New York – 27 May 2015

Delivered by H.E. Denis G. Antoine, Permanent Representative of Grenada on behalf of President Kutesa

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of H.E. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the General Assembly, I thank all of you for your valuable contributions throughout these Informal Interactive Hearings on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Throughout these hearings, we heard resounding calls for an ambitious, transformative and inclusive post-2015 development agenda. Many speakers noted that all stakeholders will have instrumental roles to play if we are to achieve our sustainable development objectives.

Civil society should serve as important linkages between governments and local communities, while also enhancing accountability and fostering greater participation at all levels.

Businesses should make an important contribution towards promoting sustainable growth and creating jobs to lift people out of poverty, while new approaches to philanthropy will harness synergies across all stakeholder groups.

Participants highlighted the need to ensure that the new agenda fosters shared prosperity where no one is left behind, including youth, women, those with disabilities or otherwise marginalized groups. Many speakers emphasized the need for the new agenda to be holistic and to integrate the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

Many speakers stressed that the Declaration for the new agenda should be short and visionary; highlighting the complementarity between poverty eradication and sustainable development. Others proposed that it should be based on the principles of universal human rights, rule of law, good governance and social equality.

We heard proposals that an indicators framework and disaggregated data that accounts for the vulnerable and marginalized will help in monitoring progress on achievement of goals and targets and ensuring that gaps are addressed.

On follow-up and review, the need for an effective framework at national, regional and international levels was underscored for ownership and mutual accountability.

On means of implementation, speakers stressed the need to mobilise resources from all sources; domestic and external, public and private. They also emphasized the importance a renewed global partnership for development, fulfilment of traditional official development assistance (ODA) commitments, greater private sector engagement, multi-stakeholder participation, private philanthropy, and innovative mechanisms for financing. The need to foster greater accountability in the management of resources, combating corruption, illicit financial flows and strengthening cooperation in tax matters was also stressed.

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

Over the last two days we heard views and proposals from non-governmental organizations, civil society, major groups, the private sector, and Member States on the main components of the new development agenda.

A summary of the key messages and proposals that have emerged from these interactive hearings will be prepared and circulated to Member States and stakeholders in the coming days.

Once again, I thank you all for your valuable contributions and active participation.