Setting key targets in achieving sustainable development goals

I have the honor to make this statement on behalf of AOSIS. We also align ourselves with the statement made by the Distinguished Permanent Representative of Bolivia on behalf of the G77 & China. Co-Chairs, RIO Document, The Future We Want, provides, “Means of implementation is indispensable for achieving the full and effective translation of sustainable development commitments into tangible sustainable development outcomes.” We underscore that success in the implementation and achievement of sustainable development goals for SIDS is largely determined by the timeliness and efficiency in the mobilization, utility, and application of well defined required means of implementation, including capacity, finance, and technology. The strengthening of existing and developing new global partnership for harnessing its full potential with all relevant stakeholders is also critical as this would support efficient delivery of the means of implementation, particularly for SIDS. Moreover, the creation and promotion of enabling environment must be congenial for effective implementation. And the process of implementation should be continuously monitored, evaluated, and reported on to ensure timely action is taken by all relevant stakeholders when necessary Co-Chairs, As in any planning, the process of sustainable development involves setting goals (like we are currently doing), determining our required resources (means of implementation), and then taking the steps needed to reach those goals. We want to highlight that the key element in this process is TIME. Understanding the relationship between our Vision and Aspirations, the intensifying challenges we face, TIME, and Means of Implementation will help us develop the appropriate Goals and Targets for our sustainable development pathway. And once we have put that strategy in place, TIME and efficiency will be our most powerful ally in making it a success. Co-Chairs, Means of implementation should be attached to each and every goal. It underpins and cuts across the entire Sustainable Development Goals. It cannot be a stand-alone Goal. We welcome all the possible targets provided under Focus Area 18, and offer the following, reflecting the specific needs of SIDS: Target 1. Providing financial and technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacity of developing countries, especially SIDS, in sustainable development planning, macroeconomic policy, management, international trade, development financing, and data collection and analysis. Target 2. Developing and implementing comprehensive strategic control mechanism for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on progress of SDG implementation at all levels. Target 3. Establishment and implementation of regional technology transfer facilities to provide, inter alia, sound and appropriate technologies to developing countries, in particular countries in special situation especially SIDS, to support sustainable development programs. Target 4. Fostering scientific, knowledge-sharing, and technical cooperation, including North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation. Target 5. Facilitating informed policy decision-making on sustainable development with a science-policy interface. Target 6. Strengthening support to developing countries, especially SIDS, in their efforts to develop and implement national development strategies and programs. Target 7. Increasing representation of developing countries, particularly countries in special situation, including SIDS, in decision-making at the international financial system and UN development system. Target 8. Establishment and implementation of national and regional information and communication technology platforms and information dissemination hubs in LDCs and SIDS to facilitate information exchange. Target 9. Establishment and implementation of financial mechanism at all levels to facilitate financing capital formation for sustainable development programs. Target 10. Fulfilling commitments on official development assistance to developing countries, including SIDS. Target 11. Provisioning of predictable additional financial resources for sustainable development. Target 12. Strengthening inclusive and equitable trading system at all levels. Target 13. Scaling up investment in vocational, entrepreneurial, and technical skills training to build human capacity for sustainable development in developing countries, especially SIDS. Target 14. Improving efficiency and increasing flexibility of international community and financial institutions in the extension of grants and concessionary debt financing for sustainable development for countries in special situation, especially SIDS. Co-Chairs, We look forward to working with all our partners in this process to ensure that it provides a framework for the delivery of TIMELY sufficient means of implementation and effective partnership to allow for us to go beyond the rhetoric of sustainable development and make real, measurable progress on the ground in the post-2015 development framework. Thank you.