14 March 2014: The Office of the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) has released the provisional program and a background note for the joint thematic debate on ‘The role of partnerships in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda,’ which is being convened with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The debate will take place from 9-10 April 2014, in New York, US, as part of a series of UNGA events on the post-2015 agenda.

According to the background note, the joint event will promote the scaling up of cooperation on the post-2015 development agenda, including innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships, and the urgent implementation of commitments under the global partnership for development.

On harnessing partnerships to implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 development goals, three panel discussions will take place on: building on key partnerships and the way forward; collaborating with businesses, foundations, civil society and other actors; and promoting an effective framework for monitoring implementation of global development goals. These discussions aim to generate ideas and solutions, with a special focus on small island developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Middle Income Countries (MICs).

On partnership opportunities for building productive capacity, two panel discussions will address scaling up partnerships on: food and nutritional security and marine resources; and sustainable infrastructure, including energy, information and communications technology (ICT) and transport infrastructure and urban planning and water management systems. The note supports investing in blue growth and sustainable aquatic resources management, especially for SIDS. To address food and nutritional security, it suggests creating and promoting: non-farm rural employment opportunities; rural development; and climate-resilient farming systems and food supplies.

It highlights partnerships such as the Global Partnerships for Oceans, the Zero Hunger Challenge and Scaling up Nutrition Movement. [Webpage on Joint Event] [Provisional Program] [Background Note] [IISD RS Story on Concept Note]