Milestones for a credible, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review mechanism for Agenda 2030

On January 22nd 2016, the International Movement ATD Fourth World and the Bahá’í International Community hosted their 31st monthly informal working breakfast. The month’s breakfast topic was “Milestones for a credible, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review mechanism for Agenda 2030”.A very lively dialogue followed opening remarks by Mrs. Tatjana von Steiger Weber, Minister at the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations. And Ms. Marion Barthelemy, Chief of the Intergovernmental Support Branch of the UN Division for Sustainable Development.Most of the discussion revolved around the recently published report of the Secretary General on the follow-up and review mechanism for Agenda 2030. The report can be found here. Speakers highlighted the key milestones of the building blocks for a follow-up and review mechanism. Among the key elements mentioned: 1) the Report of the Secretary-General, 2) The global indicator framework which will be launched in March, 3) Inter-governmental negotiations and, 4) Stakeholder participation.Some of the key aspects for an efficient and inclusive follow-up and review mechanism mentioned includes the importance of leaving no one behind and putting people at the center using and inclusive and bottom-up approach; the need for a multi-level approach – act on global regional and national levels and ensure an ongoing exchange among these levels; a comprehensive mechanism that needs to be built into Agenda 2030 from the onset and finally the necessity for a clear mandate to move forward rather than to fall into cycles.