7 May 2014
UN officials stress need for comprehensive accountability framework to ensure development progress beyond 2015
According to UNGA President John Ashe, “[t]he move to a universal development agenda will require an accountability mechanism that is comprehensive and flexible, yet robust, holding different actors to account according to their differing responsibilities.” He said “[t]he time to begin this work is now (…) a global monitoring and accountability framework will need to be an integral part of our ongoing discussions on the design of a post-2015 development agenda and its implementation.”
He noted that “[m]aking true progress is always at risk without robust accountability. Governments everywhere need to be responsive to their Parliaments, their constituencies, their voters, and to their countries’ civil society at large. At the national level, all stakeholders should play a role in ensuring effective oversight for aligning international commitments to national development objectives”, adding that these efforts must be anchored at the global level.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that “accountability is essential to assess progress and achieve results. This should happen at the national, regional and global levels. All actors, including governments, the UN system, civil society and the private sector, should be accountable for honouring their commitments. We need an inclusive, robust yet flexible accountability framework.”
He also noted that “to succeed, the accountability system must be universal. Any framework for accountability must apply to all, taking into account their different capacities and responsibilities. Accountability mechanisms and platforms should be nimble and decentralized.” The Secretary-General added that the UN alone cannot be the only platform for a system of accountability, and that it must be integrated with regional and national action by governments and their constituencies.
Source: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon | Latest Statements | Secretary-General's remarks at the Interactive Dialogue of the President of the General Assembly on Elements for an Accountability Framework for the Post-2015 Development Agenda | New York, 1 May 2014
Source: Remarks by H.E. Mr. John W. Ashe, President of the 68th Session of the United Nations, General Assembly | Interactive Dialogue of the President of the General Assembly | "Elements for an Accountability Framework for the Post-2015 Development Agenda" | Opening Session | New York, 1 May 2014