Special Advisor on Post 2015 Development Planning -----------Keynote Address for Forum on the Future of the Caribbean: Disruptive Thinking. Bold Action. Practical Outcomes 7 May 2015 (Trinidad & Tobago) Keynote Address Introduction • Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be here today and glad to have the opportunity to discuss with you the essential role of the Caribbean in delivering on the post-2015 development agenda. • The post-2015 agenda is a universal agenda that builds on the MDGs toward an integrated vision to ensure an inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable future. • The universal and transformative nature of the agenda must reach every corner of the Caribbean to address the specific risks and vulnerabilities that surround the Small Island Developing States. Promoting a Sustainable Economy to address challenges of SIDS • To address these challenges in the Caribbean, the Post-2015 agenda calls for a renewed Global Partnership for sustainable development. • As you are aware, one of the most prominent challenges of SIDS is climate change, with its widespread adverse impacts to human health and the environment. 1 • The post-2015 agenda aims to tackle climate change in an integrated manner that maximizes the effectiveness and impact of the efforts of diverse stakeholders. • Sustainability is critical for long-term economic growth. Utilizing a holistic approach emphasizes the close connection between economic development and environmental sustainability and incorporates the co-benefits that matter to different audiences, such as green job creation, utility costs savings, open public space or sustainable tourism. • We must also address the issues of connectivity for the full integration of the Caribbean into the world economy by leveraging the power of information communication technologies (ICTs). The use of ICTs can improve the areas of health, education, agriculture, business, government and disaster risk reduction, and lead to tremendous positive impacts on the lives of many. • Therefore, governments in the Caribbean should align their national development plans and programs with the SDGs. • This includes improving resource efficiency, facilitating investments in renewable energy and sustainability infrastructure, regulating land use and other private behavior, and building resilience, including through climate adaption and mitigation. • By tying in such measures into broader economic goals, we are investing in our future to ensure economic, environmental and social sustainability. • The continued leadership and engagement of the Caribbean states in regional collaborations and in their individual capacities in this area 2 will be essential to coordinating the global effort to fight climate change in the context of sustainable development. Ensuring Social Inclusion for Economic and Human Development • Ladies and Gentlemen, the core of the post-2015 agenda is poverty eradication. In achieving sustainable development and dignity for all, the agenda aims to address the essential needs of the most marginalized populations so that no one is left behind. • To leave no one behind, the post-2015 agenda strives to reduce inequalities within and among countries, and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including minorities and women. Good governance and the rule of law will be essential to reducing crime and violence and ensuring human security. • Among the most vulnerable populations are women and children, who are disproportionately affected by conflict and climate impacts. • Women’s leadership and active participation are critical to promote peace, tackle climate change and ensure sustainable development. • Due to their social roles, women are the nexus to food, water and energy. Therefore, they hold the keys to climate action – their knowledge contributes to adaption strategies and their participation is vital to implementing mitigation plans within communities. • We must also unlock the potential of our youth, as they will be the torch-bearers of the post-2015 agenda and our future efforts to achieve sustainable development. • The empowerment of women and youth will be key to driving economic growth and ensuring sustainable development. We must in3 vest in our human capital to ensure stronger economies and peaceful, inclusive societies. Mobilizing all Means of Implementation to finance development • The post-2015 development agenda will need to be supported by adequate Means of Implementation, through a renewed Global Partnership. • Public financing will still be at the core, but it must be complemented with innovative forms of financing. We must mobilize all the resources available and unlock the trillions of resources that may be made available. • Multi-stakeholder partnerships at all levels (global, regional, national and local) will be at the core of implementation. • They have proven effective to galvanize broad-based joint action, define concrete objectives and clear timetables as well as serve as mutual accountability frameworks. They engage diverse stakeholders to deliver at multiple scales, from the bottom-up. • Partnership is about the integration of visions, values, plans, resources and knowledge sharing. And at the core of renewed partnerships is inclusiveness, transparency and mutual accountability. • The private sector also has responsibilities and all must work in partnership, within and across sectors. • Civil society’s involvement in partnerships is one of the cornerstones of accountability within every partnership, be it local, national, regional or global. Making Institutions Fit for Purpose for effective Implementation 4 • To truly deliver on a new development agenda, it is vital that we strengthen international, regional, national and local institutions through the coherence of policies and the implementation of all three pillars of sustainable development. • National commitment is essential to provide the appropriate legal frameworks and institutional and financial capacity for local governments. • Local and regional actors will be key players in public service delivery to ensure equal access to basic services such as primary education, health care, clean water supply, sanitation, solid waste and energy supply. • The UN system must also be fit-for purpose, leading by example and supporting implementation at the country level. • To eradicate poverty and build the path to a sustainable future, the international community must be equipped with equitable, longterm strategies toward economic development, social inclusion and environmental protection. Maximizing this Time for Global Action • This year offers a unique opportunity for global leaders and people to set the world on the path to a universal, transformative and integrated agenda that leaves no one behind. Never before has the world had the unique opportunity to address such a complex agenda in a single year. • The three high-level international meetings in Addis Ababa, New York and Paris in the year ahead give us the opportunity to build on 5 the MDGs and establish a paradigm shift in international development. • During these next several months, we must keep the ambition high to ensure a truly transformative agenda. The active engagement and robust support of all relevant stakeholders in the intergovernmental negotiations is essential to set the landscape for the FFD Conference in July and adoption of post-2015 agenda in September. • It is of vital importance that the special challenges in the Caribbean and the specific proposals to address them are reflected in discussions and included in the new agenda. • Therefore, we look forward to your continued engagement in these processes. • I thank you for your attention. 6