Forum’s Post-2015 Coordinator, Adjmal Dulloo, speaks at the HLPF

The following is a transcript of the speech given by Forum’s Post-2015 Coordinator, Adjmal Dulloo, at the Civil Society Briefing of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2015 (2nd meeting), in June 2015.

“Volunteer groups have worked diligently to channel the voice of volunteerism into the post-2015 process through a number of avenues, including this forum, the open working group, and inter-governmental negotiations. Volunteer groups have brought volunteers to share their personal experiences as perspectives at these processes. The opportunities that have been provided for volunteer groups in this forum have enabled the contributions of volunteers to be shared and made more visible, and have undoubtedly enriched the dialogues and outcomes.

The post-2015 development agenda will incorporate two principles that are intrinsically linked: universality and inclusion. The mandate of the HLPF will be strong and successful only if governments worldwide commit to a development agenda that is inclusive, sustainable and universal. The participation of civil society and all relevant stakeholders, including volunteer groups in the functions of the HLPF will be a key element in successfully implementing the SDGs as we collectively improve the practice of the MDGs.

During the annual review of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, volunteer groups look forward to actively participating alongside other global stakeholders. While Member States are the primary duty bearers in this partnership, volunteer groups will continue to be accountable to our stakeholders and will continue to promote the voices of communities and their contributions to the SDGs.

People, communities and other key stakeholders, including volunteer groups, must be acknowledged as key partners and welcomed as participants at every level. This necessitates the provision of a broader enabling environment for the participation of all people and organisations. The HLPF has a critical role to play in insuring that accountability mechanisms and multi-stakeholder or cross-sector partnerships are in place at every level.

Please allow me to present to you a few recommendations for the HLPF:

Volunteer groups ask the HLPF to formally recognise the importance of volunteering as a cost-cutting means of implementation for the SDGs and in monitoring and evaluating progress towards meeting the SDGs on a global, national and local level.
We’ve asked you to follow the lead of Member States by affirming the full support for the implementation of Resolution 67290 which breaks new grounds for the participation of all stakeholders, including volunteer groups.
Ensure that data for monitoring of the SDGs is captured through participatory processes and includes the perspectives of the most marginalised, as well as the volunteers that work closest to them.
Ensure the accountability, transparency, and a review framework for the SDGs involves community consultations at all levels including representation of the most marginalised voices, as well as the voices of individual volunteering to support governments in delivery of their SDG promise.
Create a dedicated, permanent and independent secretariat in order to deliver a global review and follow up for the post-2015 agenda. This would need to be sufficiently resourced to enable the HLPF to effectively coordinate HLPF sessions and reviews, to support Member States in their efforts, to coordinate assessments of global progress, to facilitate the broad engagement of stakeholders including volunteer groups, and to manage an agenda of periodic, thematic and institutional assessment.

In closing, let’s make sure we work together in designing a UN system with an architecture of civic engagement that builds on the good practice of the past, supports effective, diverse and full engagement of all stakeholders in the sustainable development era.”

Watch the full speech here:
http://webtv.un.org/watch/civil-society-briefing-high-level-political-forum-on-sustainable-development-2015-2nd-meeting/4330832050001