In its final plenary meeting, the 68th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a procedural resolution on the four structured dialogues on possible arrangements for a facilitation mechanism to promote the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
By the text adopted, the Assembly requests the 69th UNGA President, Sam Kutesa, to continue consultations based on recommendations contained in the summary prepared during UNGA 68, with the aim of reaching a conclusion during the 69th session, in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
15 September 2014: In its final plenary meeting, the 68th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a procedural resolution on the four structured dialogues on possible arrangements for a facilitation mechanism to promote the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies. By the text adopted, the Assembly requests the 69th UNGA President, Sam Kutesa, to continue consultations based on recommendations contained in the summary prepared during UNGA 68, with the aim of reaching a conclusion during the 69th session, in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
During the meeting, India underlined that the public goods approach to global resources must be matched by an equally constructive approach to technology cooperation, and therefore the creation of a technology facilitation mechanism (TFM) is an indispensable part of a successful post-2015 development agenda. Indonesia expressed also its support for the creation of a TFM under the UN system.
The EU acknowledged that the three functions identified in the dialogues as important gaps – mapping of existing technology facilitation mechanisms, frameworks and process on clean and environmentally sound technologies through creation of an online knowledge-sharing platform; improved UN inter-agency coherence on technology facilitation through better coordination; and further promotion of technology needs assessments and capacity building – need further elaboration and must be at the core of the future technology discussions. He said it does not support allocating additional time to discussing “those elements on which it clearly appeared in the structured dialogues that no consensus is emerging.”
Australia, Japan, and the US highlighted the role of the private sector as a primary source for the development and commercialization of new technologies, and the importance of creating conducive environments that encourage investment, competition, innovation, and a robust intellectual property rights (IPR) regime. Japan stressed that creating a new mechanism within the UN is not the best solution for the development, transfer, and dissemination of technology.
With regard to linking discussions on technology with the post-2015 development agenda, the US clarified that what the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put forward was not a consensus outcome but a working proposal that reflects different views, including in relation to technology. Australia said the discussions on the post-2015 agenda do not encompass technology “writ large.”
The resolution (A/68/L.62) invites the UN Secretary-General to take into account the recommendations emerging from the structured dialogues in preparing his synthesis report.
UNGA 68 closed on 15 September 2014. [IISD RS Sources] [Webcast of Plenary Meeting] [PaperSmart Meeting Page] [Draft Resolution] [IISD RS Story on Draft Resolution] [IISD RS Story on Closing of UNGA 68]