26 September 2015: The high-level event, titled ‘Engaging People for Sustainable Development: Accountability, Transparency and Participation,’ was convened by the Permanent Mission of Botswana, Permanent Mission of Mongolia, Permanent Mission of Switzerland and International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance). Participants discussed existing mechanisms, roles of actors and enablers that could contribute to the transparent, participatory and accountable achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Opening the event, Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation, said accountability is an essential element of deepening democracy and stressed the need for constant and open dialogue, where citizens have access to information from different and free sources. She discussed the importance of compromise, collaboration, leadership and trust, and warned against the dangers of corruption.

The President of Mongolia, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, and the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, spoke of how their countries were working to ensure human rights, transparency and rule of law. Elbegdorj noted the difficulties that come with being a resource rich country, with regard to corruption, while Masisi emphasized the importance of the active participation of vulnerable groups in SDG implementation.

Thomas Gass, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, discussed how the SDGs were different than the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while Carl Wright, Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), stressed the important role that local authorities will play in SDG implementation. Yves Leterme, Secretary-General of International IDEA, noted that the follow-up should build on existing institutions and called for the sharing of best practice examples from the local level.

A number of other panelists addressed the need to further incorporate civil society and parliaments in SDG implementation; the need for education and technical and development assistance to support capacity building; the importance of transparency, participation and access to information at all levels; and budgeting for implementation. [IISD RS Coverage of ‘Engaging People for Sustainable Development: Accountability, Transparency and Participation‘]