27 April 2015
FfD-Post-2015 Joint Session Debates Synergies, Technology, Ambition
story highlights

Delegates to the fourth session of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, which convened as a joint meeting with the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3) process, debated how the two processes should relate to each other.

Some said the FfD3 process should comprise the means of implementation (MOI) section of the post-2015 development agenda, while others viewed them as warranting distinct outcomes.

Some Member States wished to leave room for further negotiations on MOI after FfD 3, while others argued that could diminish the level of ambition of FfD 3.

iisdrs_in424 April 2015: Delegates to the fourth session of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, which convened as a joint meeting with the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3) process, debated how the two processes should relate to each other. Some said the FfD3 process should comprise the means of implementation (MOI) section of the post-2015 development agenda, while others viewed them as warranting distinct outcomes. In addition, some Member States wished to leave room for further negotiations on MOI after FfD 3, while others argued that could diminish the level of ambition of FfD 3.

At the end of the joint session, held on 21-24 April 2015, in New York, US, David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland and Co-Facilitator of the post-2015 negotiation process, noted general agreement that: the two processes are synergetic and complementary, not subsidiary; the FfD 3 outcome must match the universal, ambitious and transformational Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets; and the report of the High-Level Panel on a Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) will play an important role in the discussions on a technology facilitation mechanism (TFM).

Donoghue noted that while many delegations expressed support for the creation of a TFM, others preferred maximizing the use of existing initiatives. Suggestions included: a Global Forum on Innovation for Development; a Global Fund for Technology; creating multi-stakeholder partnerships; and the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for an online platform mapping existing initiatives. Donoghue said discussion of the TFM will remain a joint endeavor between the post-2015 and FfD 3 processes, and conversations on the issue at the third FfD 3 drafting session, from 15-19 June 2015, will be chaired jointly by the Co-Facilitators of both the FfD 3 and post-2015 processes.

With regard to the fifth session of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda (18-22 May 2015), which will focus on follow-up and review of the agenda, the Co-Facilitators plan to circulate a background paper based on inputs received during the January stocktaking session and discussions on the last day of the fourth session. Also at the May session, Member States will receive an update on the work undertaken by the UN Statistical Division on indicators for the SDGs. Donoghue said a zero draft of the post-2015 summit outcome will be released shortly after the May session. He also noted that informal-informal consultations at the expert level will be held during the coming weeks.

During the closing session of the four-day meeting, FfD 3 Co-Facilitator George Talbot, Permanent Representative of Guyana, stressed the need to identify more clearly what the ambitious components of the FfD 3 outcome will be, and said a revised zero draft of the FfD 3 outcome, based on the inputs received during the drafting session that took place on 13-17 April 2015, will be circulated in the beginning of May. Talbot also announced that additional time for negotiations has been secured for: 11-15 May 2015; 26-29 May 2015; and 1-5 June 2015. [IISD RS Summary & Analysis] [IISD RS Photos & Daily Highlights] [IISD RS Story on Opening Session]


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