Informal Interactive Hearings of NGOs, civil society and the private sector to take place on 14-15 June 2010 in NY

10th June 2010, Barcelona,– As part of the process leading up to the UN MDG Summit on 20-22 September, the United Nations General Assembly is convening on 14-15 June interactive hearings with representatives of NGOs, civil society and the private sector. The outcomes of these hearings will be integrated into the discussions at the September MDGs+10 Summit in New York and will be issued as an Assembly document.

The hearings will be a chance for civil society actors to lay down expectations and put forward recommendations on how to accelerate the progress towards the full accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The office of the President of the General Assembly has also called into being a Task Force composed of 13 representatives from civil society and the private sector to advise him on the format and participation at the hearings.

The discussions will be held in four sessions, each devoted to a different theme. The themes have been put forward by the President of the General Assembly after consultation with the Task Force as well as the UN Member States. The participants will debate upon the following:

1.    Building a better tomorrow: local actions, national strategies and global structures
2.    Equal and inclusive partnerships: Accountability in the fight against poverty
3.    Sustaining development and withstanding crises
4.    From voice to policy: 1660 days left

This year passes 10 years when the Millennium Development Goals were convened and accepted by all UN nations. The 2010 Summit in New York is expected to thoroughly review the progress made so far, identify the reasons for lagging behind and determine new pathways to pursue.

For the list of the participants click here

For the themes of the hearings click here