High-level debate on post-2015 development agenda kicks off at UN headquarters

A high-level thematic debate on UN's post-2015 development agenda kicked off here on Monday, aiming to address key issues of mobilizing adequate means of implementation for the agenda, including financial and non- financial resources.

Addressing the opening of the debate on Means of Implementation for A Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda, Sam Kutesa, president of the UN 69th General Assembly, noted that the new agenda, which includes the proposed 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), is expected to require more resources than the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

"Emerging estimates indicate, for instance, that additional financing needed to eradicate extreme poverty will range from 135 billion U.S. dollars to 195 billion dollars every two years," he illustrated. "Investments required in critical infrastructure including transport, energy, water and sanitation are estimated to cost between 5 to 7 trillion dollars annually."

Therefore, as UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson put it in the debate, achieving the SDGs will rely on a coherent and holistic package of financial and non-financial means of implementation.

"They include financing from all resources -- public, private, domestic and international," Eliasson said. "International trade and debt sustainability and relief can play an important role."

"So, too, can technology, innovation and capacity building," he added.

The debate will last two days till Feb. 10.

The UN is going to adopt the post-2015 development agenda to replace the MDGs, which were set 15 years ago and will expire this year. Endite