Un Foundation Board Of Directors Discusses Post-2015 Development Agenda With Government, Civil Society, And Un Leaders In Russia

This week during the Annual Meeting of the United Nations Foundation Board, hosted this year in Russia by Board Member Igor Ivanov, the Board met with a group of distinguished leaders in the country to discuss the post-2015 international development agenda.  The dialogue was one of many consultations that have taken place since the May 30, 2013 release of the report of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons, which included input and support from Russian eminent economist and chair of the Russian Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina; UN Foundation Board members Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and Graça Machel (Emeritus) of Mozambique; and 23 other global leaders.

The UN Foundation Board engaged in discussion with and elicited comments from Russian leaders including Vassily Nebenzia, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russia Federation; Aleksei Kvassov, G8 Sherpa, G20 Sous-Sherpa and Alternate Member of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel; and Evgeny Shvarts, Director of Conservation Policy of the World Wildlife Fund-Russia.  Alexandre Gorelik, Director of the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Moscow, moderated the exchange on behalf of the UN Country Team.

General themes from the meeting included the need for an ambitious and long-term, yet specific and measurable development agenda in the effort to combat global poverty.  Participants outlined upcoming opportunities to include a wide range of key issues in global development efforts over the next few decades, including issues like peace and security, good governance, sustainability, climate change, and other trans-national issues that are closely linked to economic development, global health and poverty reduction.  The conversation focused on specific ways that Russia can play a constructive role in ongoing efforts related to the post-2015 dialogue, citing the chance to provide positive leadership, share lessons learned and carefully monitor progress.  Collaboration among the private sector, civil society and government was underscored as an important driver for future success in these areas.

UN Foundation participants emphasized the important lessons Russia can bring to the post-2015 discussion, as it transitions from being a recipient and re-emerges as a donor country, and noted that Russia has an important leadership role to play on the climate change front.

“While the world must do whatever it can to continue the momentum on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which do not expire until the end of 2015, discussion of what should succeed them is becoming more and more important,” said UN Foundation Founder and Chairman, Ted Turner, also a member of the Secretary-General’s MDG Advocacy Group.  “Russia has an important contribution to make to the post-2015 agenda and the UN Foundation looks forward to working with Russian government and civil society leaders to advance human development.”

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About The United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.