22 July 2014: UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo, commented on the outcome of the UN’s Open Working Group (OWG) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that “Member States have shown a determination and willingness to work together for people and planet that bodes well for the General Assembly’s negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda,” and that the proposed set of 17 goals brings together economic, social and environmental issues “like never before.”

Assistant Secretary-General Thomas Gass, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), also hailed the OWG outcome as a milestone. He highlighted the key role played by the Co-Chairs, Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi of Hungary and Ambassador Macharia Kamau of Kenya, as well as the engagement of Member States and the active involvement of civil society.

The OWG agreed to submit its proposal for 17 goals to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), on 19 July 2014 at the close of its 13th session. The UNGA will consider the proposed goals as part of its discussions on the post-2015 development agenda, which is expected to be adopted in September 2015. [DESA Press Release] [UN Press Release] [IISD RS Coverage of OWG 13]