

The post-2015 process is moving into a new phase, from broad consultation to emerging consensus. Now that the High-Level Panel (HLP) report is out, the Open Working Group (OWG) has begun its work, and a few other key reports have just been released (see below), the post-2015 process is picking up momentum and points of consensus as well as potential areas of difficulty are beginning to emerge.

 

While the release of the High-Level Panel’s report marks an important milestone in the post-2015 process, it is only the beginning of a process that still has over 2 years to unfold. In September, the SG’s report will focus on both a review of MDG performance and MDG acceleration, as well as provide initial recommendations for the way forward on post-2015. A special event in September will focus on building momentum for the current MDGs, a “data revolution” to help bridge the current MDGs and the post-2015 agenda, and a roadmap for the next 18 months.

 

Aside from the HLP report, 4 other key UN reports will also feed into the SG’s thinking on post-2015:

         Sustainable Development Solutions Network released its report on June 6.

         UN Global Compact  released its report  on June 17.

         UN Development Group’s report on the “Global Conversation” – while an interim report was released in March, a final report is expected in August which will summarize the consultations to date.

         UN Regional commissions report summarizes perspectives of the UN’s 5 regional commissions.

The UN’s Non-governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) is facilitating consultations to gather civil society input;  these findings will be collated and delivered to the SG and to the OWG in September.

Open Working Group on SDGs

Member State negotiations continue in the OWG. The OWG met May 22-24 to discuss the following themes: food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, desertification, land degradation and drought; water and sanitation. The session was considered constructive and a good opportunity for member states to focus on these issues. For an in-depth summary of the May OWG meetings, please contact our team.

 

The OWG’s June 17-19 session focused on the following issues: employment and decent work for all, social protection, youth, education and culture; health and population dynamics. There was broad consensus among member states around the importance of youth employment and quality education to sustainable development.

 

On health and population, there seemed to be consensus that the health MDGs should be expanded upon, with suggestions ranging from NCDs, to access to quality health services, to access to sexual and reproductive health services.  Consensus was not reached, however, on whether a “rights-based” approached should be taken. UNF’s summary of this session will be available shortly, so please be in touch if you’d like to see that as well.

 

High-Level Panel’s Report

The High-Level Panel’s highly anticipated report of recommendations for the post-2015 development agenda was released to the public on May 31. The Panel recommends an overarching vision of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. It emphasizes that the post-2015 agenda should carry forward the best of the MDGs, but should also go beyond the MDGs to promote sustainable development. The panel describes its vision as “universal, people-centered and planet-sensitive”—which achieves shared commitment and accountability for all.

 

At the report’s launch, the SG said: “We are at the beginning of an historic journey. The post-2015 process is a chance to usher in a new era in international development—one that will eradicate extreme poverty and lead us to a world of prosperity, sustainability, equity and dignity for all.”
*For more detail on the HLP report, the 5 transformative shifts, and suggested goals, see below.

Recent events:

 

Civil Society discussion of HLP report – May 31 (NY)

On May 31, the UN Foundation, along with the UN and several partners, co-hosted a civil society discussion on the report, featuring 8 HLP members and several civil society discussants. Overall, the report was well-received by stakeholders, though there was a consensus that pressure must now be kept on governments, so that the goals do not get “watered down” throughout the intergovernmental process. Others expressed concern that inequality should have been taken up more explicitly in the report – though the Panel does specify that a target is only considered achieved if it is met by all groups, including the most vulnerable.

 

Mwangi Waituru, co-chair of the Beyond 2015 Campaign and coordinator of GCAP Kenya, rated the report an “8/10” and told HLP reps: “Please thank President Johnson-Sirleaf for listening; this was truly southern-led.”

American HLP member John Podesta remarked that the elevation of gender equality in the report and the strategic interlinkages between the goals were the two things he was most proud of in the report.

HLP member, Yemeni activist and Nobel Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman, said that the 3 biggest innovations in the report for her were: 1) Civil and political rights, combined with transparent and accountable institutions; 2) Active efforts to promote peace in generating inclusive and sustainable growth; and 3) The need to enhance the ability of women and youth to take part in the transformation of their societies.

 

White House discussion on Post-2015 – June 3 (DC)

On June 3 at the White House, the UN Foundation and Save the Children co-hosted a panel discussion on the HLP report and on the post-2015 process more broadly, with HLP member John Podesta, Gayle Smith of the National Security Council, Carolyn Miles of Save the Children, and Kathy Calvin of the UN Foundation. The panel briefed Washington-based NGOs and development leaders.  Participants were largely supportive of the report and were eager for the Administration to remain constructive, particularly on partnerships and universality.

 

Nigerian retreat for African missions on post-2015 – June 7-8 (NY)

UNF and the Nigerian mission to the UN co-hosted a retreat for second committee experts from African missions on the post-2015 agenda, in which the processes leading to a post-2015 agreement, the recent High Level Panel report and reactions from the African perspective, as well as priorities for Africa going forward were discussed.

 

Discussion with Amina Mohammed and UN officials – June 20 (DC)

On June 20, the UN Foundation hosted a breakfast discussion on Post-2015 with Amina Mohammed,  ASGs Olav Kjorven (UNDP), Shamshad Akhtar (UN DESA), John Hendra (UN Women), and 10 members of the NGO community in Washington, to discuss what comes next now that the HLP report is out.

 

Views from Global South Thought Leaders  – June 24-25 (NY)

On June 24-25, UNF co-hosted a series of meeting in and around the UN with Southern Voice, LDC IV Monitor, IIED’s LCD Independent Expert Group, and UNA’s COO, in order to bring the post-2015 perspectives of thought leaders of think tanks from the global south together with member state missions and experts in New York.  A larger, open meeting inside the UN also provided an opportunity for these experts to interact with CSO’s.

UNF/ODI Conference, “Turning Evidence into Action for the Post-2015” – June 25-26 (NY)

UNF and ODI brought together development experts and thought leaders from think tanks from both North and South for a two-day conference, in order to bring evidence and existing policy research on post-2015 issues to better inform the political conversations in New York. Agenda available here.

 

Upcoming:

Washington: At the end of July, UNF will host two consecutive panel discussions for the Washington CSO community:

         Gender in the High-Level Panel report: Addressing the Rights and Needs of Women and Girls and

         Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in the Post-2015 Framework

 

Must-Reads for May & June :

 

         HLP member John Podesta’s op-ed upon release of report: “First chapter for ending extreme poverty.”

         The Economist’s briefing on the world’s opportunity to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030.

         CIC’s briefing paper: What happens now? – the post-2015 agenda after the High-level Panel

         The UN Foundation’s Kathy Calvin called the report “a bold and inspired step toward a better world” in her press statement and penned a blog post following the discussion of the report at the White House.

          “Civil society voices for post-2015” – a summary of findings from civil society-led consultations across 4 continents, compiled by Beyond 2015, GCAP, and IFP.

         UNF Blog Post: The Post-2015 Development Agenda: What it is and why it matters –Jenni Lee interviews Minh-Thu Pham of the UN Foundation.

         Stakeholder Forum’s initial stocktaking analysis of the SDGs inventory.

         IIED’s briefing paper: Taking a lead on the post-2015 agenda: priorities for least developed countries

         Science Magazine’s recent editorial on Post-2015 processes, “The Science of Sustainability.”

*More on the HLP Report

Below are the panel’s “illustrative goals” – note that these are not “the final” post-2015 goals, but recommendations for the Secretary-General to consider for his own report, which will be presented at a Special Event of the General Assembly in September.  Member States will continue to debate these issues over the next 2 years, and ultimately, it will be up to the member states to agree on the final agenda in 2015.

 

HLP’s Illustrative Goals*:1.  End poverty 2.  Empower girls and women and achieve gender equality; 3.  Provide quality education and lifelong learning; 4.  Ensure healthy lives; 5.  Ensure food security and good nutrition; 6.  Achieve universal access to water and sanitation; 7.  Secure sustainable energy; 8.  Create jobs, sustainable livelihoods and equitable growth; 9.  Manage natural resources and assets sustainably; 10.  Ensure good governance and effective institutions; 11.  Ensure stable and peaceful societies; 12. Create a global enabling environment and catalyze long-term finance.  *For more detail, including suggested targets for each goal, see the report’s annex, beginning p. 30

8 “crosscutting issues” in the report – meaning these were treated in several goals, not one. Peace, Inequality, Climate Change, Cities, Young People, Women and Girls, Sustainable consumption and productive patterns. The report also calls for a “data revolution” which would disaggregate data by gender, geography, income, etc.

 

“5 Transformative shifts”:

1.       Leave No One Behind. Ensure that no person is denied basic economic opportunities and human rights.

2.       Put Sustainable Development at the Core. Make a rapid shift to sustainable patterns of production and consumption, and slow the alarming pace of climate change and environmental degradation.

3.       Transform Economies for Jobs and Inclusive Growth. End extreme poverty and promote sustainable development, improving livelihoods, by harnessing innovation, technology, and business potential.

4.        Build Peace and Effective, Open and Accountable Institutions for All. Freedom from violence, conflict, and oppression is essential to human existence and the foundation for building peaceful and prosperous societies. Recognize peace and good governance as a core element of wellbeing.

5.       Forge a New Global Partnership. A new spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and mutual accountability must underpin the post-2015 agenda, built on our shared humanity, and based on mutual respect.