21 January 2015: At the first sessions of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, UN Member States and other participants addressed the four elements expected to comprise the new agenda: a declaration; a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, along with eventual indicators; their means of implementation (MOI) and a new Global Partnership for Development; and follow-up and review of implementation. The “stocktaking session” was the first of eight scheduled sessions to prepare the outcome that will be adopted at the UN Summit on the Post-2015 Development Agenda in September 2015.

Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya, and David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland, co-facilitated the session on 19-21 January 2015, in New York, US.

According to the Co-Facilitators’ summary of discussions, presented at the end of the three-day meeting, Member States thought the declaration should identify the integrative nature of the agenda, highlight core principles, and reflect the universality as well as the differentiation among countries. In addition, it should be comprehensive but concise, inspirational, and visionary. Donoghue said the Co-Facilitators would, in advance of the February meeting, circulate a draft of items to include in the declaration.

On the SDGs, he noted Member States’ recognition that the Open Working Group (OWG) proposal for SDGs rests on a carefully crafted, political balance. On the proposal to “technically proof” the OWG’s proposed targets, Donoghue acknowledged concern that it could hurt the balance of the OWG proposal, but said others supported it, and some suggested criteria or parameters for this effort. On indicators, he said the UN Statistical Commission will present a draft set of indicative indicators before the March negotiation session, although he cautioned that it may not be possible to complete work on the indicators between now and September. He said Member States could, at the March session, respond to the Commission, consider its input, and decide what to do with it.

On MOI and global partnership, Donoghue noted Member States’ message that it will be impossible to deliver on the ambition of the SDGs without MOI and partnerships, and their recognition of interconnections between the post-2015 and Financing for Development (FfD) processes.

On follow-up and review, Donoghue said many had reiterated the importance of an open, transparent and inclusive process, and some said that no target should be considered met unless it is met by all.

Kamau asked delegates to remain “highly flexible” regarding the programme of work for negotiations. He added that civil society is crucial to the process, as the SDGs and their importance are not yet well understood outside the UN basement. [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [IISD RS Story on Opening Session]