The 2030 Agenda is meant to stipulate and direct global efforts towards sustainable development. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires action by a multitude of actors in various policy fields and sectors to achieve the global goals under one common “Global Partnership for Sustainable Development”. SDG17 on the “Means of Implementation” is a key aspect of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda which requires a move from “billions to trillions”.

While the majority of the SDGs measure the achievement of goals, SDG17 is meant to provide accountability that stakeholders are providing certain “Means of Implementation”, i.e. inputs, which take the form of domestic resources, ODA, debt relief, access to technology, capacity-building including through South-South cooperation, and a trade system favorable to developing countries.

The broad conceptualization of SDG17 and the “Means of Implementation” has been welcomed by many stakeholders as a more comprehensive approach than official development assistance (ODA). At the same time, SDG17 does not give clear guidance as to the roles, responsibilities and respective contributions of various development cooperation actors in support of the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, the broadening of the debate has at times been seen as a move of traditional donors to divert attention from past commitments, in particular the 0.7 per cent / GNI aid target.

Role of the GPEDC

Against this background, the panel addressed aims to address the question whether there is a need for a global platform for measurement and action on SDG17 under a revitalized “Global Partnership for Sustainable Development”. The “Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC)”, which was founded at the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea (2011), has been positioning itself as a key platform in this regard. In response to the 2030 Agenda’s adoption, the GPEDC has recently revised its mandate to state: “The Global Partnership shall contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development […] by promoting effective development co-operation geared towards ending all forms of poverty and reducing inequality, advancing sustainable development and ensuring that no-one is left behind.” However, while GPEDC is a self-proclaimed “multi-stakeholder forum” encompassing parliamentarians, private sector, local governments, civil society, foundations and multilateral organizations, it has failed so far to convince a number of important emerging economies (Brazil, China, India, South Africa) and stakeholders (in particular the private sector) to take an active stake in the partnership.

Panelists

• Li Xiaoyun, Professor, College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University, China, Chairperson of NeST
• Robin Toli, Chief Director, Division for International Development Cooperation (IDC), National Treasury of South Africa (tbc)
• Azani Tschabo, Division for ‘Effectiveness, transparency and quality standards’, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany
• Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive, ‘South African Institute of International Affairs’ (SAIIA), South Africa (tbc)
• Tang Lixia, Associate Professor, Department of Development Studies, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
• Paulo Esteves, Director-General BRICS Policy Center, Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Gerardo Bracho, Senior Expert ‘Käte Hamburger Kolleg / Centre for Global Cooperation Research’, Duisburg, Germany

Chair / Moderator

• Stephan Klingebiel, Head of Department of Bilateral and Multilateral Development Cooperation, German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Germany