9 July 2014: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) hosted a panel discussion on the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 9 July 2014.

Welcoming participants, Magdy Martínez-Solimán, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), recalled the launch on 1 July of the 2014 MDG report, noting that gaps remain in the areas of slums, gender equality, fair trade, maternal health, food security and environment. He said UNDP soon will launch a campaign for the final 500 days of the MDGs.

In opening remarks, Ib Petersen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN, said the MDGs have shaped both how many governments work and how people live their lives. He added that the post-2015 agenda is one of development as well as sustainability.

Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the UN, said the new agenda will involve a change of behavior for all; developing countries already have experience with aligning development objectives with the MDGs; and it is untrue that economic growth alone provides trickle-down impacts to all and ultimately eradicates poverty.

Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, highlighted extreme poverty and preventable conflicts and disasters as key areas where MDG progress has not been sufficient. She said UNDP, the designated “scorekeeper” for the MDGs, is preparing for the SDGs by building baselines and assessing data availability. UNDP is also: designing a “second-generation” acceleration mechanism for the SDGs, building on the MDG Acceleration Framework (MAF); piloting illustrative SDGs in several countries; and conducting dialogues in over 50 countries on implementing the SDGs.

In the keynote address, Charles Badenoch, World Vision, discussed three lessons on moving from the MDGs to the new framework: accountability, including through targets on accountability and cross-sector partnerships; shared global focus; and retaining the MDGs’ strong focus on children.

Selim Jahan, BPPS, moderated an expert panel discussion. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pakistan National Assembly, noted efforts toward baselines to inform the eventual SDG scorecard, and said key focus areas for Pakistan include: setting protocols for data reporting; designing a uniform measurement tool; “parliament-friendly” reporting; localizing the goals; and incorporating social media into the transition.

Géro Amoussouga, Benin, highlighted: the importance of assessing bottlenecks and solutions; Benin’s creation of a platform to provide monthly updates on progress and to reveal gaps; and the need for broad consultation.

Mahmoud Mohieldin, World Bank Group, said implementation relies on both effective institutions and effective policies. He said that “from day 1” of the post-2015 development agenda, an acceleration framework must be happening. He also called for formulating goals and targets in a way that supports accountability.

Garry Conille, UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), said global frameworks are crucial for putting priorities like maternal health into poverty reduction strategies, in the absence of other political support. [IISD RS Sources] [Remarks of UNDP Administrator]