Mr. Wu Hongbo Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Secretary-General for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development
First drafting session on the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development
30 January 2015, New York
Dear Co-Facilitators,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to address this first drafting session on the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.
This week, you have embarked on the second stage of your journey to Addis Ababa. In the two rounds of substantive sessions last year, you took stock of the full range of issues on finance and other means of implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. In this first drafting session, you have started discussing the deliverables of the Conference and seeking agreement on an ambitious outcome document.
It is a difficult task. Expectations are very high.
The financing framework and other means of implementation are critical elements of the post-2015 development agenda. The Addis Ababa Conference is an opportunity to spell out this comprehensive framework for implementation of the sustainable development agenda and the SDGs.
I urge you to retain the spirit of ambition and cooperation expressed over the past three days.
Excellencies,
As you continue your work on the outcome document in the months ahead, I encourage you to keep in mind the following four challenges.
First, you are tasked with formulating a comprehensive financing framework for sustainable development. This framework must address the three dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced manner, with poverty eradication at its core. It must also be relevant to the implementation of the SDGs, and should seek coherence and maximize synergies with other financing streams, including climate finance.
Second, you need to further reflect on the concrete policy commitments and other deliverables that you intend to bring to the Conference. The level of ambition you have shown in formulating the SDGs must be matched by an equally bold effort in Addis Ababa. That is how you can create momentum for the Summit in September and for the Paris Conference on Climate Change in December.
Third, if Addis Ababa is to support the implementation of the sustainable development agenda, you need to ensure that the agreement remains alive beyond 2015. Effective monitoring and review are necessary at the national, regional and global levels. You will need to agree on key elements and mechanisms that should be in place to ensure a strong and meaningful follow-up process.
Fourth, the outcome of Addis Ababa Conference should be realistic and practical, taking into account different country situations. It is not a pledging conference or fund-raising event for a narrow purpose or selected country group. There is no “one size fits all” template or magic solution for development finance. National ownership and leadership is of key importance. Honouring international commitments already made is of equal importance.
As the Secretary-General of the Conference, I stand ready to support you in this endeavor. My Department and the Financing for Development Office in particular is working closely with the two co-facilitators and the full membership to make the Conference a success.
The major institutional stakeholders of the Financing for Development process, including the World Bank, IMF, WTO, UNCTAD and UNDP, will continue to be fully engaged. Civil society and business sector representatives will be able to provide important inputs, including through the two-day hearings in March. The regional commissions will organise regional consultations over the coming months that will further inform your deliberations.
Distinguished delegates,
I hope that your drafting work will be inspired by the spirit of Monterrey. Monterrey serves as an example not only for living up to the expectations of the global community, but also for doing so in a timely manner. As you know, the Monterrey Consensus was agreed in good time before the Conference. Just a few months ago, we defied expectations and managed to do the same for the Samoa Conference on Small Island Developing States.
I trust that you will join the co-facilitators in making every effort to achieve a similar success for Addis Ababa.
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