6 May 2014: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference marking World Press Freedom Day resulted in a declaration calling for freedom of expression, press freedom, independent media and access to information to be fully integrated into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference took place on 5-6 May 2014, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. About 300 participants from almost 90 countries took part in the deliberations.

The Paris Declaration on the post-2015 agenda urges the UN Open Working Group (OWG) on the SDGs to include free expression as part of a good governance goal, as recommended by the UN High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP). It also calls for the OWG to recognize the importance of universal access to information and communication technologies, and for governments to make available “comprehensive, reliable, accurate and accessible information related to the development agenda” as part of the SDGs.

During the event, participants also discussed the UNESCO report ‘World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development,’ UNESCO’s mandated study on internet-related issues, and preparations for the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, on 2 November 2014. [UNESCO Press Release] [Paris Declaration]