BACKGROUND
In May 2014, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) assumed the role of national focal point for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. This arose from its lead role in the process of monitoring the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Internally, the PIOJ designated the Social Policy Planning and Research Division (SPPRD), specifically the Population and Health Unit, to lead the process on its behalf. In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT), the PIOJ facilitated the establishment of a multi-ministerial working group to coordinate the national process.
The global process, on the other hand, can be conveniently categorized into three distinct phases. Phase 1 involved the process of intergovernmental negotiations which was launched at the beginning of the 69th Session of the General Assembly in September 2014. This culminated in the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015. Phase 2 involves a process of formulating an agreed system of indicators for monitoring the implementation of Agenda 2030. Phase 3 involves the formulation and implementation of strategies for the 17 Goals for sustainable development and monitoring their progress.
Arising from these processes, a National Outcome Document was prepared, through a highly consultative process, which aligned Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan with the post-2015 development framework. Vision 2030 Jamaica was utilized as the framework agenda and priority setting for the local multi-agency consultations on the post-2015 development agenda. This approach facilitated a seamless integration of the agreed outcomes and targets of the post-2015 development agenda into: (i) the national development planning framework; and (ii) the systems for monitoring and evaluation of the achievement of development outcomes. During this exercise, it became evident that the proposed global goals were aligned with the 15 national outcomes of Vision 2030 Jamaica.
Through this process, Jamaica contributed to the finalization of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A concerted effort was made throughout the deliberations to ensure that all proposed goals and targets were in keeping with existing national policies, programmes and legislation. Careful consideration was also made to identify as well as align targets to those reflected in Vision 2030 Jamaica and the Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) 2015–2018. The proposed goals sought to address new and emerging developmental challenges based on global consultations. The National Outcome Document was used as the negotiating framework for all national delegations to the meetings and negotiations for the post-2015 development agenda.