The weeklong UN High Level Panel meeting in Monrovia ended with a stern call for sustainable growth with equity. In a communiqué issued at the close of the conference, delegates resolved that to foster long-term, sustainable growth and reduce volatility, the global community must promote good governance, invest in stable and accountable institutions, fight corruption, ensure the rule of law, and build resilience to shock in all countries.
“We recognize the indispensability of economic and social justice, and individual choice opportunity for all. This includes the empowerment of women and girls; investments in young people’s development and expanding social protection schemes; and ensuring universal learning and access to health care—including sexual and reproductive health,” they noted.
Regarding creating wealth through sustainable and transparent management of natural resources, the HLP meeting further resolved that it is imperative to change the current pattern of natural resources (both renewable and non-renewable) exploitation, in order to diversify our economic base and use natural resources sustainably. This must benefit local populations, whilst promoting sustainable development.
On partnerships, the conference delegates resolved that economic transformation will require partnerships with many actors, unified behind a common agenda. “It must encourage national and local governments to work with the private sector and civil society to align their efforts behind sustainable development. Interactions between countries and new partnerships through trade, foreign direct investment and cooperation also have the potential to eradicate poverty and bring about prosperity for all. We look forward to discussing these important issues, including the means of implementation, at the fourth meeting of the High Level Panel in Bali, Indonesia.”
At the Monrovia meeting, the 27-member High Level Panel agreed that it should make every effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, while also framing a single and cohesive post 2015 development agenda that integrates economic, social inclusion and environmental protection.
Economic growth alone, the Panel said, is not sufficient to ensure social justice, equity and sustained prosperity for all people. “The global community must pursue economic and social transformation leading to sustained and inclusive economic growth at the local, national and global levels. The protection and empowerment of the people is crucial. This will require peace building and stronger domestic institutions—including effective, accountable and transparent governments and peaceful, just and equitable societies that protect and promote human rights and eliminate all forms of violence,” the Panel noted.
“This transformation agenda,” it continued, “should create jobs, develop infrastructure, raised productivity, improve competitiveness and promote sustainable production and consumption. It should tap into the potential presented by a larger, more educated and better skilled workforce, new technologies and innovation, and the expansion of national, regional and global markets. We should explore policy options for green growth as one of the important tools available to promote sustainable development. Actions aimed at strengthening international cooperation, particularly in the areas of finance, trade and technology transfers, are also required to achieve the objectives of this transformational agenda.”
Lasts week’s meeting in Monrovia, organizers say, is the midway point of a long consultative process. “We will continue our consultations both within and beyond the Panel, until we meet again in Bali, Indonesia, 25-27 March 2013. We thank the Government and people of Liberia for their warmth and hospitality,” they disclosed.
The 27-member High-Level Panel was set up and tasked by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to develop a framework for a post-2015 development agenda. The Monrovia meeting was the Panel’s third meeting, which kicked off from January 30 through February 1, 2013.
During the Monrovia meeting, Panel members participated in outreach-sessions and discussed the national building blocks required for sustained prosperity. They committed themselves to an open, inclusive and transparent process in the development of this agenda. They consulted with a variety of stakeholders globally, including Parliamentarians, people with disabilities, youth, children, women, the elderly, farmers, trade unions, the business community and academics.
“All members of the Panel share a passion for finding the right framework for sustainable development to combat poverty and enable people to fulfill their potential. This is- first and last-about people; the lives they are able to lead, the education they can benefit from, the families they can raise, the health they can enjoy and the prospects they can look forward to as they live their lives and look to the future,” the Panel members noted in a communiqué.
“Our vision and our responsibility is to end extreme poverty in all its forms in the context of sustainable development and to have in place the building blocks of sustained prosperity for all. We seek to make gains in poverty eradication irreversible. This is a global, people-centered and planet-sensitive agenda to address the universal challenges of the 21st century: promoting sustainable development, supporting job-creating growth, protecting the environment and providing peace, security, justice, freedom and equity at all levels,” they added.
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