The post-2015 framework will shape development efforts for many years. The diverse region of Europe and Central Asia encapsulates many of the global challenges. It is therefore crucial that this region makes a thoughtful contribution to the process of formulating the post-2015 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Taking forward the decisions of the UN General Assembly’s Special Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) held in New York on 25 September 2013, the Regional Consultation provided a timely opportunity to identify regional priorities for the post-2015 UN development agenda and discuss how these priorities can become part of a coherent global framework. The event also aimed to review regional experiences and lessons learned from the MDGs, spearhead ways to deepen regional cooperation, and review proposals for measurement of sustainable development in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Regional Consultation, as multi-stakeholder event, brought together over 300 representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia and media. The meeting featured a series of thematic panel discussions and concluded with an open forum that identified regional priorities for the post-2015 agenda and formulated the regional contributions to the global debate.

In particular, UNESCO contributed to the organization of the panel on “Quality Education and Decent jobs”, which was jointly coordinated with ILO and UNICEF. Panelists in this discussion included representatives from the Albanian and Turkish Governments, trade unions, early childhood education experts and youth and civil society representatives. During this panel the importance of a quality education, adapting curricula to the real needs of the job market and teaching life skills to youth were discussed. Investing in lifelong learning was also encouraged, with a particular emphasis on providing continuing education for teachers.

The Regional Consultation was preceded by a civil society consultation in which over 120 representatives participated and voiced together their concerns for the future of this region and which were shared at the beginning of the Regional Consultation to help kick things off. This was one of the largest participation of civil society representatives in any of the regional consultation meetings that the UN has been organizing around the globe during the past year on the Post-2015 Agenda.

The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Development of Turkey (host), in cooperation with the UN Development Group for Europe and Central Asia and the Regional Coordination Mechanism, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Link: http://www.worldwewant2015.org/EuropeCentralAsia

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The report “Building more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous societies in Europe and Central Asia – A common United Nations vision for the post-2015 development agenda” was published in September 2013. It was prepared within the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Europe and Central Asia and the United Nations Development Group for Europe and Central Asia. Prepared by a team of over a dozen UN entities active in Europe and Central Asia, and coordinated by UNECE and UNDP, it captures the rich experiences of a region that comprises high-, middle- and low-income countries and offers insights for the global debate.

The report was created as a series of 14 short thematic pieces, accompanied by an advocacy paper that lays out the overall vision. The short issue briefs provide policy-makers and negotiators of the future development agenda with a concise overview of the key points for each issue. These include: The Europe and Central Asia region - Characteristics, MDG achievement and lessons for the global debate; Population dynamics; Migration in Europe and Central Asia; Gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment in Europe and Central Asia; Decent jobs for all; Social protection for all; Quality health and well-being for all; Ensuring quality education for all; Changing production patterns; Changing consumption patterns; Sustainable agriculture and rural development; Managing the Earth's ecosystems; Governance for sustainable development; and, The partnership dimension of the post-2015 agenda.

Download the report from the right menu.