September: General Assembly and related events on MDGs, sustainable development and the post-2015 agenda

At the 68th session of the General Assembly, which opens September 17, 2013, the theme will be "The Post -2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage."

On this occasion, several events related to the MDGs and post-2015 will be held at UN Headquarters.

At a time of a real mobilization of governments, civil society and citizens from all over the world to achieve the MDGs, these events represent a decisive step for the continuation of such efforts and the implementation of an ambitious post-2015 development agenda.

In this context, the discussions will mainly focus on the acceleration of the achievement of MDGs, the development of an inclusive and universal post-2015 development agenda and the promotion of sustainable development and the implementation of the decisions of Rio+20.

Here is an overview of the activities that will take place during the high-level week:

• The Secretary-General will hold a day-long event on MDG Success: Accelerating Action, Partnering for Impact, which will highlight several high-profile initiatives including Every Woman Every Child, Zero Hunger Challenge, Scaling Up Nutrition, Global Education First and the Deputy Secretary-General's Call to Action on Sanitation on 23 September.
• On 25 September, the Secretary-General will present his new report on accelerating progress towards the MDGs and advancing the UN development agenda beyond 2015 "A Life of Dignity for All" to Member States at the President of the General Assembly's Special Event on the MDGs on 25 September.
• The President of the General Assembly will hold a Special Event on the MDGs on 25 September, at which Member States will also take up the roadmap to the post-2015 agenda.

Other related events on MDGs, sustainable development and the post-2015 agenda will also be held during the month of September:

• On 16 September, the Development Committee of the European Parliament will organize an exchange of views on "Reducing Risks in Post-2015: EU perspectives on Building Resilience of Communities in Disasters", featuring the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for DRR, Margareta Wahlström and EU Commissioner Georgieva.
• The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit will meet from 19-20 September 2013, in New York City, US, to coincide with the opening of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly.
• The 20th and final session of the Commission on Sustainable Development will be held on 20 September.
• The General Assembly will hold a High-level Meeting on Disability and Development on 23 September, on the theme: "The way forward: a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond".
• The first meeting of the newly established High-level Political Forum on sustainable development will hold its first meeting on 24 September.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will release the first part of its four-part report on the physical science of climate change, at a press conference in Stockholm on 27 September.
• The Secretary-General will also announce his plans for a 2014 Climate Summit in his address to the General Assembly on 24 September.
• On 28 September, the Global Citizen Festival will draw attention to the Millennium Development Goals and commitments to health, education, equality for women and girls, and global partnerships.

For more information about upcoming events related to the MDGs, sustainable development and the post-2015 agenda:

• Millennium Developpement Goals (UN official website)
• Post-2015 Policy & Practice (International Institute for Sustainable Development)