3 March 2014: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) opened its ninth session, which begins the “consensus-building phase” toward a report to the UNGA in September 2014. OWG 9 is convening in New York, US, from 3-5 March 2014.

While opening the ninth session, OWG Co-Chair Macharia Kamau welcomed OWG members to the “second lap” of the Group’s work, which he noted would seek to identify SDGs and accompanying targets. He urged members to retain a high level of ambition, and not to “slip down” to maintaining the status quo and protecting vested interests. He highlighted climate change and poverty eradication as particularly urgent, existential issues. He also emphasized the importance of universality and of coherence among the Goals.

OWG 9 will include: discussion on the focus areas document issued by the Co-Chairs on 21 February 2014, a joint meeting with the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing (ICESDF), a meeting with Major Groups and other stakeholders to receive their comments, and consideration of proposals for the Programme of Work for subsequent sessions. [OWG 9 Website] [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [Focus Areas Document]