New York – The United Nations has today released their synthesis report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to member states. The report brings together existing information on the SDGs, which will replace the current Millennium Development Goals in 2015.

Speaking in response, Michael Elliott, President and CEO of The ONE Campaign, said:

“2015 is a really big deal. The UN Secretary General’s report is a welcome drive to kickstart the global effort to end extreme poverty by 2030, and we echo his calls for an ambitious plan to finance the next chapter for development. 

 “These draft goals could yet become the basis of a global contract for a world where nobody lives in hunger or dies of extreme poverty. But that won’t happen unless people have access to information and can hold governments and others to account.

 “Meanwhile, if 2015 is to realize its promise, leaders need to step up right at the beginning of the year. They have a perfect chance to do so at the Gavi replenishment conference in Berlin. We will be watching to see if world leaders deliver the resources to fund enough vaccinations to save more than 5 million lives in the next five years”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

A link to the full UN report is here: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1561

The principles guiding the creation of the SDGs, which will be finalised nest year, are:

8 Principles

1. commit to a universal approach, and with solutions that address all countries and all groups;
2. integrate sustainability in all activities, mindful of economic, environmental and social impacts;
3. address inequalities in all areas, agreeing that no goal or target be considered met unless met for all social and economic groups;
4. ensure that all actions respect and advance human rights, in full coherence with international standards;
5. address the drivers of climate change and its consequences;
6. base our analysis in credible data and evidence, enhancing data capacity, availability, disaggregation, literacy and sharing;
7. expand our global partnership for means of implementation to maximum effect, and full participation, including multi-stakeholder, issue-based coalitions; and
8. anchor the new compact in a renewed commitment to international solidarity, commensurate with the ability of each country to contribute.

6 essential elements

1. Dignity: to end poverty and fight inequality
2. People: to ensure healthy lives, knowledge, and the inclusion of women and children
3. Prosperity: to grow a strong, inclusive, and transformative economy
4. Planet: to protect our ecosystems for all societies and our children
5. Justice: to promote safe and peaceful societies, and strong institutions
6. Partnership: to catalyse global solidarity for sustainable development