The co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, and the co-facilitators of the preparatory process for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3) circulated a background note on possible arrangements for a technology facilitation mechanism and other science, technology and innovation issues.
The note seeks to inform the fourth session of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, which will serve as a joint session between the post-2015 and FfD 3 processes.
17 April 2015: The co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda and the co-facilitators of the preparatory process for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3) circulated a background note on possible arrangements for a technology facilitation mechanism and other science, technology and innovation issues. The note seeks to inform the fourth session of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, which will serve as a joint session between the post-2015 and FfD 3 processes.
The note outlines relevant UN processes and commitments related to science, technology and innovation in the area of sustainable development, and places a particular focus on options for a technology facilitation mechanism mandated by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). It recalls the UN General Assembly workshops and structured dialogues on options for a technology facilitation mechanism held in 2013 and 2014.
The note highlights recommendations made in the summary report of the structured dialogues, including that the UN Secretary-General present the UNGA with a concrete proposal regarding deliverables on: developing an online platform to undertake a thorough mapping of existing technology facilitation mechanisms, frameworks and processes of clean and environmentally sound technologies; improving coordination within the UN System on clean and environmentally sound technologies; and analyzing technology needs and gaps in addressing them.
It also mentions the latest resolution on Agenda 21 (A/RES/69/214), which calls on the UNGA to consultations “with the aim of reaching a conclusion during its sixty-ninth session in the context of the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda.”
The note provides an overview of elements that relate to technology, science and innovation in the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report on the post-2015 development agenda, in the report of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in the zero draft of the Addis Ababa Accord, prepared ahead of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3).
Finally, the note mentions that an informal inter-agency working group, co-facilitated by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has been established, and held its first face-to-face meeting on 11 February 2015. The group’s workstreams are in line with the UNGA’s and the Secretary-General’s recommendations, the note says, and include: mapping and creating an inventory of existing technology facilitation frameworks, processes and initiatives, including technology needs assessments, where the UN system is an active participant; reflecting on ideas to improve coordination within the UN system on development, diffusion and transfer of clean and environmentally sound technologies; defining the parameters of a possible online knowledge hub and information-sharing platform; and cooperating with relevant stakeholders on building or strengthening technology-focused partnerships and collaborations.
David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland, and Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya, are the co-facilitators for post-2015 negotiations. Geir Pedersen, Permanent Representative of Norway, and George Talbot, Permanent Representative of Guyana, are the co-facilitators for FfD 3 preparations.
The fourth session of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, which will focus on Means of Implementation and Global Parntership for Sustainable Development, and serve as a joint session with the FfD 3 preparatory process, convenes on 21-24 April 2015. [Background Note on Possible Arrangements for a Technology Mechanism and other science, technology and innovation issues] [Report: General Assembly Structured Dialogues] [Post-2015 Negotiations Webpage] [Publication: Open Working Group proposal for Sustainable Development Goals] [FfD 3 Outcome Zero Draft] [IISD RS Story on UNGA Agreement to Consider Technology Facilitation]