16 January 2015: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted decision A/69/L.46, outlining the modalities for the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. Consultations on the modalities began in November and concluded on 17 December 2014, co-facilitated by David Donoghue (Ireland) and Macharia Kamau (Kenya). Action on the draft text was postponed by the UNGA’s Fifth Committee, however, on 29 December.

According to the decision, the proposal of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be the main basis for integrating SDGs into the post-2015 development agenda, while other inputs will also be taken into consideration. The text also notes that “every effort shall be made” to ensure effective coordination between the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda and the preparatory process for the third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3), and other relevant UN intergovernmental processes. [UN Press Release] [Document A/69/L.46] [IISD RS Story on Agreed Modalities] [IISD RS Story on Postponed Action on Draft]