Beyond 2015 has released their response to the Focus Areas of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. The global civil society campaign's rebuttle expresses concern about: the prioritization of  economic growth; no concrete commitment to a universal agenda; and the lack of ambition on human rights and inequality.

The Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals held its 9th session from March 3-5 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The 3 day meeting marked the beginning of the OWG's 'output phase', where it will develop its final report, which will include recommendations for the SDGs. During the session delegates considered a list of 19 Focus Areas for the global goals, conducted a joint meeting with the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing and received feedback from Major Groups and other stakeholders on its Focus Areas.

On 13 and 14 February 2014, over 150 civil society representatives gathered in Brussels at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to voice and discuss their positions on the post-2015 development agenda. Participants from local, regional and national authorities, EU and UN level policy-makers, social partners, organisations and networks active in the field of development, the environment, human rights, agriculture and consumer protection; industry, business and academia brought a wealth of perspectives into the debate.

The Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals wants to hear your feedback on its focus areas for the post-2015 global goals. If you would like to provide comments on the 19 focus areas, you can do so through the worldwewant2015 web platform. The online consultation will run until March 14 and interested stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments by answering the following questions:

The Co-Chairs of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals have released their focus areas for the post-2015 global goals. The 19 focus areas identified within the report are not exhaustive and do not preclude inclusion of other issues discussed with the context of the thematic clusters. The report does not constitute a zero draft of the report that the group will submit to the General Assembly, it is instead meant to guide the forthcoming sessions of the OWG to identify SDGs and accompanying targets.