10 April 2014
UN General Assembly and ECOSOC start joint talks on multi-stakeholder development partnerships
On 9 April, the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) launched joint talks to mobilise new and existing multi-stakeholder development partnerships. ECOSOC President Martin Sajdik stated in the first session of the two-day event that ‘we must mobilize our joint efforts to utilize the full potential of a partnership approach. These partnerships should be formed at all levels, from grassroots to national, regional and global.’
Sajdik explained that the meeting, which is mainly centered on panel discussions, will examine how multi-stakeholder partnerships can support the post-2015 development agenda that will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in order to answer to sustainable development and complement interstate efforts. A strengthened global partnership for development should come into existence that, according to General Assembly President John Ashe, should be grounded on mutual respect and trust, the fulfillment of earlier agreed commitments and an enhanced framework for accountability.