Activities of the African Union High Level Committee on the Post 2015 Development Agenda
2014 – 2015
Since the launching of the CAP in Monrovia, Liberia in May, 2014 the AU-HLC has carried out several activities surrounding the Post-2015 development agenda.
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26-27 January 2016 H.E Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chair of the African Union High Level Committee on Post-2015 launched Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda in Liberia at the Monrovia City Hall, in collaboration with the UN system in Liberia and the UN Sustainable Development Solution Network (UNSDSN). |
In attendance was members of the Government, Judiciary, House of Representatives, Diplomatic Corps, Academia, Civil Society, Media, Private Sector, Political Parties, and UN Country teams. The Objective of the two-day event was to endorse the SDGs at all levels in Liberia, bring awareness and mobilize the support from leaders, youth and other key stakeholders in the domestication and implementation of the new global development agenda. |
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28 September 2015 H.E President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf gave remarks at a high level meeting on “The Path Towards Universal Health Coverage: The Promotion of Equitable Global Health and Human Security in the Post-2015 Development Era” in New York. |
Madam President stated that the prioritization of health and human security remain critical to the achievement of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event, which was held on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly, was co-sponsored by Japan, France, Senegal, Thailand, the World Health Organization and the Global Fund and speaks to Goal 3 of the SDGs. |
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27 September 2015 H.E President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attended the Global Leader’s Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: A Commitment to Action on September 27th, 2015 in New York. UN Women and the People’s Republic of China co-hosted this event in conjunction with the UN Summit on the Post-2015 development framework and as part of the 20th Anniversary commemoration of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. |
H.E President Sirleafcommitted her administration, before the end of her tenure, to some aspects of Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals on Gender Equality and Women and Girls Empowerment which include; ensuring that the domestic violence bill is passed into law; banning female genital mutilation (FGM) and ensuring women participation in politics. |
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25 September 2015 The Swedish Government organized an informal meeting hosted by the Prime Minister Stefan Lofven with the heads of State and Government of Liberia, Colombia, South Africa, Brazil, Tanzania, Germany and Tunisia. |
The objective of this high level meeting was for leaders to sign a non-binding commitment to ensure and encourage the implementation of the SDGs. |
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25 September 2015 H.E President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf addressed world leaders at the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly where they gathered to adopt the SDGs as the new global agenda to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of 2015. |
Madam President explained that the new global development agenda is the result of the most consultative process in history; noting that the negotiations culminated in the consensus document, “Transforming our World, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” H.E stressed that the successful implementation of the 2030 Development Agenda will depend largely on the concrete measures taken at the sub-national, national, regional and global levels. |
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24 September 2015 The Governments of Australia, Indonesia, Liberia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Tunisia and the United States with Gestion Social y Cooperacion, BRAC, Safeworld, Open Society Foundations, UNDP and the World Bank hosted a gala reception on the eve of the UN Summit in New York to Adopt the 2030 Agenda entitled “Delivering on the Promise of Goal 16”a High Level side event to advance Goal 16 implementation. |
The representatives of Liberia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Indonesia, India, South Africa and the United States participated in a panel discussion on what it will take to implement Goal 16 (Peace and Justice) domestically and globally. |
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23 September 2015 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attended the 2015 International Conference on Sustainable Development organized by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (a global initiative for the United Nations), Global Association (focused on development practice programs) and Columbia University in New York. |
The event was a part of the Kapuscinski Development Lecture Series of the University and was moderated by international journalist, writer and moderator, Femi Oke. President Sirleaf implored participants to become part of a global partnership and strive to support a more sustainable, just and inclusive world. |
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11-12 September 2015 The 8th Annual Retreat of Permanent Representatives of the African Group at the United Nations took place under the theme, “FFD3 & SDGs: Implications for Africa’s Agenda 2063” in Rye Brook, New York. |
The outgoing President of the 69th Session, UN General Assembly, H.E Sam K. Kutesa was honored. Additionally, the African Ambassadors discussed stocktaking of the post-2015 development agenda and the third financing for development negotiations, leveraging global partnerships for implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and SDGs at the national and regional levels, preparation for 70th Session UNGA: Strategies for effective action, coordination and cohesion and the way forward. |
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9 September 2015 The Open Society Foundations organized a meeting hosted by Safeworld, and the governments of the Republic of Liberia, the Philippines and the United States in New York to discuss the measures that it will take to successfully implement the range of legal empowerment, access to justice, rule of law, violence reduction, peace building, anticorruption, accountability, participation, transparency, and human rights targets in Goal 16. |
The discussants mapped out elements that are essential and most critical to making progress in the implementation phase; which actors are best to drive the process and additional efforts or initiatives that could make the greatest difference. |
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2 September 2015 The National Secretariat of the African Union-High Level Committee on Post-2015 (AU_HLC) in collaboration with the Liberian Permanent Mission to the United Nations organized a special Cabinet briefing on “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into Liberia’s National Agenda” on September 2, 2015 in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
The objective of the special Cabinet briefing was to present the outcome document on the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Addis Ababa Document on Financing for Development to the Cabinet members and discuss implementation and the way forward. |
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13-16 July 2015 The Third International Conference on Financing for Development gathered high-level political representatives, including Heads of State and Government, and Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, as well as all relevant institutional stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and business sector entities. |
The conference resulted in an inter-governmentally negotiated and agreed outcome, which should constitute an important contribution to and support the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. |
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13 June 2015 The meeting of the African Union High Level Committee (HLC) on the Post 2015 Development Agenda took place on June 13, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 25th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit. |
The meeting reviewed and adopted the report of the HLC on the ongoing Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations and the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) in New York. The Report of the HLC was presented by the President of Liberia H. E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to the 25th African Union (AU) Assembly on June 15, 2015. |
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7-9 June 2015 H.E President Sirleaf attended the 41st Summit meeting of the heads of state and government of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Schloss Elmau, Germany |
Discussions surrounded the global economy, foreign, security and development policy, the UN conferences to be held in 2015 as well as the post-2015 agenda. |
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7 June 2015 The meeting of the Sherpas of the African Union-High Level Committee took place in Pretoria, South Africa. |
The Sherpas discussed various documents, prepared for the International Conference on Financing for development and they endorsed the report of the HLC and Draft Decision. |
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2 June 2015 Meeting of the Ambassadors of HLC-New York and other members of the African Group to discuss the draft report of the HLC-New York. |
The meeting discussed and endorsed the report of the HLC-New York for submission to the Sherpas of the HLC in South Africa at the 25th Summit of the African Union. |
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7 May 2015 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of International Cooperation & Economic Integration) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the AU-HLC held a thematic debate on the Post-2015 Agenda on May, 7th 2015. Various line ministries and agencies were in attendance in order to establish Liberia’s position on the Post-2015 agenda. |
The attendees endorsed that the department of International Corporation & Economic Integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from the AU-HLC Secretariat will lead the process and constitute a mini-national secretariat. |
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6 March 2015 |
President Sirleaf briefed about African Group efforts and fully aware of the major political issues underpinning the ongoing Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations. |
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26 February 2015 Meeting of the Permanent Representatives (PRs) of the African Group-NY to discuss issues relating to the Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations, including updates from the Chair of the HLC-NY, Ambassador Marjon Kamara, and Coordinator of the African Group 2nd Committee Experts, among others. |
Proposal on the formation of the Bureau of African of Negotiators discussed; conclusion pending. |
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17-20 February 2015 HLC-New York Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, Dr. Abdoulaye Dukule-Sherpa of the Chair of the HLC, and Ambassador Marjon Kamara attended the Declaration session of the Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations. |
African Group statement with elements of the CAP presented at the Post 2015 Stocktaking session. |
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18 February 2015 Meeting of the Permanent Representatives of HLC-New York and Dr. Abdoulaye Dukule, Sherpa of the HLC Chair, to share thoughts on ways to strengthen the efforts of the African Group of Negotiators in the ongoing Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations. |
New strategy for the African Group of Negotiators proposed. |
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17 February 2015 HLC-New York Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, attended round-table discussion titled “Modernization of Official Development Assistance (ODA)” organized by the United Nations Foundations. |
Learned key elements related to modeling ODA to achieve the Post 2015 Agenda. |
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13 February 2015 Meeting of the Permanent Representatives of the HLC-New York to discuss the work of the African Group vis-à-vis the Post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations. |
Proposals on the African Group of Negotiators discussed and role of the HLC –New York in the negotiations identified. |
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10 February 2015 African Group 2nd Committee Experts held a tete-a-tete meeting with Dr. Abdoulaye Dukule, Sherpa of the Chair of the HLC, to apprise himself of the issues and latest development in the ongoing Post 2015 Intergovernmental Negotiations. |
Activities of the African Group of Experts discussed vis-à-vis HLC expectations for the Post 2015 negotiations. |
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9 February 2015 HLC-New York, Vita Ishmael Tue, Policy Specialist attended two-day thematic debate “Means of Implementation for a transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda” |
Learned key issues related to Means of Implementation for the Post-2015 Agenda. |
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24-25 January 2015 Meeting of the Sherpas of the African Union High Level Committee on the Post 2015 Development Agenda in Addis Ababa to discuss major relating to Africa’s engagement in the Post 2015 negotiations and proposed African Group of Negotiators Terms of Reference. |
Terms of Reference agreed and adopted at the January 2015 AU Summit. |
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19-21 January 2015 Ambassador Marjon Kamara and HLC-New York Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, attended the Stocktaking Session of the Post-2015 Intergovernmental Negotiations at the United Nations Headquarters. |
African Group statement with elements of the CAP presented at the Post 2015 Stocktaking session. |
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16 January 2015 One-day retreat organized by the HLC-New York and African Group for Permanent Representatives and Experts to discuss key issues related to the Post 2015 Intergovernmental Negotiations and the proposed Terms of reference of the African Group-New York. |
Draft proposal on the African Group of Negotiators and African Group statement for the Stocktaking session finalized. |
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9 January 2015 Meeting of the HLC-New York Experts Committee to brainstorm and provide tangible recommendations on key reports and documents relating to the Post-2015 Development Agenda. |
Submitted report of recommendations on the Synthesis Report and SDGs to HLC-New York. |
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14 December 2014 HLC-New York, Vita Ishmael Tue, Policy Specialist attended two-day retreat on Financing and Means of Implementation for Post-2015 Development Agenda organized by the United Nations Foundation. |
Learned various issues on the financing mechanism for the Post 2015 Agenda. |
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12 December 2014 Ambassador Kamara, Chair of the HLC-New York, convened meeting of the Group to review and discuss the recommendations from the HLC-NY Experts and other matters. |
Advocacy and Strategy accepted by the HLC-New York. |
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10, 16, 17, 19, 20 December 2014 HLC-New York Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, attended the informal consultations of the plenary on the Post 2015 Development Agenda geared towards finalizing modalities for the Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations. |
UN General Assembly Resolution A/69/L.46 was agreed upon by Member States. |
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9-12 December 2014 HLC-New York Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, along with the Chair of the HLC-NY attended the substantive informal session for 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development organization held at the United Nations Headquarters. |
Key inputs gathered to strengthen Africa’s position at the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development. |
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HLC-NY Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, and Ambassador Marjon V. Kamara, Chair of the HLC-NY, attended the formal presentation of the United Nations Secretary-General Synthesis Report on the Post 2015 Development Agenda at the United Nations Headquarters. |
Ambassador Kamara presented the HLC and Liberia’s views in response to the UN Secretary-General Synthesis Report. |
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4 December 2014 HLC-NY Policy Specialist, Vita Ishmael Tue, and Ambassador Marjon V. Kamara, Chair of the HLC-NY, attended the formal presentation of the United Nations Secretary-General Synthesis Report on the Post 2015 Development Agenda at the United Nations Headquarters. |
Ambassador Kamara presented the HLC and Liberia’s views in response to the UN Secretary-General Synthesis Report. |
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4 December2014 Meeting of the HLC-NY Experts Committee to strategize on elements to accelerate the work of the Permanent Representatives of the HLC-New York relative to the Post 2015 intergovernmental negotiations. |
Advocacy and outreach strategies presented to Permanent Representatives of HLC-New York. |
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4 November 2014 Meeting of the HLC-NY Experts Committee to discuss and draw up strategies that will enhance the work of the PRs of the HLC-NY in the Post 2015 negotiation process. |
Experts catalyzed efforts and built synergies to work jointly on issues relating to the Post 2015 Agenda and CAP. |
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18-24 September 2014 More recently, from September 18-24th the members of the AU-HLC along with H.E Minister Augustine Ngafuan, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the UN, Amb. Marjon Kamara and Ambassador Vivienne Wreh attended several meetings during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. The AU-HLC held a Sherpas meeting and an advocacy meeting with the rest of the world to forge alliances. The AU-HLC also met with the African Interfaith Initiative and the US Government to discuss financing and partnerships. |
Galvanized the support and forged alliances with key players in the Post-2015 development process |
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21-23 August 2014 From August 21st-23rd the AU-HLC held an accountability forum in Addis to agree on the measures that will be used to assess commitments, monitor development as well as support policy and decision making. |
Crafted an accountability framework |
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4-6 August 2014 US President Barack Obama met with African leaders during the US-Africa Summit from August 4-6th 2014 in Washington, DC, USA with the CAP as the central point of discussions. This was an opportunity for African leaders to establish partnerships with other regions of the world to ensure that Africa’s priorities are infused into the next global development agenda that will succeed the MDGs in 2015. |
Disseminated the CAP and obtained support from the Government of the United States concerning Africa’s key priorities |
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14-18 July 2014 Dr. Anthony Maruping, Commissioner for Economic Affairs at the African Union Commission and Dr. Abdoulaye Dukule, Coordinator of the AU-HLC Secretariat in the Office of the President travelled to Washington, DC from July 14-18th to brief African Ambassadors and US development agencies and institutions on the work that has led up to creation of the CAP and in preparation for negotiations at the UN level. |
Advocated for the CAP which is in align with the AU-HLC’s mandate to ensure that the pillars are globally accepted |
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23-27 June 2014 From June 23-27, President Sirleaf travelled to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for the African Union Summit and the AU-HLC meeting to discuss their advocacy strategies, and the goals, indicators and targets for the CAP. Following Malabo, a delegation of the HLC attended the African Faith-Leaders Conference on Post-2015 in Kampala, Uganda where President Sirleaf addressed participants through video message. |
The Assembly adopted the advocacy strategies , goals, indicators and targets of the CAP as presented by the members of the AU-HLC technical committee. |
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9-12 June 2014 From the 9-12th, Dr. Abdoulaye Dukulé, Coordinator of the AU-HLC Secretariat attended the Economic Conference of the Americas in Montreal, Canada where he presented the CAP. |
Dr. Dukule ensured that the CAP was clearly articulated and galvanized the support of the global community. |
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3 June 2014 On June 3rd, her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission organized a launch of the CAP in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in a ceremony attended by all Sherpas of the HLC, the diplomatic corps (both African and international) and the civil society organizations. |
The CAP was launched at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. |
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26-27 May 2014 The AU-HLC organized a two-day briefing from May 26-27, in Monrovia on the CAP, first with Government officials and the diplomatic corps and a second day where the private sector, academia, the media and Civil Society Organizations took part in a day-long forum of consultations. |
The Liberian people became familiar with the Common African Position and the President’s role in the Post-2015 development process. |