28 November 2013: Parliamentarians from 32 countries around the world called on the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to consult with and involve parliamentarians in assessing the progress of the new global framework. Their recommendations are directed to the OWG’s Eighth Meeting in February 2014, which will include discussions of gender equality, peace building, governance and rule of law.

The International Parliamentary Conference on the Post-2015 Development Agenda convened from 25-28 November 2013, in London, UK, jointly organized by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

In a video message, Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, noted that the UN’s MY World global survey reflects all countries’ prioritization of honest and effective governance. She recognized the contribution of the CPA, the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Pan-African Parliament and other parliamentary organizations in generating support and action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She recalled that the 128th IPU Assembly, held in Ecuador in March 2013, called on parliaments to play a central role in implementing future SDGs.

Besides recommendations to the OWG, the Conference also issued a communiqué and action plan. The communiqué calls for a single set of goals, and adoption of a stand-alone gender goal, recognizing its linkages with achievement of other goals in other areas.

In the closing plenary, Amina Mohammed, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, commended parliamentarians’ support for ending poverty by 2030, and recognized their critical role role in law making, budget approval and oversight. [CPA Press Release] [Statement of UNDP Administrator] [Conference Website] [Recommendations for Parliamentary Engagement] [Conference Communiqué; Post-2015 Action Plan for Parliamentarians]