10 February 2014
OWG Completes Stocktaking Phase
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The UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held its eighth and final stocktaking meeting, with a focus on: oceans and seas, forests, and biodiversity; promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women's empowerment; and conflict prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding and the promotion of durable peace, rule of law and governance.

OWG Completes Stocktaking Phase7 February 2014: During the eighth and final stocktaking meeting of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), delegates focused on: oceans and seas, forests, and biodiversity; promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment; and conflict prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding and the promotion of durable peace, rule of law and governance.

OWG 8 took place from 3-7 February 2014, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

Delegates emphasized that oceans, seas and forests account for a large percentage of global biodiversity, and noted the importance of each of these topics for poverty alleviation, food security, water quality and other development objectives. During discussions on equity and gender equality, and conflict and rule of law, participants highlighted that these issues are integral components of sustainable development. Past, unresolved debates over these issues and their underlying implications for sovereignty, the international structure, and resource flows revealed that the Group’s task over the upcoming five decision-making meetings will be complex and will require careful navigation to maintain the spirit of what Co-Chair Macharia Kamau called “our lovely OWG.” [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [OWG 8 Webpage]


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