Distinguished co-facilitators,

On behalf of the EU and its Member States, I would like to thank you for convening this consultation and inviting us to thoroughly consider the process ahead of us.

You have asked us four questions. I will try to respond to them in turn.

But let me start by spelling out what we think should be our overall objective for the 2023 SDG Political Declaration: build on the good example established in 2019 to reflect the urgency to meet the SDGs and ensure specific and concrete commitments by Member States.

Concretely, that means (1) ensure a consensual, short, concise and action oriented Political Declaration, (2) maintain a holistic approach and avoid at all costs any revision of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, (3) focus on where the gaps in implementation of the 2030 Agenda are most significant, and (4) focus on breakthroughs that steer towards transformative and systemic change and go beyond assessment. 

1. In order to be relevant, impactful and source of high-level political guidance

The declaration should be science-based, reflect the urgency to implement holistically the 2030 Agenda and meet the SDGs in the face of multiple and intersecting crises. In order to do so, we have to link the 2030 Agenda to the current global challenges and develop a long term vision and solutions ensuring that we leave no one behind. The declaration needs clear commitments, a clear focus on the countries and regions that are facing the most significant challenges.

2. Elements that need to be included in the declaration:

The Declaration needs a geopolitical context, ways how to address consequences of the current situation while emphasizing inclusivity, the three dimensions of sustainable development, and important principles of the 2030 Agenda, such as Leaving  No One Behind, the link between peace and sustainable development, and the interlinkages between the SDGs and cross-cutting issues such as human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, policy coherence, good governance and the rule of law.

The recent overlapping and interlinked crisis have demonstrated the importance of social protection, support to the resilience of communities and households facing various shocks, including food, water, and energy insecurity. This demonstrates that one of the most relevant elements to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda commitments is precisely “Universal Social Protection”, and ensure that the capacity of public institutions is not undermined by endemic corruption. 

It needs to be clear that the 2030 Agenda is our common framework for a sustainable future. All processes need to be directed to accelerate implementation of the Agenda with global solidarity and cooperation, and not replace the Agenda. There should be an integral approach to transformations, seeking involvement of all levels of government, as localization is key to achieving SDGs. All stakeholders need to be engaged, including the private sector, academia, youth groups and civil society, notably those working in developing countries. Ensuring innovative financing for the SDGs will also be key.

3. Resources that should inform the deliberations

Findings from the Global sustainable Development Report and the Secretary-General’s SDG Progress Report should be examined. As appropriate these should be used to inform the measures and actions that need to be undertaken.

The 10 cross-cutting areas from 2019 HLPF Political Declaration could also be examined to see how these could possibly be used to inform current policy making and measures and actions that need to be undertaken.

We should build on the synergies between the various processes under Our Common Agenda, especially the work of the task-forces under the Summit of the Future, with particular attention to Future Generations. The Declaration and the Summit of the Future could be used to spur long term policies for achieving sustainable development.

Most recent UN conferences and outcomes should also inform the Political Declaration, among them the 2022 HLPF Ministerial Declaration, the conclusions of the 2022 Transforming Education Summit, CoP 27 and CoP15. The upcoming Financing for Development Forum, and the conferences on Least Developed Countries, Water, Sendai, and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions should also inform the negotiations.

 4. Necessary Transformations to improve SDG implementation

It has been demonstrated so far that political will is important, but changes need to happen in all sectors and walks of life in order to result in game-changing policies and a comprehensive social and ecological transitions.

VNRs are a key element informing implementation adapted to each national context. It is a clear lesson from the experience that multi stakeholder approaches in implementing the SDG Commitments lead to more success tackling inequality between and within countries.

Interconnections between Institutions and societies, both in government and outside government should be mainstreamed, and sustainability included in all policies, programmes, projects and investments. Implementation of the Agenda requires that SDGs are integrated into national strategies, and national budgeting oriented to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris commitments, a renewed reflection on vulnerability is also required.

Finally let us note that technology transfer, capacity building and adequate financing are also crucial, and unleashing an SDG implementation would require: aligning of public and private financial flows to the SDGs, leveraging new innovative sources of financing, and strengthening international cooperation and domestic resource mobilization.