Multi-stakeholder respondents call for NGOs to be Involved in the Planning, Implementation and Review Stages of the Post 2015 Development Agenda

GFDD/Funglode attended the Informal Interactive Hearings with Representatives of Non-governmental Organizations, Civil Society, Major Groups and the Private Sector on the Post-2015 Development Agenda from Tuesday May 26 to Wednesday May 27. The two day event was organized by H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the UN General Assembly in conjunction with the co-facilitators for the post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations. The hearings provided an opportunity for
multi-stakeholders to exchange views and make proposals on the post-2015 development agenda at a critical stage of the intergovernmental negotiations, shortly before the June release of the zero draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 development agenda.

The hearings contained several interactive roundtables on key
issues of the post-2015 development agenda such as: a) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Targets, and Indicators; b) Means of Implementation and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development; c) Follow up and Review.

The roundtable on the Sustainable Development Goals, Targets, and Indicators established that there was a general consensus from the public that it wanted to be informed on the success of the agenda following its implementation. It also made apparent
that the SDGs were lacking targets in support of Indigenous Peoples and access to water, key components of the UN’s development system.

The next session looked at Means of Implementation and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This discussion highlighted that technology was a key trigger for realizing the SDGs, and that an SDG innovation fund could go a long way to make use of the the talent of young people and the power of the private sector to
invest in the poor. The session concluded by stressing the role of governments, explaining that they have an important responsibility for implementing institutional plans that make the post-2015 development agenda a shared agenda.

The last roundtable considered issues related to Follow up and Review. The discussion emphasized the importance for NGOs
to be involved in the process, so as to provide capacity and help establish national and multi-stakeholder engagement sessions to assess progress on the implementation of the SDGs. The multi-stakeholder respondents explained that these engagement sessions could be structured as yearly peer reviews, conducted at the regional level with the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. This inclusive process would thereby reinforce the participatory nature of the new development agenda and help
implement the 17 SDGs.

Related links:
http://www.un.org/pga/26-270515_informal-interactive-hearings/

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/sustainabledevelopmentgoals