Introductory Seminar with business on the SDGs and NDP P. Moleke Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 9 June 2016

Focus of presentation O What is the government view on the SDGs, given that we also have the NDP O Are there any commonalities or gaps when we compare the SDGs to the NDP and what do we view as priority for SA? O How can we as a country fast-track implementation of the SDGs in alignment with the NDP?

From the MDGs to the SDGs: (AND) Agenda 2063 O South Africa was at the center of the transition and played a key role in the context of a number of global and continental processes that unfolded in the course of 2015 and led to the development of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 SDGs, and Agenda 2063 O We must not sideline Agenda 2063 as it is also important O Through the leadership of Statistics South Africa, South Africa also was chair of the Africa Symposium on Statistical Development (Core team) which developed A common input to the global set of indicators for monitoring the SDGs, data sources, level of disaggregation, etc. O Under the chairpersonship of South Africa, the African Union (AU), at its May 2013 Summit, laid down a vision for the ‘Africa they want’, including eight ideals, which were later translated into the seven aspirations of Agenda 2063

Government’s view on SDGs in view f the NDP O During the adoption of 2030 Development Agenda in 2015, President Zuma said, O “South Africa endorses the transformative post 2015 Development Agenda without any reservations. The triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality that the development agenda seeks to address is the primary focus of the South African government and people. The goals are also aligned to South Africa’s National Development Plan as well as to the African Union’s Agenda 2063.” O There is a view that the NDP influenced the content of the SDGs?

SA’s commitment: continued participation O SA participates in a number of global initiatives that support the implementation of SDG goals; e.g. O The President of Republic of South Africa, was invited by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), to the launch of the United Nations High-level Commission on Health, Employment and Economic Growth in March President Zuma co-chaired the High-level Commission with French Republic President, Mr Francois Hollande O The work of the Commission goes to the heart of implementing the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the African Union Agenda 2063

SA’s commitment: domestication process First step towards domestication is aligning the various Agendas with the national development plans or strategies: NB for implementation O Based on initial mapping process; degree of alignment is very strong O The Sustainable Development Goals mirror the National Development Plan very closely O Most of the targets and indicators under the SDGs are aligned with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) and Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF 2014 – 2019) O There is currently a process of further alignment of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 (its First Ten-Year Implementation Plan) with the NDP and the MTSF O The SDGs recognizes the different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respect national policies and priorities

6 Pillars of the NDP The objectives of the plan are the elimination of poverty and the reduction of inequality through O Uniting South Africans around a common programme to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality O Encourage an active citizenry, also in keeping government accountable O Raising economic growth, promoting exports and making the economy more labour absorbing O Focusing on key capabilities of both people and the country O Capabilities include skills, infrastructure, social security, strong institutions and partnerships both within the country and with key international partners O Building a capable and developmental state O Strong leadership throughout society that work together to solve our problems SPOT THE SIMILARITIES WITH THE SDGs PRINCIPLES 2015/03/23 7

Core theme of the NDP: achieving a decent standard of living for all by 2030

Alignment of NDP & SDGs Sustainable Development GoalNational Development Plan ChapterMTSF Chapter 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhereSocial Protection Social protection 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture An integrated and inclusive rural economy Comprehensive rural development and land reform 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Promoting health A long and healthy life for all 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Improving education, training and innovation Quality basic education 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Transforming society and uniting the country Nation building and social cohesion 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Ensuring environmental sustainability and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Building a Capable Developmental State Responsive, accountable, effective and efficient local government system 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Economy and Employment Decent employment through inclusive economic growth 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Economy and Employment Decent employment through inclusive economic growth

Alignment of NDP & SDGs 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries Positioning South Africa in the World Create a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Transforming human settlement and the national space economy Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Ensuring environmental sustainability and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Ensuring environmental sustainability and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Ensuring environmental sustainability and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Ensuring environmental sustainability and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels Building safer communities All people in South Africa are and feel safe 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Positioning South Africa in the World Create a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world

Domestication process: focus on implementation O Thus, SA doesn’t need to spend time on INTEGRATING, but should be focusing on other element of domesticating the different Agendas and implementation O In addition, will work within the current institutions – will not establish new ones O Will build on the experiences learned from the MDGs process, strengthen and broaden it O The national development plan and policies should shape the nature of the domestication of the financing of Africa Agenda 2063 and SDGs - done through both public and private sector financing. The National Budget highlights the priority areas to be financed and it also indicates the amounts allocated to the priority areas O SA will decide for themselves what their reform priorities are – some issues are more priorities for SA, but may not be priority for other African countries and vice versa O Implementation in some instances may require more detailed work to be done to guide implementation – lessons from NDP

Domestication process: Focus on implementation O Because there is greater alignment, focus should be on supporting implementation of the MTSF – 5 year plan of NDP O Initiatives that have started in support of implementation of the NDP should continue and be supported O Need to deal with transition issues O communicating the 2030 Agenda, most people still talk about MDGs O communications should address the interests and needs of a wide range of stakeholders, SDGs not just about government O need to spell out clearly that there is no contradiction between SDGs, Agenda 2063 and NDP

Domestication process: focus on implementation -multi-stakeholder partnerships O To deliver on the SDGs, Agenda 2063, NDP and other national/continental obligations there is need to partner, coordinate and collaborate; establish and strengthen partnerships that blends the strengths of governments, private sector, non-profit organisations; the scientific community, academia, philanthropy and foundations, parliaments, local authorities, volunteers and other stakeholders O Mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, complement the efforts of governments O Process of domestication will also deal with points of divergence – there is a few and will not have major impact O Consultations still needs to be done within government (National, Provincial, and Local), non-governmental organisations, the private sectors and civil societies to domesticate the SDGs and Agenda 2063

Conclusion O Some of the indicators under the international instruments are somewhat vague, and will have to be interpreted in a national context O More emphasis should be put on the quality of services measures, than access and quantity – lesson from MDGs O How to define quality indicators O need to urgently address communication issues with respect to transition from MDGs, emphasise the alignment of the different Agendas and focus on implementation and domestication