Holy See: Development most focus on the human person

(Vatican Radio) The Holy See’s Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations has called on discussions about the post-2015 development agenda to focus on the human person.

“Through this new agenda, the global community must boldly address the biggest challenges before it,  such  as  extreme  poverty,  the  growing  exclusion  of  the  weak  and  vulnerable,  and  the progressive degradation of ‘our common home,’ the environment,” said Archbishop Bernadito Auza.

The Archbishop was speaking at the United Nations on Monday.

“My delegation is of the opinion that this new agenda should place the human person at its center, not only as the primary beneficiary of sustainable development, but also as its agent and its steward, working in solidarity with those in the greatest need for the common good of society and the environment,” he said.

 

The full statement by Archbishop Auza is below

 

Statement by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza

Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations

Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda

General Statement on the Zero Draft, Post-2015 Development Agenda

New York, 22 June 2015

 

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

My delegation would like to thank you for your hard work and tireless efforts in convening  open and inclusive thematic discussions on the post-2015 development agenda, which have  led us to this zero draft on the post-2015 development agenda.

While my delegation acknowledges, as others do, that we still have a momentous task ahead of us, it is  confident  that  we  shall  come  up  with  a  new  development  agenda  that  will ambitiously seek to achieve sustainable development and a dignified life for all. Through this new agenda, the global community must boldly address the biggest challenges before it,  such  as  extreme  poverty,  the  growing  exclusion  of  the  weak  and  vulnerable,  and  the progressive degradation of “our common home,” the environment.

My delegation is of the opinion that this new agenda should place the human person at its center, not only as the primary beneficiary of sustainable development, but also as its agent and its steward, working in solidarity with those in the greatest need for the common good of society and the environment.

My  delegation  notes  that  the  zero  draft  is  based  on  previous  declarations  and  outcome documents of its nature, and it appears to be well arranged and inclusive of the viewpoints from all perspectives and stakeholders. Regarding  the  political  declaration,  my  delegation  sees  it  as  a  good  basis  for  further discussions. We believe that the declaration must be idealistic and compelling, designed to inspire and not to frustrate, to unite and not to divide  by  avoiding  ambiguous terms and concepts.

Having said that, my delegation thinks that the declaration, as it appears in the zero draft, is somewhat long, and it would benefit from a crisper pace focused on its inspirational intent. By using brief inspirational or lead sentences, akin to the methods of social media,  the  political  declaration  should  prepare  us  for  reflection  and  usher  in  our interest in the three chapters. My delegation is of the opinion that there is no substantial additional value to the Outcome document in  repeating  in detail  in the political declaration those elements that are already stated in their rightful places in the three chapters of the zero draft.

We support the verbatim inclusion of the sustainable development goals and targets as in the Report of the OWG. We would oppose the imposition of targets and indicators on countries and peoples whose laws and values are contrary to them.  With this in mind, we would need to address how reservations of delegations contained within the Report of the OWG will be reflected in the Outcome document.

We would support a strong and focused means of implementation section, recognizing that this section is foundational for the fulfillment of the new agenda. We would strongly encourage the use and coordination of all sources of financing to achieve the SDGs and development in general.

Distinguished co-facilitators,

It  is  my  delegation’s  intention  to  continue  to  contribute  constructively  throughout  the upcoming sessions to help further strengthen the document, and we share your desire for an Outcome document that is agreeable to all.

Thank you.