Post 2015: Global Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future

tackling global challenges. While some countries
are already benefiting from stronger South–South
relations, integrating this positive movement into
a coordinated effort with the oDa approach of
traditional donors requires new thinking and
adjustments. Global economic imbalances may
re-emerge in the absence of improved global
coordination and thus threaten economic stability.
the graduation of lIcs to middle-income status
over the past 15 years means that in absolute
terms there are many more people in mIcs who
are living in poverty (chapter 5). at the same time
and despite recent improvements, extreme poverty
remains pervasive in SSa and particularly in fragile
states, including in countries making more overall
progress while vulnerable groups remain a shock
away from falling back into poverty. In mIcs, with
their growing middle classes, income inequality
is typically high and constitutes a key obstacle to
faster progress on a range of development issues.
over whatever timespan might be agreed, a
post-2015 global development framework must
expect to cater for various rather different sets of
circumstances: continuing to support the poorest
countries, where the eradication of extreme poverty
may still be the main challenge, and fragile states
with their own specific problems, but also supporting
those countries that need to tackle the challenges of
relative poverty and persistent inequality.
Future demographic, economic and environmental
trends provide a stark reminder of the enormous
challenges the world confronts (chapter 6).
Global demographic pressures are intensifying,
and population ageing potentially threatens
living standards in advanced and some emerging
economies. the youth bulge in SSa can be seen as
either a golden opportunity or as a destabilising
threat. the outcome will hinge on whether the
right enabling conditions are in place, such as
the provision of high-quality education and the
existence of productive employment opportunities.
Similarly, fast urban growth in SSa and asia
presents significant opportunities, because it can
facilitate service delivery and stimulate economic
activity. However, it may also have negative effects if
people cannot find decent work and public services
cannot respond to increased demands (e.g. for
decent and affordable housing and utilities).
perhaps most important of all, various
environmental ‘planetary boundaries’ will be
breached if current consumption patterns persist,
especially in the wealthier economies. climate change
and resource scarcity will severely undermine the
prospects for the world economy and may create the
conditions for social and political instability (ErD,
2012). While commodity prices might be a blessing
for resource-rich countries, the resulting revenues
need to be invested in diversifying the economy and
promoting structural transformation (chapter 8).
unless such global challenges are tackled urgently
they will have knock-on effects in other areas and
may well reverse achievements in reducing poverty.
Inclusive and sustainable development implies an
overall vision of what needs to be achieved in all
these circumstances, but the way in which this
vision is articulated and addressed will necessarily
vary according to the specific circumstances.
the evidence gathered in this report relating
to the mDG experience and the future challenges
facing developing countries thus provides a robust
case for a new global development framework. the
largely positive experience with the mDGs suggests
that there is significant value in having a framework
to monitor development progress and harness
global support around a set of common objectives.
moreover, the growing threats and potential
opportunities facing developing countries, especially
the poorest and most vulnerable among them,
underline the need for a resolute and progressive
post-2015 agenda. recent stakeholder surveys also
suggest that in many developing countries there is
considerable support for a post-2015 development
framework (vandemoortele, 2012).
poSt-2015: Global actIon For an IncluSIvE anD SuStaInablE FuturE
The largely
positive
experience with
the MDGs
suggests that
there is
significant value
in having a
framework
to monitor
development
progress and
harness global
support around
a set of common
objectives.
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