UN General Assembly’s Open Working Group proposes sustainable development goals
United Nations Press Release, New York, 22 July 2014 –The UN General Assembly's Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals forwarded to the Assembly its proposal for a set ofGoals that consider economic, social and environmental dimensions to improve people’s lives and protect the planet for future generations at the conclusion of the Group’s thirteenth and final session at UN Headquarters on Saturday, 19 July.
The proposal contains 17 goals with 169 targets covering a broad range of sustainable development issues, including
ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting oceans and forests. As stated by UN Under-Secretary-General Wu Hongbo, “The proposal of the Open Working Group brings together a breadth of economic, social and environmental issues in a single set of goals like never before. All those involved in crafting these 17 goals can be proud of themselves.Member States have shown a determination and willingness to work together for people and planet that bodes wellfor the General Assembly's negotiations on the post-2015
development agenda.”
In commenting on the outcome, UN DESA’s Assistant Secretary-General Thomas Gass hailed it as a milestone, highlighting the key role played by the Co-Chairs Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi of Hungary and Ambassador Macharia Kamau of Kenya, the high-level engagement of MemberStates and the active involvement of civil society.
See for commentary 'Second step taken towards sustainable development goals' by Imme Scholz, German Development Institute