The Post-2015 Development Agenda

László Borbély July 8, 2015, Bucharest

well-being for today and tomorrow

• Since the creation of the United Nations peoples have aspired to make progress on global issues like peace and security, freedom and development, and the environment

• The term sustainable development rose to significance after it was first used in the Brundtland report in 1987

• Three pillars: environmental, economic and social

definitionThe most frequently quoted definition is from Our Common Future (the Brundtland Report, 1987):

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:

• the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of theworld's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and

• the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.”

Millennium Development Goals

• September 2000 world leaders adopted the Millennium Declaration committing their nations to a series of time-bound goals and targets the Millennium Development Goals, to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015

• Did not succeed 100% but paved the way forward for global sustainable development

• They are considered the most successful anti-poverty push in history: deadline 2015

Sustainable Development Goals

• Negotiated right now, to guide global effort of sustainable development balancing its three dimensions:– Economic growth– Social protection– Environmental sustainability

• They will be adopted in September this year at New York at the General Assembly of the United Nations

lessons for the future

• The SDGs will focus more on sustainable production and consumption patterns

• 17 goals to unite global actions to fight:– Extreme poverty and hunger– Improving education– Making cities more sustainable

– Combat climate change– Protecting oceans and

forests

the 17 new goals proposed (a)1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote

sustainable agriculture3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong

learning opportunities for all5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation

for all7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for

all8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and

productive employment and decent work for all9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable

industrialization and foster innovation

the 17 new goals proposed (b)10. Reduce inequality within and among countries11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for

sustainable development15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,

sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

how to measure achievement? goals, targets, indicators

An example from the Independent Research Forum - Definitions and key concepts for the post-2015 development agenda at http://www.irf2015.org/sites/default/files/publications/Retreat%20%232_Background_Paper_2_and_3_GTI_and_Criteria.pdf

what can we do?

• Governments: integration of sustainable development in all public policies, including into the school curricula

• Parliaments: legal framework, national budgets, review process

• Civil society: cooperation with the public institutions, education for sustainable living and consumption

• Business sector: switch to sustainable production patterns, partnership with public institutions

why should we?

• Simple: no other choice if we want to live on this planet

• Avoid armed conflict for resources, anarchy and famine

• Create a future we would want for us and the next generations• To preserve the well being of mankind on Earth

Romania

• National Sustainable Development Strategy published in 2008

• Active role in CSD 19 (before HLPFSD):– 10YFP on sustainable production &

consumption patterns, input for Rio +20 Conference

• Parliament, Chamber of Deputies : – Regional Seminar on SDGs, June 2015– Sustainable Development Committee

Thank you!