Commission for Europe; Ms.Cihan Sultanoglu, Chair of the UN Development Group for Europe and Central Asia, and Regional Director UNDP; Mr. Michael Gerber, Special Representative of Switzerland for Global Sustainable Development, and Mr. Kadir Topbash, Mayor of İstanbul and Member of the UN Secretary-Generals High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
The Regional Consultation is a cooperative effort organized and supported by the Turkish government and about a dozen UN entities active in the region, with the core team consisting of UNECE, UNEP, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, WHO, UNFPA and IOM.The meeting started on 6 November with a civil society consultation. On November the 7th, the launch of the consultations began at Dedeman Istanbul Hotel. The consultations took place under the auspices and participation of Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz Minister of Development, Republic of Turkey; Mr. Sven Alkalaj, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic The aim was to bring stakeholders from across the Europe and Central Asia together to provide a regional perspective on priorities that should be contained in the post-2015 agenda.
The consultations took place under the auspices and participation of Mr. Cevdet Yilmaz , Minister of Development, Republic of Turkey; Mr. Sven Alkalaj, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe; Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, Chair of the UN Development Group for Europe and Central Asia, and Regional Director UNDP; Mr. Michael Gerber, Special Representative of Switzerland for Global Sustainable Development, and Mr. Kadir Topbaş, Mayor of İstanbul and Member of the UN Secretary-General s High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
IEPF representatives Umud Mirzayev and Ruslana Aliyeva also participated in these events where they sounded the questions, comments and suggestions, explored and contributed to the following topics during the discussions:
* Education and decent jobs
* Health and social protection
* Population dynamics and migration
* Sustainable consumption and production
* Natural resource management and green cities
* Good governance, human rights, participation and the role of local government in sustainable development
* Monitoring progress in sustainable development
Across the globe, Europe and Central Asia included, discussions amongst all stakeholders about the new development framework were held in the hopes that the new agenda will resonate with the needs and priorities of all. Joining efforts and actively participation of representatives of all regions are the major conditions for the greatest effectiveness of these activities and the achievement of sustainable development goals.