Towards a transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda: Vision and key challenges

The Member States of the United Nations are engaged in intensive preparations to elaborate a post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the overarching goal of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. The design of the new architecture presents a historic opportunity to engage all stakeholders in a broad dialogue exploring how the international community can best respond to the challenges of the emerging post-2015 development framework.

IIASA research is an important input to the post-2015 development agenda, and IIASA leaders are playing a key role providing scientific input to the SDG process. IIASA Director General and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat is a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) leadership council, a worldwide network of leading researchers whose aim is to provide scientifically vetted solutions to sustainable development issues, supporting the development of the SDGs. In March IIASA and the SDSN will launch the World 2050 project to further pursue this aim. Through the Alpbach-Laxenburg Group, launched by IIASA and European Forum Alpbach in 2013, IIASA also plays a key role in bringing together the top global experts to reflect on and formulate positive narratives based on IIASA research.

This high-level panel will discuss the post-2015 vision, as encapsulated in the outcome document of the Open Working Group on SDGs, and the main challenges ahead. It will also reflect on effective policy instruments and new approaches to policymaking, which will enable us to advance global sustainability objectives, including inclusive and sustainable industrialization. In addition, the side event will present the prototype Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), prepared by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), which is intended to create a solid science-policy interface to support policymaking and the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.

High-level keynote speakers:
Mr. LI Yong, Director General, UNIDO
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Special Advisor of the Secretary General on Post-2015
Mr. Richard A. Roehrl, Director, Policy and Analysis Branch, UNDESA

High-level panel discussants:
H.E. Ms. Irene Giner-Reichl, Ambassador of Austria to China (moderator)
Mr. Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, Director-General, OFID
Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for SE4All
Mr. Pavel Kabat, Director-General, IIASA
Mr. Wolfram Tertschnig, Director, Ministry of Agricult., Forestry, Water and Env., Austria

Last edited: 21 November 2014