24 February 2016: Gathering on the 50th anniversary of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), over 80 ministers discussed ways for UNDP to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They highlighted UNDP’s potential to act as the “SDGs accelerator” by being a capacity builder, providing policy advice, coordinating donors, maintaining international commitments, and providing platforms for knowledge-sharing. Pakistan said UNDP’s strength lies not in having a political agenda,but in helping countries to achieve their own national priorities.

The Ministerial Meeting took place on 24 February 2016, in New York, US. Heads of State and Government and Ministers shared their experience in collaborating with UNDP on issues such as good governance, strengthening institutions, increasing transparency, creating a level playing field for political actors and stakeholders, gender equality, and increasing countries’ access to data.

In opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon observed that UNDP has: helped combat poverty and rebuilt countries affected by crisis; worked with governments, civil society and the private sector to build capable institutions and inclusive societies with “pioneering” analysis and advocacy; and sought to empower people, especially women and girls, through a commitment to the most vulnerable.

Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, said the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs provide the framework for the next phase of UNDP’s work. She underlined that UNDP has already taken steps to ensure it is fit for purpose in the SDGs era, noting that the Programme has: restructured its headquarters to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency and effectiveness; moved more of its policy, programme, and other support closer to the field; and implemented measures that led to UNDP being ranked among the most transparent development organizations in the world.

Tegegnework Gettu, UNDP, highlighted the MAPS initiative for supporting countries’ achievement of the SDGs. MAPS includes: helping countries Mainstream the SDGs in their national plans; Accelerating progress; and providing Policy Support.

Ministers participated in high-level debates on how to translate the SDGs into results on: eradicating poverty and leaving no one behind; protecting the planet and sustaining development; preventing violent conflict and building peaceful societies; managing risk and building resilience; and financing the SDGs. On ‘Eradicating poverty and leaving no one behind,’ Ministers underlined that eradicating poverty goes beyond increasing income to also include well being and happiness. They stressed the need to: address inequality; promote gender equality; create strong rural-urban networks; include marginalized groups and ensure they act as agents of change in their communities; and address environmental degradation. Participants further stressed the necessity to: strengthen the skills and knowledge of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and create jobs for the poorest; ensure strong political leadership; expand social protection; and address climate change.

On ‘Protecting the planet and sustaining development,’ Ministers concluded that achieving the SDGs will require: growth that is environmentally sustainable; catalytic investments and innovative financing schemes for protecting and restoring ecosystems; innovative institutional solutions, such as national cross-sectorial initiatives on biodiversity conservation, food security, agriculture, water management, and green energy; green jobs; tax schemes aligned with the Addis Tax Initiative; policies that integrate the knowledge of women and other vulnerable groups and increase their access to financing; and better leveraging of South South Cooperation and knowledge.

On ‘Preventing violent conflict and building peaceful societies,’ Ministers agreed that the success of the SDGs will depend on: more effective strategies for avoiding wars and conflicts; positive, visionary political leadership at the national, regional and global levels; inclusive societies; inclusive growth and job creation; respect for diversity and involvement of all stakeholders; regional and global commitments of solidarity; and UNDP’s support, vision and capacity building capabilities.

On ‘Managing risk and building resilience,’ Ministers stressed the need for: managing environmental risk; making funding decisions that account for risks and leverage support to address them, including from the private sector; a “whole of society” approach that involves all stakeholders; developing long-term political commitments that will survive political transitions; shared regional and sub-regional strategies to help countries enhance their efforts; and leveraging UNDP’s support to consolidate these efforts and allow the global community to learn from disasters.

On ‘Financing the SDGs,’ Ministers recommended: strengthening domestic resource mobilization (DRM); improving SMEs’ access to financing; improving public expenditure; micro-employment and entrepreneurial support; strengthening public private partnerships (PPPs); integrating humanitarian, resilience and development plans; strengthening tax systems; reforming global tax practices; supporting trade for development; catalyzing private sector financing domestically and internationally; building accountable and effective governance; empowering women and girls; and financing innovation. Some stressed the need for developed countries to respect their ODA commitments. [UNDP Website for Ministerial Meeting] [Remarks of UN Secretary-General] [Remarks of UNDP Administrator] [IISD RS Sources] [UN Press Release] [Remarks of UNGA President] [UNDP Press Release]