The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the United Nations University (UNU) – supported by the German Mission to the UN – organized a joint conference on “Measuring Sustainable Development” at the German House and UN headquarters in New York in April 2015. The conference addressed the role science (should) have in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.

On the panel of the fourth session, Dr. Marianne Beisheim presented the results of the SFB700-D1 research project with regard to ownership. She highlighted the importance of ownership on three levels: Looking at the UN level in terms of debating and negotiating during the goal setting process, she welcomed that the SDG process was more bottom up than the MDG process. The SDG process was more state-led and country driven and countries are now defending the proposal of the Open Working Group, signaling country ownership. Equally important is the implementation at the national level. Here, political will as well as commitment by the decision makers and the participation of local stakeholder play major roles. Beisheim stressed that the feeling of ownership depends on the participation of the affected stakeholders. Last but not least, the monitoring and review processes on local, national and international level have a significant meaning for the successful implementation of the SDGs. Participatory citizen monitoring and reporting could strengthen local ownership by driving and informing the SGD implementation of local governments as well as informing the international level about the (lack) of progress when implementing the SGSs.

Click here to view the video of the panel on ownership online.