6 February 2015: The Co-Facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda have released elements for discussion on the declaration component of the agenda. The elements paper, which was circulated by UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa, is accompanied by a draft programme of work for the second intergovernmental negotiating session, which is taking place from 17-20 February 2015.

Co-Facilitators Macharia Kamau (Kenya) and David Donoghue (Ireland) write in their letter to Member States that the elements paper is not intended to be prescriptive, but only to reflect some views expressed regarding the declaration during the first negotiating session, in January 2015. They write that delegates at the meeting indicated agreement that the declaration should be visionary, ambitious, concise and easily understood.

The paper includes the following guiding questions to Member States to stimulate discussion: “what underpins our vision?”; “what is meant by transformative in the context of this agenda?”; and “what are we transforming and how?” The Co-Facilitators invite delegates to consider how the world should look in 2030, and what challenges must be overcome to make their vision a reality.

The elements paper contains sections on: a collective vision of the road to 2030; what we must do to get there (an explanation of the post-2015 development agenda); how we will do this (describing the Means of Implementation and global partnership, and strengthening the UN system); follow-up and review; our commitment (suggesting a reaffirmation of the UN Charter, common values, past agreements and principles, and a political commitment); and a final call to action. The need for a compelling and simple title for the declaration is also highlighted.

According to the draft programme of work, the elements paper and options for the declaration will be discussed during the first part of the February negotiations, with the later part dedicated to consideration of a draft declaration. [Elements Paper and Programme of Work] [Intergovernmental Negotiations Webpage] [IISD RS Coverage of First Negotiation Session][IISD RS Coverage of Second Negotiation Session]