A/RES/66/288
246. We recognize that the development of goals could also be useful for pursuing
focused and coherent action on sustainable development. We further recognize the
importance and utility of a set of sustainable development goals, based on Agenda 21
and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which fully respect all the Rio
Principles, taking into account different national circumstances, capacities and
priorities, are consistent with international law, build upon commitments already made
and contribute to the full implementation of the outcomes of all major summits in the
economic, social and environmental fields, including the present outcome document.
The goals should address and incorporate in a balanced way all three dimensions of
sustainable development and their interlinkages. They should be coherent with and
integrated into the United Nations development agenda beyond 2015, thus
contributing to the achievement of sustainable development and serving as a driver for
implementation and mainstreaming of sustainable development in the United Nations
system as a whole. The development of these goals should not divert focus or effort
from the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
247. We also underscore that sustainable development goals should be actionoriented, concise and easy to communicate, limited in number, aspirational, global
in nature and universally applicable to all countries, while taking into account
different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting
national policies and priorities. We also recognize that the goals should address and
be focused on priority areas for the achievement of sustainable development, being
guided by the present outcome document. Governments should drive
implementation with the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders, as
appropriate.
248. We resolve to establish an inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process
on sustainable development goals that is open to all stakeholders, with a view to
developing global sustainable development goals to be agreed by the General
Assembly. An open working group shall be constituted no later than at the opening
of the sixty-seventh session of the Assembly and shall comprise thirty
representatives, nominated by Member States from the five United Nations regional
groups, with the aim of achieving fair, equitable and balanced geographical
representation. At the outset, this open working group will decide on its methods of
work, including developing modalities to ensure the full involvement of relevant
stakeholders and expertise from civil society, the scientific community and the
United Nations system in its work, in order to provide a diversity of perspectives
and experience. It will submit a report, to the Assembly at its sixty-eighth session,
containing a proposal for sustainable development goals for consideration and
appropriate action.
249. The process needs to be coordinated and coherent with the processes to
consider the post-2015 development agenda. The initial input to the work of the
working group will be provided by the Secretary-General, in consultation with
national Governments. In order to provide technical support to the process and to
the work of the working group, we request the Secretary-General to ensure all
necessary input and support to this work from the United Nations system, including
by establishing an inter-agency technical support team and expert panels, as needed,
drawing on all relevant expert advice. Reports on the progress of work will be made
regularly to the General Assembly.
250. We recognize that progress towards the achievement of the goals needs to be
assessed and accompanied by targets and indicators, while taking into account
different national circumstances, capacities and levels of development.
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