The Alliance continues to see progress in its engagement with the post-2015 development agenda negotiations underway at the United Nations, edging closer to its goal of co-operatives being recognised as well-suited to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mongolia: Co-operatives ‘well-suited to deliver the post-2015 agenda’
On 24 April 2015, during an intergovernmental discussion on the means of implementation and partnerships to deliver the post-2015 agenda, the Permanent Representative of Mongolia specifically called for ‘proper integration or specific mention of co-operatives in relevant places’, because co-operative enterprises are ‘a powerful economic and social force’ and a ‘well-suited model to deliver the post-2015 agenda’.
The full intervention of Mongolia to the United Nations can be seen here (from the 44:15 mark).
Financing for Development draft affirms support for co-operatives
Another achievement of the movement can be seen in the revised zero draft of the Addis Ababa Accord of the Third International Conference for Financing for Development (released on 6 May), which mentions co-operatives several times.
In the revised draft, Member States commit to ‘substantially increase public investment, with a particular focus on…agricultural co-operatives’ to fight hunger, pledge their support to co-operative banks and agree to strengthen international cooperation to support agriculture (with a particular focus on agricultural co-operatives).
Alliance speaks before UN on inclusive post-2015 framework
Maintaining this momentum, Rodrigo Gouveia, Director of Policy for the Alliance, was selected to speak before the United Nations on 20 May during an interactive dialogue on follow-up and review of the post-2015 development agenda.
In his statement, Gouveia urged that Member States ensure the participation of all stakeholders in the follow-up and review process. He advocated for an inclusive, transparent and participatory framework and for reliable and disaggregated evidence and data that include all sectors of the economy.
Gouveia additionally proposed that the follow-up and review process focus on the collection of data on partnerships with co-operatives and social and solidarity organizations, as a means of implementation.
Watch his full statement here (from the 2:06:10 mark).
The next intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda will occur on 22-25 June.
Photo: Rodrigo Gouveia speaking before the UN on 20 May.
