By Holy See Mission
Intervention of the Holy See
Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
General Statement on the Final Draft, Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, 20 July 2015Distinguished Co-facilitators,
My delegation would like to thank you for your efforts in producing the final draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda, and we appreciate that it takes into account many of the proposals and viewpoints from the previous drafting sessions. We believe that this draft moves the international community further in the right direction toward an agenda that sets out to end poverty and to achieve sustainable development for humanity and the planet.
In general, my delegation welcomes that the draft recognizes that poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge and that it is resolved to free humanity from the tyranny of poverty in all its forms, but we would emphasize that the draft should declare that poverty eradication is the agenda’s primary and overarching objective. This affirmation with an added emphasis on the multi-dimensional forms of poverty ensures that nobody will be left behind.
On the preamble, my delegation can support the changes made by the Co-facilitators, and we are content with the arrangement according to the 5Ps: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. However, my delegation is of the view that both the preamble and declaration should speak more directly on the importance of the integration and the indivisibility of the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. One pillar certainly cannot be addressed in isolation from another. For example, preference for the protection of the environment or economic growth, without first considering the dignity of the human person and the common good of society as a whole, would be contrary to the very nature of the agenda.
As Pope Francis pointed out in his recent encyclical Laudato Si’, “strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.” The holistic approach taken by the agenda is an important step forward from an eventual siloed approach.
On the declaration, my delegation finds that it is both inspirational and well-crafted, and its new arrangement seems to be a logical modification. We maintain the position that the declaration is still too long, causing some of the agenda’s purpose and key elements to become lost. Along these lines, my delegation remains uncomfortable that the declaration attempts, several times, to summarize the SDGs, which can lead to the reinterpretation and re-prioritization of substance, especially in the “New Agenda” section.
On specific wording:
in paragraph 4, we would propose to stop the second sentence after “peoples;”
in paragraph 8, we would propose to change “child,” in the second line to “girl;”
in paragraph 22, we would reformulate the paragraph to use agreed terminology to “people in vulnerable situations.”
We can send these comments to you in writing.
Distinguished Co-facilitators,
Regarding the SDGs and targets, my delegation is of the view that it should include the Chapeau to the Report and reservations. It is also important to clarify the question of reservations, in order to understand properly how they will be reflected in the text.
On means of implementation, my delegation is supportive of strong and focused MOI section, recognizing that it is foundational for the fulfilment of the agenda. We encourage the mobilization of both financial and non-financial resources through all channels, including capacity building and science, technology, and innovation assistance, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Development States (SIDS), countries in conflict and post-conflict situations and all countries in special situations.
On follow-up and review, my delegation supports the draft’s establishment of a robust, effective, inclusive, and transparent framework, as well as its acknowledgment that it will be based on mutual trust with a goal of mutual learning. Nonetheless, similar to other delegations, we have specific concerns regarding the indicator framework, which we will share in greater detail later on this week.
Finally, my delegation strongly believes that this new agenda should avoid the usage of ambiguous or controversial terms and concepts. This agenda is universal and should speak to all, it should be idealistic and compelling, designed to inspire and not to frustrate, to unite and not to divide.
Thank you.
Copyright © 2015-2021 The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations