The co-facilitators for intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda have issued a "food-for-thought paper" on the modalities of the negotiations, based on consultations on 4 and 10 November 2014.
Transmitting the paper, UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa informs Member States that consultations will resume 3 and 16 December 2014, aiming to finalize the modalities by the end of the year, so substantive negotiations can begin in January 2015.
17 November 2014: The co-facilitators for intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda have issued a “food-for-thought paper” on the modalities of the negotiations, based on consultations on 4 and 10 November 2014. Transmitting the paper, UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa informs Member States that consultations will resume 3 and 16 December 2014, aiming to finalize the modalities by the end of the year, so substantive negotiations can begin in January 2015.
In the paper, Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya, and David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland, offer proposals on working methods, scope, and dates of the negotiations, as well as issues relating to the Heads of State and Government Summit in September 2015 to adopt the post-2015 development agenda.
On working methods, the co-facilitators note calls for an open, inclusive and transparent process allowing Member States to express their views individually or as part of groups. The paper recalls the flexible working arrangements of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that provided for regular, structured interaction with Major Groups and stakeholders.
On scope, the paper suggests that an outcome document for adoption at the September 2015 summit would contain four main components: an introductory declaration; SDGs, targets, and indicators; Means of Implementation and a new Global Partnership; and a framework for monitoring and review of implementation. They note that some Member States proposed a further element on implications of the post-2015 agenda for the UN system and its institutions (“UN Fit for Purpose”), but that this “will require further discussion.”
The paper states that the proposal of the OWG shall be the main basis for integrating SDGs into the post-2015 development agenda (per UNGA Resolution 68/309), while recognizing that other inputs will be considered. It calls for a “technical proofing” of the proposed targets and for the UN Statistical Commission to assist in developing indicators, if Member States agree.
On Means of Implementation, the co-facilitators emphasize that, while much will be addressed in the Financing for Development (FfD) process, there is a need for attention to certain aspects in the post-2015 consultations – such as technical facilitation – and for close interaction between the two processes. The paper proposes that “similar arrangements” also could be made between the post-2015 and climate negotiation processes through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
It also calls for interaction with the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF) under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to consider a monitoring and review framework.
On dates, the co-facilitators propose that negotiation sessions be held at least once per month between January and July 2015, normally lasting four and a half days. Negotiation sessions would be scheduled for: 19-21 January, 3-6 February, 17-20 February, 9-13 March, 23-27 March, 20-24 April, 18-22 May, 22-25 June, 20-24 July and 27-31 July 2015.
Kamau and Donoghue express their hope to reach agreement on modalities and preparations in December 2014, in order to prepare for the first substantive consultation in January 2015. [Food for Thought Paper] [IISD RS Summary of 4 November Consultations] [IISD RS Summary of 10 November Consultations]