Mr. Wu Hongbo Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Secretary-General for the International Conference on Small Island Developing States

Closing Remarks
Fifth session of the
Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing

8 August 2014, New York

Excellencies,
Distinguished Experts and Representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have now completed your work.  I have not the slightest doubt that the report you have adopted will provide a significant contribution to the post-2015 development agenda.  

As a Committee, under the exemplary leadership of our distinguished co-chairs, you must take great pride in this significant accomplishment.

I see three major steps forward.

First, you have put forward a conceptual framework, building on the spirit of Rio + 20 and the Monterrey Consensus, for an effective sustainable development financing strategy. In addition to the post-2015 development agenda, this framework will serve as substantive input to the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.  

Second, you have proposed a basket of policy options – indeed, a host of rich policy options – that will help guide governments and stakeholders as we steer, collectively, towards a sustainable development pathway.

Third, your report will be an important input to continuing efforts to strengthen the global partnership for development.

As I mentioned at the opening, Members States have repeatedly emphasized their determination to craft a strong post-2015 development agenda, built on a single framework and set of goals, universal in nature and applicable to all countries. And, this is with a clear recognition of the intrinsic inter-linkage between poverty eradication and the promotion of sustainable development.

As you know, the intergovernmental negotiations to arrive at this agenda will commence in the fall, and will culminate in the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda.

The report you have adopted today, as well as the report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, and the Secretary-General’s synthesis report – to be released at the end of the year – will provide important inputs and set the stage for these negotiations.

Distinguished Experts,

We will soon embark on the last leg of our journey towards a post-2015 sustainable development agenda.  

We must present to the world leaders and, indeed, to the world’s people, an outcome that will make a difference in our shared undertaking to achieve a sustainable future.  You have been a critical part of this journey. 

By presenting both a strong conceptual framework and a wide range of policy options, you have contributed to enabling an intergovernmental agreement on the means of implementation necessary to achieve sustainable development for all.

As we go forward, your report will help guide our actions as an international community, as national governments, as engaged stakeholders from all sectors.

Distinguished Experts,

Sustainable development is the only option for humanity, for our shared planet, and for our common future. Thank you for doing your part, and I wish you a safe journey home. 

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