By Holy See Mission
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See
Intergovernmental Negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda
Follow up and Review of the post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, 19 May, 2015Distinguished Co-facilitators,
At the outset, my delegation would like to emphasize the importance of this IGN session, since an adequate follow-up and review mechanism was one of the initial shortcomings of the Millennium Development Framework. Indeed, such a mechanism is an essential aspect for guiding the Post-2015 Agenda toward the global community’s shared visions of poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development. In this agenda, each of us has, not only a stake, but also a shared responsibility to move beyond promises toward real and verifiable results. No matter the mechanism, let us not forget that it is the poor, and those living in vulnerable situations, that must always have a priority in our discussions.
With these shared visions in mind, my delegation is supportive of a robust, effective, and transparent follow-up and review framework. This follow-up and review framework needs to be global, and we look favorably on the HLPF, as mandated by the Rio+20 processes and in accordance with RES 67/290, of being such a mechanism. It should focus primarily on global efforts to promote sustainable development, while also taking account of national assessments and reviews conducted by member states regarding the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in their respective countries.
Distinguished Co-facilitators, on this topic, my delegation would like to touch briefly on two points:
First, a robust, effective, and transparent follow up and review mechanism will only be successful if it is government-led and voluntary. Therefore, it must be structured in such a way that countries, viewing it as a beneficial and valuable exercise, are encouraged to participate in it.
In the same vein, many governments will only be encouraged to participate, if the global follow-up and review mechanism takes into account national development priorities. The spirit of the mechanism should be constructive rather than judgmental, while emphasizing the progress countries have made in the implementation of the SDGs and identifying those areas where improvement can be made.
My delegation is of the opinion that this mechanism should review progress and achievements, while also being a mechanism for countries to come together to share experiences and best practices in order to help each other alleviate their own challenges and gaps in implementing the SDGs.
Second, the global follow-up and review needs also to take into account national capacities and varying levels of development. This review mechanism should be thorough, but it should not further limit the capacities of developing countries otherwise, their implementation of the SDGs may become unmanageable for them. Nonetheless, the global community needs to support developing countries, and in particular those countries in vulnerable situations, such as LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS with data collection and reporting capacities. Next year, the global community should not be in a situation where a country would like to participate in the follow-up and review, but does not have the capacities to do so, especially since these countries are, perhaps, the countries that need the most global support and guidance.
In conclusion, Distinguished Co-facilitators, my delegation wishes to reiterate that the concept behind the review mechanism should have as its main objective advancing the well-being and human development of all, especially the poor and those living in vulnerable situations.
Thank you.
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