16 May 2014: The co-facilitators of the intergovernmental consultations on the organizational modalities for the September 2015 UN summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda have issued a paper on lessons learned from previous UN summits. The paper, titled ‘Experiences and lessons from 2000, 2005 and 2010 for modalities for the 2015 Summit on the Post-2015 Development Agenda,’ discusses modalities and key lessons learned on duration, timing, structure and format.

The co-facilitators for the post-2015 summit consultations are Robert Guba Aisi, Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea, and Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative of Denmark.

“Early agreement by Member States on the modalities of a summit is helpful for its success,” according to the paper. Lessons learned relate to: strengthening impact; widening dissemination of analysis; enhancing participation; creating awareness and engagement; and reinforcing partnerships with non-governmental actors. It says that other success factors include: high levels of commitment by development partners; relevant preparatory events with broad, balanced participation by developed and developing country governments and other key actors; and stakeholder support.

On duration and timing, the paper suggests convening the Summit back-to-back with the high-level debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to secure participation from Heads of State and Government. On the structure and format, the paper proposes a singular event around the opening of the UNGA’s 70th Session, with a space for dialogue among world leaders, and with no parallel meetings that could potentially divert attention from the Summit.

On modalities of the 2000 Millennium Summit, the 2005 World Summit and the 2010 High-level Meeting, the paper describes their level of participation, duration, theme, outcome and parallel and side events, and highlights resolutions adopted in preparation for the summit and the appointment of chairpersons. The paper also includes annexes on key documents related to modalities and an overview summarizing the modalities of previous Summits.

The paper was prepared by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), at the co-facilitators’ request, following the first informal consultation, held on 14 April 2014.

The co-facilitators recall that at that meeting, delegations “seemed broadly supportive” of the Summit taking place in New York back-to-back with the High-Level week of UNGA 70 in order to facilitate participation of Heads of State and Government. They also note that “it was emphasized that sufficient time to speak should be given to Heads of State and Government. This would likely mean holding a Summit with a duration of three days.”

They note three possible options for the timing of the Summit, based on that input: Saturday, 19 September – Monday 21, September; Sunday, 20 September – Tuesday, 22 September (moving the General Debate one day); or Monday, 21 September – Wednesday, 23 September (moving the General Debate two days, as was the case in 2010).

Consultations on the post-2015 summit will resume with an informal-informal meeting on 22 May 2014. [Publication: Experiences and lessons from 2000, 2005 and 2010 for modalities for the 2015 Summit on the Post-2015 Development Agenda]