14 July 2014: The UN General Assembly’s Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) opened its 13th and final session at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 14 July. The Group aims to complete a full reading of the Revised Zero Draft of goals and targets by Wednesday, 16 July, and finalize its report to the UNGA by Friday, 18 July.

OWG 13 follows three days of informal-informal consultations on 9-11 July. In those consultations, the Group reviewed proposed SDGs 1-11, on: End poverty everywhere; End hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; Attain healthy lives for all; Provide quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all; Attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere; Ensure availability and sustainable use of water and sanitation for all; Ensure sustainable energy for all; Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; Promote sustainable infrastructure and industrialization and foster innovation; Reduce inequality within and between countries; and Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable.

OWG 13 opened with a brief formal session to hear general statements from delegations. It then reverted to an informal session to take up SDGs 12-17, on: Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns; Tackle climate change and its impacts; Conserve and promote sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources; Protect and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halt desertification, land degradation and biodiversity loss; Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and effective and capable institutions; and Strengthen the means of implementation and the global partnership for sustainable development. [IISD RS Sources] [Zero Draft Rev 1] [IISD RS Story on Revised Zero Draft] [OWG Website]