UNGA Debate Addresses “Second Generation” of MDGs

World leaders addressing the 67th UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Debate on 28 September expressed concern about achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with some stressing the need for continued financing to meet targets. Speakers also gave statements on defining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 development framework, and addressed outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

Several leaders supported the SDGs, including José Badia, Minister for External Relations of Monaco; Carl Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden; Alfredo Moreno Charme, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Chile; and Kim Sung-Hwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa, recommended higher SDG thresholds to stimulate greater efforts and clear, measurable, targeted and time-bound benchmarks.

Several said the SDGs and post-2015 process should be complementary and not detract from accelerated MDG efforts, including Bernard Kamillius Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tanzania; Shrestha; and Michael Spindelegger, Vice-Chancellor and Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria.

Malielegaoi and Lord Tu’ivakano, Prime Minister of Tonga, welcomed the reaffirmation that small island developing States (SIDS) represent a special case for sustainable development. Malielegaoi cautioned that such recognition, however, without corresponding resources, can result in “a hollow victory.” Tu’ivakano drew attention to the "blue economy" and sustainable fisheries. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Malielegaoi and Tu’ivakano welcomed the decision to convene the Third UN Conference on Sustainable Development for SIDS in 2014.

Source: IISD Reporting Services