Proactive Release Date: 5 August 2019 The following Cabinet paper and related Cabinet minutes have been proactively released by the Minister of Foreign Affairs: First Voluntary National Review on New Zealand’s Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals: (CAB-19-MIN-223) He Waka Eke Noa Towards a Better Future, Together – New Zealand’s Progress Towards the SDGs 2019 – Draft Report: (GOV-19-MIN-024 refers) He Waka Eke Noa Towards a Better Future, Together – New Zealand’s Progress Towards the SDGs 2019 – Design templates Please note the delays in releasing these papers were owing to agency processes to finalise the documents for release. © Crown Copyright, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) CAB-19-MIN-0223 Cabinet Minute of Decision This document contains information for the New Zealand Cabinet. It must be treated in confidence and handled in accordance with any security classification, or other endorsement. The information can only be released, including under the Official Information Act 1982, by persons with the appropriate authority. Report of the Cabinet Government Administration and Expenditure Review Committee: Period Ended 10 May 2019 Affairs On 13 May 2019, Cabinet made the following decisions on the work of the Cabinet Government Administration and Expenditure Review Committee for the period ended 10 May 2019: GOV-19-MIN-0024 First Voluntary National Review on New Zealand’s CONFIRMED Progress Toward the Sustainable Development GoalsForeign Portfolio: Foreign Affairs of Out of scope Minister the by released Proactively 1 883jp3jkpp 2019-05-15 07:52:36 CAB-19-MIN-0223 Out of Scope s6(a) Affairs Foreign Michael Webster of Secretary of the Cabinet Hard-copy distribution: Cabinet Government Administration and Expenditure Review Committee Minister of Civil Defence Minister the by released Proactively 2 883jp3jkpp 2019-05-15 07:52:36 Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Chair, Cabinet Government Administration and Expenditure Review Committee (GOV) First Voluntary National Review on New Zealand’s Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals Affairs Proposal 1 That Cabinet approve the draft Voluntary National Review on New Zealand’s Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That Cabinet agree to release the draft Voluntary National Review (VNR) for public feedback and authoriseForeign the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign-off the final report ahead of submission to theof United Nations. Executive summary 2 New Zealand is scheduled to present its first VNR to the United Nations in July 2019 on progress with implementation of the SDGs. 3 The draft report (attached) has been prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), with input from a wide range ofMinister other government departments and the Stakeholder Reference Group. This paper seeks approval of the draft report. 4 This Cabinet paper proposes thatthe the draft report be released online for public feedback in May 2019. This paper further proposes that the final report be referred to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for sign-offby ahead of submission to the United Nations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will sign-off in consultation with relevant Ministers in the event of any substantive changes following public feedback. Background 5 In 2015, all United Nations member states, including New Zealand, adopted the 2030 Agenda, a blueprint for sustainable development which includes 17 Goals, referred to as the Sustainablereleased Development Goals or SDGs (Annex A). The SDGs serve as a global action plan to end poverty, promote peace and prosperity, and protect the planet. They apply to developed and developing countries alike. 6 While the SDGs are non-binding, each Member State committed to presenting two VNRs on progress towards the SDGs before 2030. New Zealand is scheduled to present its first VNR to the United Nations between 16 to 18 July 2019. The final text must be submitted to the UN by 14 June 2019. Proactively7 The VNR is a vehicle for reporting high-level progress in the context of Government policy and priorities for sustainable development, not for determining policy. The VNR showcases New Zealand’s approach to sustainable development and economic, environmental and social wellbeing, using an SDG framework. Domestically, the report will COMM-31-459 883jp3jkpp 2019-05-15 07:53:05 Page 2 of 9 provide context as to how the SDGs fit alongside New Zealand government policy. The VNR also provides an opportunity to outline New Zealand’s international contributions to sustainable development, particularly in the Pacific. 8 In December 2018, Cabinet agreed to the approach, structure and governance of the VNR (CAB-18-MIN-0605 refers). Preparation of the draft VNR 9 MFAT has led the preparation of the draft report (attached) with substantive input from a wide range of other government agencies. The draft report incorporates feedbackAffairs received from a cross-sectoral reference group of non-government stakeholders (the Stakeholder Reference Group). 10 The SDGs are framed within New Zealand’s approach to improving wellbeing and aspirations to build a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy. The draft VNR considers New Zealand’s implementation of each SDG at a high-level, taking into account the Government’s key priorities and clearly identifying challenges as Foreignwell as highlighting successes. This VNR will form part of the conversation within New ofZealand about the SDGs, and our approach to sustainable development, which will continue until 2030. 11 While predominantly a government report, the draft report includes a handful of case studies from outside government, sourced through a public request for input. Lead agencies (Annex B) have undertaken varying levels of stakeholder engagement on their particular content. 12 Public engagement is a core principle of theMinister 2030 Agenda. There is a risk of criticism that there has not been sufficient consultation in the development of the VNR. Countries undertaking VNRs have approached publicthe engagement in different ways. In New Zealand there is a considerable amount of consultation already under way across government on policies and issues relevant to theby SDGs. Those conversations have fed into the development of the VNR. 13 The design templates for the report are also attached for approval. The templates have been developed to be visually impactful and reflect New Zealand’s unique identity while complementing the existing SDG branding. The design elements will be also used by MFAT on social media to promote the VNR. 14 The draft reportreleased and design have been considered by relevant Government agencies, approved by the Deputy Chief Executives Measuring Progress Steering Group and are presented to Cabinet for approval. 15 This paper seeks approval for the draft report to be made available on MFAT’s “Have Your Say” website for public feedback from 14 to 26 May 2019. Providing an opportunity for feedback will allow members of the wider public to engage directly with the VNR process. The timeframe for comment is, however, tight due to the 14 June UN deadline for Proactivelysubmission of the report. 16 Changes to the report may be made on the basis of the public feedback. As the report reflects current government work streams, and the Stakeholder Reference Group COMM-31-459 883jp3jkpp 2019-05-15 07:53:05 Page 3 of 9 has not raised substantive issues, any changes following public feedback are anticipated to be minor. Amendments may also be required to incorporate Budget decisions. 17 This paper proposes that the Minister of Foreign Affairs be authorised to sign-off the final report for submission to the United Nations, provided there are no substantive changes to the report. 18 Should substantive changes be required, the final report would be finalised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in consultation with relevant Ministers. 19 A shadow report is likely to be prepared by New Zealand community groups. Shadow reports are an important part of accountability. There is no process for officialAffairs submission of shadow reports to the UN, but accredited NGOs may pose questions to New Zealand during the presentation. The feedback process may provide some indication as to the likely nature of those questions. Consultation Foreign 20 The draft report was prepared with input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Conservation, Department of Prime Ministerof and Cabinet, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Ministry for Women, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Primary Industries, Ministry of Social Development, Office for Disability Issues, Statistics New Zealand, Te Arawhiti, Te Puni Kōkiri, and Treasury. 21 Feedback on the draft report has additionallyMinister been sought from the Stakeholder Reference Group. This Group includes members from the business community, NGOs, academia, youth and Māori representation.the 22 The proposed public feedback on the draft report will provide an opportunity for a wider range of stakeholders to provideby input. Financial implications 23 Nil. The minimal costs associated with the VNR are covered by agency baselines. Human rights 22 There are releasedno inconsistencies with the Human Rights Act 1993 and New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. Legislative implications 24 Nil Regulatory impact analysis Proactively25 Not required. COMM-31-459 883jp3jkpp 2019-05-15 07:53:05 Page 4 of 9 Gender implications 26 Gender is both a specific SDG and a cross-cutting issue within the 2030 Agenda. Gender is an important dimension and is considered in many of the goals throughout New Zealand’s VNR, creating greater awareness of gender issues across government. Disability perspective 27 Disability is not the subject of a specific SDG but a number of the Goals, Targets and Indicators include reference to persons with disabilities. Affairs Publicity 28 It is proposed that the draft report will be posted on MFAT’s “Have Your Say’ website, and promoted through social media.