Implementation , accountability and building consensus

The illustrative goals and targets we have set out are bold, yet practical. Like the MDGs, they would not be legally binding, but must be monitored closely. The indicators that track them should be broken down in many different ways to ensure no one is left behind. We recommend that any new goals should be accompanied by an independent and rigorous monitoring system, with regular opportunities to discuss results at a high political level. We also call for a data revolution for sustainable development, with a new international initiative to improve the quality of statistics and information available to people and governments. We should actively take advantage of new technology, crowd sourcing, and improved connectivity to empower people with information on the progress towards the targets. We see an opportunity in the post-2015 agenda to include new players in partnerships at all levels, to introduce new ways of working across an agenda that goes beyond aid, and to introduce a new spirit of multilateralism and international cooperation. Implementing an agenda of this breadth and scope, holding people accountable for progress and keeping the agenda high on the political radar of world leaders cannot be taken for granted. But this time, unlike with the MDGs, we do not have to start from scratch. There are established processes to move from an agreement in New York to a programme in a remote village, agencies that are collaborating with statistical offices around the world, a willingness of global leaders to pay more attention to sustainable development, and local initiatives that can be scaled up.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development