02 June 2014 – “A transformative global development agenda requires breaking sway from ‘business as usual’ and enhancing solidarity among developing countries built on traditional partnership while recognizing new commonalities.” This was the conclusion reached in a meeting and workshop organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of United Nations and International Organizations (DFA-UNIO), in partnership with the United Nations Institute on Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In her opening statement, DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura del Rosario stressed that the Post-2015 Development Agenda needs to deliver on the ground, and must address globally shared realities that could build on the lessons learned from the Millennium Development Goals.

The meeting addressed the need for a Post-2015 Development Agenda that incorporates three central concerns for developing countries: migration, resilience for development, and reform of the international economic system.   In addressing these three issues, solidarity among developing countries could be further strengthened in various ways, including the building of a safe landing zone for countries emerging from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

The meeting also identified specific measures that need to be considered in order to ensure that the Post-2015 Global Development agenda will deliver real and meaningful results to realize prosperity for all.  Some recommendations from the discussions were: (1) lowering transaction costs in remittances; (2) translating expert knowledge for grass-roots stakeholders in the area of building resilience; and (3) enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries in global economic decision-making.

Resource speakers from the South Centre, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), UNCTAD, and UNITAR shared their expertise and experience with participants representing various sectors of Philippine society, such as government, private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations.

The meeting was organized as a contribution to the Philippines’ preparations for the negotiations for the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China in Geneva in 2015. A follow-up meeting is planned in early 2015. END