8 December 2014: The co-facilitators for intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda have shared a draft decision on modalities for the upcoming negotiations. The draft outlines: four components of the outcome document to be adopted at the September 2015 summit on the post-2015 development agenda; an “indicative roadmap” specifying the focus of each negotiating session; and six sub-themes for interactive dialogues during the Summit.

In a letter to UN Member States on 8 December 2014, David Donoghue (Ireland) and Macharia Kamau (Kenya), write that the modalities are proposed on the basis of consultations on 3 December 2014. They intend for delegations to consider the draft at informal-informal consultations on 10 and 11 December, in order to reach consensus on the modalities by the informal consultations on 16 December.

By the draft decision, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) would decide that the intergovernmental negotiations will be “open, transparent and inclusive and guided by” the rules of procedure and established practices of the UNGA.

The outcome document is envisaged to include: a Declaration; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets; Means of Implementation including on technology facilitation and a “revitalized Global Partnership; and a Framework for monitoring and review of implementation. Drafts of these components, to be based on consultations and prepared by the co-facilitators, “shall be presented to member states at an early stage,” the draft notes.

The draft provides an indicative road map for negotiations, identifying the focus of each session, including Stocktaking (January 2015), the four anticipated components of the outcome document (February-June 2015), and Finalization of the outcome document (July 2015).

The draft also calls for ensuring effective coordination with the preparatory process for the third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD).

Finally, the decision would set as the overarching theme of the Summit’s interactive dialogues, “Transforming the world: Realizing the post-2015 development agenda.” It proposes as sub-themes for the six interactive dialogues during the Summit: Ending poverty and fighting inequalities; Ensuring healthy lives, knowledge, and the inclusion of women and children; Growing a strong, inclusive, and transformative economy; Protecting our ecosystems for all societies and our children; Promoting safe and peaceful societies, and strong institutions; and Catalysing global solidarity for sustainable development. [Draft Decision on Modalities for Intergovernmental Negotiations] [IISD RS Story on 3 December Consultations]