The UN SDGs and Post-2015 Development Agenda USCIB’s Ongoing Involvement

Background on the Post 2015 Development Agenda

4540_image002Since Rio+20, the United Nations has combined a several related deliberations into an ambitious initiative, collectively referred to as the Post 2015 Development Agenda.  This initiative aims to establish an internationally endorsed framework for economic, social and environmental progress, including the establishment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Related elements include next steps for the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); new agenda-setting assessments in ecosystems and biodiversity (IPBES, GEO); and numerous linked climate change and energy initiatives.

USCIB’s input to the UN Process at Rio+20 and beyond

USCIB has been active in multiple UN processes:

  • Norine Kennedy was on hand at Rio+20, representing US industry and serving as advisor to the US government delegation
  • Adam Greene provided input to papers by the International Organization of Employers, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD on Post-2015 and the Sustainable Development Goals
  • USCIB submitted comments on a draft report by Jeffrey Sachs: “An Action Agenda for Sustainable Development.”  Sachs is Director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the UN Secretary General’s special advisor on the MDG’s.

USCIB’s Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals

USCIB will be tracking these complex discussions to their conclusion and has established a cross-cutting Working Group to develop USCIB positions and represent business views in UN negotiations. Two dozen USCIB members have joined the Working Group thus far. This SDG group will:

  • develop USCIB policy and strategy on the SDGs
  • advocate USCIB positions with the U.S. Government, the UN and other relevant actors
  • participate in relevant UN forums and negotiations on the SDG’s
  • coordinate positions with our international business affiliates (ICC, IOE and BIAC)

U.S. Council Foundation’s Green Economies Dialogue

The US Council Foundation, along with numerous partners and sponsors, launched the Green Economies Dialogue (GED) project in 2011. In its first phase, GED1 developed information, tools and a platform for business to engage with national governments, thought leaders, academics and others on the way to Rio+20. These included convening dialogue events in Washington, Paris, Beijing, Tokyo and Brasilia, and inviting a set of peer-reviewed papers published in Energy Economics that provided academic Green Perspectives on business-relevant issues.  Through BIAC, GED1 provided input to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on green growth and sustainable development, which built on the 2011 OECD Green Growth Strategy. GED1 products, networks and activities for engagement provide an evergreen platform for business to build on to participate in and contribute to Post 2015 Development discussions.

Phase 2 of the GED project (GED2) will direct its focus to “green economy” and “green growth” aspects of the U.N.’s Post 2015 Development Agenda and related UNEP and OECD efforts.  Based on early indications in the Post 2015 Development Agenda and stocktaking events with OECD and UNEP, GED has identified potential new areas for additional academic papers.

USCIB’s September events during the UN General Assembly

USCIB is planning a host of events during September’s UN General Assembly, including a Roundtable on meaningful business engagement in the UN, co-organized with the ICC; a Green Economies Dialogue session; and an all day UN “door knock” program that would allow USCIB Members to meet with select UN delegates and officials.

Staff contact: Norine Kennedy

Staff Contact:   Norine Kennedy

Senior VP, Policy and Global Strategy
Tel: 212.703.5052

Norine Kennedy promotes U.S. business participation in international environmental policy and management initiatives, and works closely with industry, government and NGOs to promote sustainable development and green growth. She also spearheads USCIB’s strategic international engagement initiative, which seeks to advance meaningful business participation and regulatory diplomacy in inter-governmental organizations.
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