NGO Major Group Minutes 2016
NGO Major Group Webinar Meeting
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Notes by Jeffery Huffines, CIVICUS
Update on Agenda 2030 developments by Lotta Tahtinen, DESA/DSD
HLPF 2016 Preparations
●22 Member States have volunteered to be reviewed that now includes Colombia. The
preparation of national reports are now in full swing. Volunteer countries have held two
meetings in Dubai and New York. There have been regional meetings of volunteering
countries in Asia-Pacific in Bangkok last week as well as in ECE & ECA. There will be a
global gathering in NY on 26-27 April for 22 volunteering countries only.
●The HLPF will include 5 days of an expert meeting and a 3 day ministerial meeting,11-20
July. The HLPF program has yet to be released. The President of ECOSOC is still trying
to distinguish between the two different segments and how to reflect national
presentations in both or in just one segment of the HLPF. He will initiate some
consultations on a proposal towards the end of April or early May. Once it is DESA/DSD
will post information on the DESA web site.
●The deadline for the submission of position papers for the HLPF by MGoS is 25 April.
Please remain within word count of 2200 words.
●UN DESA/DSD has circulated a call for side events that is open for Member States, UN
System, MGoS, that is available on the website here. The deadline is 1 June 2016.
●The MGoS will be convening an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) next Tuesday, 19 April, to
discuss two key issues: how to shape voluntary reports by MGoS, and seeking views on
recommending innovative ways for MGoS participation in HLPF building on extensive
provisions of GA res 67/290. There will be 30 funded participants coming from around the
world.
Negotiations on follow up and review
●The GA co-facilitators Denmark & Belize have held meetings on 31 March & 1 April and
informal consultations with civil society and private sector on 6 April. Based on the
feedback received, the co-facilitators will issue an ‘elements paper’ shortly that will
outline elements for a draft resolution to be negotiated in May.
●The views of Member States are quite divided. Many have reiterated that the 2030
Agenda already provides detailed guidance on follow up & review at national, regional and
global levels, so there is no appetite to re-legislate on these matters. The SG report on
global review, to which Member States, UN System and MGoS also contributed, is seen
to be a good basis for discussions. Any resolution that they will negotiate will focus on
issues to be decided now, and just reaffirm principles of Agenda 2030 follow up.
●One question is should there be a decision on the programme of work for HLPF themes
for a 4 year cycle. Another discussion is how to make sure that functional commissions